The project proposes to cultivate selected halophyte species on soils with high salinity in order to develop new value chains from the biomass obtained. Research activities will be focussed on monitoring the degree of soil purification, biomass and seed yields and their chemical composition.

The obtained biomass will be investigated for the possibilities of extracting fibres for the production of new composite materials, sugars for fermentative processes (e.g. bioethanol production), active biomolecules and micronutrients for the development of new pharmaceutical and/or nutritional products, seed oils for sustainable biodiesel synthesis. Wastes resulting from extraction or pre-treatment processes are transformed into bioproducts (briquettes, etc.). The process efficiency in terms of biomass production, soil remediation, biomass conversion, material and energy utilisation is the main activity for each step of the integrated technology development aiming at the optimal solution for sustainability.

Thus, the HaloSYS project proposes applied research activities with a high potential for knowledge transfer as an alternative economic solution for the restoration of agricultural land affected by salt water during coastal flooding, intensive farming practices or climate change pressures (aridisation phenomena).

Two SMEs are involved in life-cycle assessment of biomass crops, soil quality management and biomass conversion technologies, and assessment of the reduction of the environmental footprint of agriculture.