The CARINA project has published its 7th newsletter, bringing together the latest updates from across the consortium.

This edition features recent project activities, scientific publications, dissemination events and stakeholder engagement initiatives, highlighting ongoing work to promote camelina and carinata as sustainable crops supporting diversified agricultural systems and Europe’s bio-based economy.

Whether you have been following CARINA from the beginning or are discovering the project for the first time, the newsletter provides a concise overview of our latest progress and achievements.

Read the newsletter here.

Project partner Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) has published a new article presenting key findings from the CARINA Environmental Assessment Report (D3.4), focusing on sustainability pathways for bio-based value chains.
The report combines Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) with the RSB Principles & Criteria framework to assess environmental, social and economic aspects of camelina-based production systems. The research particularly examined camelina cultivation on marginal land and analysed how regional conditions, farming practices and value chain integration influence sustainability outcomes.
Among the main findings, the study highlights:
• the importance of integrating camelina strategically within existing agricultural systems,
• the role of fertilisation practices as a major environmental hotspot,
• and the need for context-specific approaches rather than universal solutions for sustainable bioeconomy development.
The report also emphasises that the same feedstock can produce different sustainability outcomes depending on local agronomic, economic and regulatory conditions, underlining the importance of robust sustainability assessment frameworks and credible certification systems.
The article demonstrates how CARINA contributes to the development of scientifically grounded and practically applicable pathways for sustainable bio-based value chains in Europe.
Read the full article here: https://rsb.org/2026/04/21/carina-environmental-assessment-report-context-specific-strategies-for-bio-based-value-chains/

On 14 April 2026, an open day dedicated to camelina cultivation took place at the Innovation Centre of Daimiel in Ciudad Real Spain. The event was organised by Camelina Company within the framework of the CARINA project, in collaboration with Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias de Castilla-La Mancha.  

The initiative aimed to present ongoing research activities related to camelina cultivation and to introduce participants to the trial fields located at “Las Encinas”. Cooperative members interested in crop diversification and innovative agricultural solutions attended the event.  During the field visit, Camelina Company technicians presented several commercial variety trials and demonstrated differences linked to sowing dates, seed densities and crop management practices, including fertilisation and crop protection approaches. Participants also had the opportunity to exchange experiences and discuss the role of camelina as a low-input crop suitable for diversified and resilient agricultural systems.  

The Faculty of Agriculture, Horticulture and Biotechnology at Poznań University of Life Sciences (PULS) has created a video presenting the project objectives and the potential of the crops.

The video explains how camelina and carinata can be incorporated into existing cropping systems, creating new opportunities for farmers while supplying sustainable feedstocks for bio-based industries. It also highlights their contribution to crop diversification, resource-efficient land use, and the development of innovative bio-based products that support a circular economy.

Discover how the CARINA project is helping shape the future of sustainable agriculture. By integrating innovative oilseed crops like camelina and carinata into diversified farming systems, CARINA supports more resilient and diversified farming. Watch the video and learn more:

The UNTWIST project has officially launched the Plant Adaptation Hub, a new online platform designed to support research and innovation in camelina. The hub provides access to a wide range of data, tools, and resources aimed at advancing climate-resilient crop development and sustainable agricultural practices.

The platform brings together genetic, phenotypic, and environmental data, enabling users to explore and analyse key characteristics of camelina. It also offers tools for data analysis, visualisation, and comparison, supporting scientists, breeders, agronomists, and industry stakeholders in their work.

By facilitating access to research outputs and datasets, the hub contributes to improving crop performance, supporting precision breeding, and enhancing decision-making in agriculture. It represents an important step towards strengthening collaboration and knowledge exchange within the camelina research community.

Initiatives such as the UNTWIST Plant Adaptation Hub complement the objectives of the CARINA project, which focuses on promoting resilient, low-input oilseed crops and building sustainable bio-based value chains.

The platform is available at: www.camelina-hub.org

The 2nd International Camelina Conference (ICC Málaga 2026) will take place on 10–11 July 2026 in Málaga, Spain, bringing together leading experts and stakeholders from across the camelina value chain.

Participants will have the opportunity to attend the conference either onsite in Málaga or online, making the event accessible to a global audience.

As camelina continues to gain recognition as a sustainable oilseed crop, the conference will provide a platform to explore the latest scientific and technological developments supporting its role in food, feed, fuel, and industrial applications.

The programme will cover a wide range of topics, including genetics and molecular breeding, plant physiology, agronomy, environmental adaptability, oil quality, biotechnology, and policy. Participants will include researchers, breeders, farmers, industry representatives, and policymakers, fostering a multidisciplinary exchange of knowledge and experience.

ICC Málaga 2026 will also offer valuable opportunities to build international partnerships, strengthen collaboration, and address key challenges and opportunities related to the large-scale deployment of camelina.

Conference website: https://www.icc2026malaga.com/ICC2026

On 25 March 2025, PEDAL Consulting participated in the WE.Circular Pop-up Store event held at the AC Hotel Bratislava. The international event gathered around 70 participants from across Europe, including entrepreneurs, innovators, experts, and practitioners engaged in circular economy, sustainable business models, and women’s entrepreneurship.
The event provided a dynamic platform combining exhibition, networking, and knowledge exchange, enabling participants to present their solutions and exchange ideas on sustainability and circular innovation.
PEDAL Consulting hosted a dedicated exhibition table, where several EU-funded projects were presented, including CARINA. Visitors had the opportunity to learn more about the project’s objectives, ongoing activities, and its contribution to circular, bio-based value chains through crops such as camelina and carinata.
Throughout the day, the programme featured presentations, interactive discussions, and informal networking sessions. A strong focus was placed on empowering women entrepreneurs and supporting innovative, sustainability-driven business ideas.
The event offered valuable opportunities to engage directly with stakeholders, raise awareness about CARINA and related initiatives, and explore potential collaborations. It also enabled the collection of feedback from a diverse audience, contributing to the continuous development and relevance of project activities.
Participation in the WE.Circular Pop-up Store highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration and community-driven innovation in advancing the circular economy and bringing project results closer to real-world applications.

The CARINA project will be represented at the upcoming European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (EUBCE), taking place from 19–22 May 2026 in The Hague, The Netherlands.

EUBCE is one of Europe’s leading events dedicated to biomass, bioenergy, and the bioeconomy, bringing together researchers, industry representatives, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the globe.

During the event, CARINA partners will present research and results related to camelina and carinata, highlighting their potential as sustainable oilseed crops for biofuels, bio-based products, and circular agricultural systems.

These contributions will cover topics such as agronomy, biomass valorisation, sustainability assessment, and the role of resilient crops in supporting Europe’s transition towards a low-carbon and resource-efficient economy.

Participation in EUBCE provides an important opportunity to connect with the wider bioeconomy community, share project insights, and strengthen collaboration with key stakeholders working towards sustainable energy and agricultural solutions.

More information about the event: https://www.eubce.com/

CRES (Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving) participated in Agrotica 2026 in Thessaloniki, held from 12 to 15 March, where its Biomass and Geothermal Departments showcased activities supporting sustainable agriculture.
As part of the event, a workshop organised on 13 March focused on crops with improved resilience to climate change. The session presented research and results from several projects, including CARINA, WaterMellon PRIMA, MIDAS, IASIS, RUNFASTER4EU, SNUG and DIMITRA Life.
The workshop provided an opportunity to exchange knowledge on innovative cropping systems and explore solutions that support the transition towards more resilient and sustainable agricultural practices.
The event also highlighted the importance of collaboration among research organisations, experts and stakeholders in advancing climate-adaptive agriculture.

At the beginning of December 2025, the Università di Bologna (UNIBO) organised a training course for Master’s students within the framework of the CARINA project. The activity formed part of the project’s training and dissemination efforts, aiming to strengthen links between research and higher education.
The approximately five-hour session included an overview of the CARINA project, detailed presentations on the field trials being carried out, and a discussion of the main results obtained so far. The training provided students with insights into sustainable farming practices, crop diversification and bio-based value chains developed within the project.
Around 20 students enrolled in the Master’s degree programme in Agricultural Sciences and Technologies attended the course. The initiative contributed to building knowledge and awareness among future agricultural professionals, while supporting CARINA’s objective of disseminating project results to academic and training audiences.