Dr. Frederick Lia and Karen Attard

Closed-loop hydrocarbon extraction is an efficient and selective technique for recovering non-polar compounds from complex matrices, with growing relevance in olive mill waste (OMW) valorisation. Hydrocarbons, composed solely of carbon and hydrogen, range from simple alkanes to complex aromatic structures and are widely used in industrial applications due to their chemical stability [1].

Traditional separation methods such as cryogenic distillation and open solvent extraction suffer from high energy demand, solvent loss, and environmental impact [2]. Closed-loop systems overcome these limitations by operating under sealed, pressurised conditions that enable full solvent recovery. Liquefied hydrocarbons such as n-butane and n-propane selectively dissolve lipophilic compounds, while continuous recirculation enhances mass transfer and reduces emissions, aligning with green chemistry principles [3,4].

These systems consist of integrated components including a solvent tank, extraction column, collection vessel, recovery pump, and vacuum system. Under subcritical conditions, compounds such as lipids, waxes, and terpenes are extracted, and solvent removal occurs under mild thermal or vacuum conditions due to low boiling points, preserving thermolabile compounds and improving product quality [4].

Applications include petroleum recovery (e.g., VAPEX), supercritical extraction of hydrocarbons from sludges, and analytical workflows requiring containment of volatile compounds [3,5,6]. However, in OMW research, focus has largely remained on polyphenol recovery via membranes or liquid–liquid extraction [7]. The hydrocarbon-based recovery of lipophilic fractions remains underexplored despite its potential.

Key advantages include high efficiency, solvent recyclability, reduced energy consumption, and improved extract quality. Limitations include safety concerns due to flammability, reduced efficiency for heavier fractions, and challenges in scale-up [8,9].

Overall, closed-loop hydrocarbon extraction represents a promising yet underutilised approach for integrated OMW valorisation, supporting circular bioeconomy strategies through combined recovery of polar and non-polar fractions.

Funding

Funding Project ‘A Complete Sustainable Route For The Utilization Of Olive Pomance: Production Of Bioactive Spurt Inhibtors And Alternative Proteins - SustainOlive’ financed by Xjenza Malta -TÜBİTAK Joint Call for R&I Proposals, 2024 Call.

References

1. Ponce-Espinosa, H., Ponce-Cruz, P. & Molina, A., 2013. Artificial Hydrocarbon Networks. In: Artificial Organic Networks: Artificial Intelligence Based on Carbon Networks. Studies in Computational Intelligence, Vol. 521. Springer, pp. 73–111. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-37844- 1_4

2. Yang, L., Qian, S., Wang, X., Cui, X., Chen, B. & Xing, H., 2020. Energy-efficient separation alternatives: metal–organic frameworks and membranes for hydrocarbon separation. Chemical Society Reviews, 49(15), pp.5359–5406. https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CS00289A

3. Butler, R.M. & Mokrys, I.J., 1998. Closed-loop extraction method for the recovery of heavy oils and bitumens underlain by aquifers: The VAPEX process. Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology, 37(4). DOI: 10.2118/98-04-04

4. Wu, Y., Wei, S. & Xi, J., 2025. Liquefied petroleum gas extraction: an innovative, green, and sustainable approach for extracting natural lipophilic compounds. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 24(9), e70258. https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.70258

5. Ávila-Chávez, M.A., Eustaquio-Rincón, R., Reza, J. & Trejo, A., 2007. Extraction of hydrocarbons from crude oil tank bottom sludges using supercritical ethane. Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, 29(23), pp.2327–2345. DOI: 10.1080/01496390701446449

6. Lucke, R.B., Campbell, J.A., Ross, G.A., Goheen, S.C. & Hoppe, E.W., 1993. Closed-system, solid-phase extraction cleanup method for removal of normal paraffin hydrocarbon from samples prior to purge-and-trap volatile analysis. Analytical Chemistry, 65(17), pp.2420– 2424. DOI: 10.1021/ac00065a024

7. Tapia-Quirós, P., Montenegro-Landívar, M.F., Reig, M., Vecino, X., Saurina, J., Granados, M. and Cortina, J.L., 2022. Integration of membrane processes for the recovery and separation of polyphenols from winery and olive mill wastes using green solvent-based processing. Journal of Environmental Management, 307, 114555. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114555

8. Monin, J.C., Barth, D., Perrut, M., Espitalié, M. & Durand, B., 1988. Extraction of hydrocarbons from sedimentary rocks by supercritical carbon dioxide. Organic Geochemistry, 13(4–6), pp.1079–1086. DOI: 10.1016/0146-6380(88)90292-6

9. Song, Y., Furtos, A., Fuoco, D., Boumghar, Y. & Patience, G.S., 2022. Meta-analysis and review of cannabinoids extraction and purification techniques. The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 101(6), pp.3108–3131. https://doi.org/10.1002/cjce.24786

Building on its digital infrastructure, the second phase of the SOLEATECH project—developed in collaboration with Bahçeşehir University (Türkiye) and funded under the bilateral call PRIMA Xjenza Malta–TÜBİTAK 2023—focuses on transforming raw data into actionable insights through Artificial Intelligence. By integrating advanced analytics into a Decision Support System, the project empowers farmers to make precise, timely decisions.

Two core AI models drive this innovation. A Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model forecasts soil water potential, enabling proactive irrigation planning. In parallel, an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) evaluates environmental variables to predict olive quality, categorizing outputs into four performance levels. To enhance accuracy and scalability, techniques such as Principal Component Analysis reduce data complexity while maintaining predictive power.

To bridge the gap between technology and practice, the system incorporates a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making framework. This approach combines AI output with agronomic expertise, identifying irrigation strategy as the most critical factor for productivity.

The expected impact is significant: a 20% increase in productivity alongside a 20% reduction in water use and operational costs. Beyond efficiency, SOLEATECH supports knowledge transfer and policy development, contributing to the long-term sustainability of Mediterranean olive farming.

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TRANSCAN-4 pre‑announces the First Joint Transnational Call (JTC 2026) on the topic of:

"Translational Research on Cancer Metabolism: Multidisciplinary Approaches for Diagnosis and Treatment"

TRANSCAN-4, in continuity of the preceding ERA-NET TRANSCAN-3, has the goal of coordinating national and regional funding programmes for research in the area of translational cancer research. The specific challenge is to promote a transnational collaborative approach between scientific teams in demanding areas of translational cancer research to ensure a more efficient use of available resources (e.g. data, infrastructures) and ultimately to produce results of higher quality and impact.

🧮The TRANSCAN-4 JTC-2026 will be implemented through a two-stage submission procedure: pre-proposals and full proposals.

📢The call is planned to be formally launched on 20 May 2026

⌛Submission deadline for pre-proposals in 21 July 2026.

🏁It is expected that consortia invited to the full-proposal stage will be asked to submit their proposal in 13 January 2027.

Xjenza Malta is one of the TRANSCAN-4 funding organisations participating in the JTC-2026.

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In January 2024, the Department of Electrical Engineering of the University of Malta, started work on the project SGdrive, funded by Xjenza Malta. The project’s full title is High Reliability and High Power Density Starter/Generator System for MEA (SGdrive) and is headed by Prof Inġ Michael Galea. The project aimed to address technical challenges in designing starter-generator systems for More Electric Aircraft (MEA). Key technical achievements include lightweight design, high-efficiency thermal management, modular high-fault-tolerant systems, and high-reliability operation control strategies. The University of Malta's focus lies in novel lifetime modeling and prediction techniques, contributing to advancements in aviation electrification technologies.

Beyond its technical achievements, the SGdrive project has also delivered an important and perhaps less visible impact: the transfer of knowledge across industries. Although the project focused on electrical machine design for aerospace applications, many of the insights gained have proven highly relevant to other sectors, most notably automotive electrification.

Engineers and researchers involved in SGdrive were able to apply lessons learned from designing high-performance starter-generator systems for aircraft to the development of electrical machines for automotive use. Challenges such as achieving high power density, managing heat effectively, and ensuring long-term reliability under demanding conditions are shared across both fields. By leveraging advanced modelling techniques and reliability-focused design approaches developed at the University of Malta, the team was able to inform and improve the design of an automotive electrical machine, as later presented in a peer-review publication (DOI 10.1109/ICEM60801.2024.10700291).

This cross-sector knowledge transfer highlights how innovation in one field can accelerate progress in another. In particular, it shows how cutting-edge aerospace research can contribute to the advancement of cleaner and more efficient road transport technologies. The SGdrive project therefore not only advances the state of the art in aviation systems, but also supports broader efforts towards electrification and sustainability in the automotive industry.

For more information, please contact the principal investigator Prof Inġ M. Galea on michael.d.galea@um.edu.mt or the Department of Electrical Engineering on ele.eng@um.edu.mt.

For centuries, olive cultivation has been rooted in tradition. Today, however, climate change is disrupting this balance, with heatwaves and water scarcity threatening both yield and quality. In response, the SOLEATECH project - developed by WES TRADE LTD (Malta) and Bahçeşehir University (Türkiye) under the bilateral call PRIMA Xjenza Malta- TÜBİTAK 2023 - is introducing a new paradigm: data-driven olive farming.

The first phase of the project focused on establishing a “Digital Twin” of olive orchards through the deployment of advanced IoT infrastructure. Using the IRRIGOPTIMAL platform, solar-powered Smart Nodes equipped with soil moisture, nutrient, and weather sensors were installed across pilot sites in Malta and Türkiye. This system enabled continuous, real-time monitoring of hyper-local environmental conditions.

A key scientific breakthrough emerged from this phase: the identification of the “Microclimate Gap.” Data analysis showed that regional weather models can overestimate orchard temperatures up to 8°C. This discrepancy can lead to inefficient irrigation decisions and unnecessary stress on crops.

By validating the importance of localized data, SOLEATECH demonstrated that precision agriculture must rely on field-level intelligence rather than generalized forecasts. This foundational phase sets the stage for advanced analytics and AI-driven decision-making in modern olive farming.

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The Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETPartnership) is announcing its fifth annual call, Joint Call 2026. The call is launched in collaboration with funding organisations and programme owners across Europe and beyond. The annual calls align national and regional funding programmes and enable transnational collaboration across the energy value chain. 

The CETPartnership is an RDI programme that supports the transition towards a climate-neutral and sustainable European energy system.

General information about the application process

The Joint Call 2026 is structured into 11 Call Modules. These modules cover different thematic areas, scopes, RDI types, and Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). More information on topics under Joint Call 2026 will be made available leading up to the Call Launch event.

The call consists of a two-stage application process. First, a submission of a pre-proposal, followed by an invitation to submit a full proposal. 

• Stage 1: Submission of a pre-proposal
  A project consortium chooses one Call Module for the pre-proposal (scroll further to find the name of this year's Call Modules). If the pre-proposal is selected, the project consortium is invited to submit a full proposal.

• Stage 2: Submission of a full proposal
  Only if the pre-proposal is invited to participate in Stage 2 can the applicants begin preparing a full proposal.

Funding for Joint Call 2026 is a collaboration with funding organisations and programme owners, who will fund eligible costs directly to Beneficiary Partners based in their country/region. 
Applicants must therefore comply with the specific national/regional eligibility criteria and requirements, which can be found in the call text. Several funding organisations can require submission of a proposal at national/regional level. 

After the selection of projects from the full proposal stage, the funding organisations are responsible for contracting and processing payments.

General information about eligibility criteria and requirements

The Joint Call includes the following eligibility criteria and requirements:

• Transnational eligibility requirements, applicable for all project consortia applying to the Call.

• Call Module requirements, applicable for project consortia applying to Call Modules with specific thematic requirements.

• National/regional requirements, applicable for partners applying for funding from Funding Agencies in the Call.

All Project Consortium Partners are encouraged to carefully check all eligibility criteria and requirements, which will be outlined in the call text. Different Call Modules and different Funding Agencies may support different types of entities, TRLs, etc. 

Upon a successful full proposal, it is important for applicants to know that payment will be provided directly through the respective funding organisation under which the partner applied. The CETPartnership Call Management Team is only responsible for coordinating and processing the applications on behalf of the funding organisations involved. 

To learn more about the upcoming Joint Call 2026, please join us for the Call Launch scheduled at the end of May (date TBC).

More information about the call text, modules and requirements will follow this winter/spring. 

Please be advised that the call modules are subject to change.

For further information, follow the link.

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