Plants produce secondary metabolites, such as essential oils (EOs). According to CBI, the demand for EOs is going to grow. EOs are employed in food & beverage, cosmetics & toiletries, aromatherapy, home and health care, and others. EOs are the main ingredient in some pest - control products and some over – the - counter medications. They’re used in the food industry because of their preservative potency against food - borne pathogens thanks to their antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Increasing consumer disposable incomes and rapid expansion of food & beverage industries are expected to contribute to the demand for natural fragrances & flavors produced using EOs. The added health benefits of EOs are expected to trigger their demand in pharmaceutical applications as well. Rising demand for aromatic cleaning agents and bio-based personal care products is expected to stimulate demand for home care and personal care products. The increased use of fragrances and flavors owing to the expansion of end-use industries in emerging markets. Most of the exotic EOs are produced from rare crops and plants which are either difficult to harvest or are a very species in nature. Restrictions on harvesting and cultivation of such trees & plants will probably add to the raw material scarcity. EOHUB will bring together technological companies, HEIs and research organizations in order to provide a training and support path for young scientists toward entrepreneurship, innovation and conservation in the field of EOs. It will merge scientific knowledge on EOs, practical examples and case studies of successful companies providing services within EOs, business models/case studies of business that trade and value natural products, connecting bio-applications of EOs, involving research centres and companies. The main challenges will be the growing demand, new markets, new bio-applications, biodiversity preservation and bio-economy integration.
Generation of a sector-specific theoretical and practical syllabus essential for the specialization process of European EOs sector, developing a virtual learning environment that facilitates experiential learning and assessment constructively aligned with the learning objectives, integrating entrepreneurship and innovation in the project not just as a source of knowledge, but also as a source of employment.
The general need addressed in the EOHUB project proposal was to activate the EOs sector specialisation process within the European ecoregion. This specialisation process includes the strategy for the generation of new interaction dynamics between the Academia, Enterprises, Research Centres and, generally, the EOs sector vested stakeholder.
<< Background >> The general need addressed in the EOHUB project proposal was to activate the EOs sector specialisation process within the European ecoregion. This specialisation process includes the strategy for the generation of new interaction dynamics between the Academia, Enterprises, Research Centres and, generally, the EOs sector vested stakeholder. << Objectives >> Generation of a sector-specific theoretical and practical syllabus essential for the specialization process of European EOs sector, developing a virtual learning environment that facilitates experiential learning and assessment constructively aligned with the learning objectives, integrating entrepreneurship and innovation in the project not just as a source of knowledge, but also as a source of employment. << Implementation >> In the first part of the project, the consortium set the foundations, analysing the existing needs in the EOs sector aiming to better tailoring learning material, training courses, and the creation of the network to specific stakeholders and beneficiaries’ needs. During the second part was developed the interactive and practical E-learning platform containing the Expert Course in Essential Oils and Entrepreneurship. << Results >> Main Results: Report on Sector Research and Training needs assessment// Output 2.2: Focus Group on factors influencing innovation and entrepreneurship in the field of Eos// e-learning Expert Course in Essential Oils and Entrepreneurship already implemented in its first edition (15 ECTS, 450 hours)// EO-HUB key staff mobilities of the business partners// Awarded learners mobility// EOHUB summer school