SMARTCAP project is a multidisciplinary research and innovation project, which has the main objective to develop smart rumen capsules and illite feed additive, last generation composites based on natural active ingredients such as natural zeolites, illite (clay mineral), gelatin, violacein and essential oils. These new composite materials are expected to provide long term retention in rumen of animal in order to be used for reducing incidence of nutritional metabolic diseases and greenhouse gas production from ruminal fermentation. Methane emission from EU farms is equivalent to the total emissions of 50 coal fired power stations and Europe must reduce greenhouse gases to 30% by 2030. Raising animals drives around half of the industry’s footprint and Europe is forced to reduce cattle numbers to hit methane targets. In this context our project is of great importance and demand being a real solution for decrease greenhouse gas by using natural therapy for cattle. SMARTCAP proposal has a multidisciplinary character, applying principles of veterinary medicine, macromolecular and biopolymer chemistry, natural compounds, minerals, pharmacy, microbiology, cellular biology to obtain “smart” material based on natural ingredients which are processing through modern technologies to achieve performance composites with special properties. Within the SMARTCAP consortium, this know- how is supplied by 7 organizations (3 universities, 3 research institutes and one SME) from Romania, Turkey and South Korea. They find SMARTCAP the best solution to solve both metabolic diseases and greenhouse emissions following the specific objectives: a) identification of requirements and specifications for processing high performance composites as smart rumen capsules and feed additive (TRL 2); b) to design and develop of smart composites by valorization of natural resources (TRL 3); c) to characterize and evaluate the SMARTCAP capsules and feed additive (TRL 3); d) to demonstrate and validate the green manufacturing processes and prototype in relevant environment (TRL 4); e) to facilitate successful exploitation of results and communication. The expected results are: experimental models (simulated rumen liquid, hard gelatin and soft gelatin; essential oils; activated zeolite, modified zeolite, modified illite, SMARTCAP capsule and feed additive); reports (report about in vitro rumen parameters, microbiology tests, physical-chemical characterization, methodology for assay active ingredients by HPLC, biodegradation, in vitro release, antibacterial activity, resistance, durability, gas

adsorption); lab technologies (technology of obtaining gelatin (hard and soft), essential oils, activated / modified zeolite, illite, violacein and SMARTCAP composites; modernized equipment for in vitro gas adsorption; products/ prototype SMARTCAP capsules and feed additive; technical specifications and product safety data sheets; patent applications – 2; published articles – 6 in high ranked journals; participation in conferences – 20; workshops and roundtables – 3; one website. The SMARTCAP approach generates a new concept of development natural performance composite materials with smart properties (controlled degradability and release of active ingredients, capture of gas, antimicrobial properties, non- cytotoxicity, durability and resistance). The solution offered by this project is very feasible and achievable without risk if the WPs are followed. At the end of the project the SMARTCAP composites and advanced manufacturing technologies could be easily adapted and transferred to produce anti bloat/antimicrobial capsules/feed additive for ruminants or in other manufacturing value chains for more competitive industrial products and processes. SMARTCAP project has a higher degree of eco-efficiency, environmental and economic sustainability. This fact will allow increasing income and business opportunities for stakeholders and actors involved in veterinary drugs production.