aGROWchain, short for Agrowaste Supply Chains for Sustainable Growth, was a cross-border project focused on turning agricultural residues and other forms of agro-waste into a practical resource for local bioenergy development. The project was implemented in the Greece-North Macedonia cross-border area under the Interreg IPA CBC framework, with a focus on sustainable management and recycling of bio-wastes, the creation of local biomass supply chains, and the transfer of practical solutions to municipalities, farmers, transporters, collectors, end users, and local authorities.
The GAUSS Institute contributed to aGROWchain as the subcontractor for the development of the digital platform and mobile application for biomass suppliers in the Novaci area. In this role, GAUSS supported the digitalization of the biomass supply chain by developing an interactive solution that connects farmers and biomass holders with collectors, transporters, and end users. The platform was designed to function as a meeting point and market facilitator for bioenergy stakeholders, helping users communicate, register available biomass, organize logistics, and support the practical use of local agro-waste as fuel.
The main activity carried out by GAUSS was the development of the Binter.MK platform and Android mobile application. The application allows farmers to register available biomass directly from the field, including location, photo, biomass type, area, quantity, and availability period. Collectors and transporters can review biomass availability through a map-based interface and organize collection logistics, while end users can declare biomass needs and follow available resources. The system also includes a web-based administration environment with user management, content management, registered biomass-holder records, and different levels of access for administrators and user groups.
Through this work, GAUSS helped transform the project concept into a usable digital service for the Novaci pilot area. The platform created a structured communication channel between biomass producers, logistics actors, and final users, making it easier to identify, register, and mobilize local biomass resources. The application was developed in cooperation with CPERI/CERTH and was submitted to the contracting authority for testing in March 2021. It was made available free of charge for Android users under the name Binter.MK through Google Play Store and Huawei AppGallery.
The key result of GAUSS’s contribution was an operational interactive platform for biomass suppliers in the cross-border area, aligned with the wider aGROWchain objective of building sustainable agro-waste supply chains. The solution supported the project’s broader expected outputs, including the demonstration of biomass supply chains, GIS and logistics tools for agro-waste valorization, transferability to other municipalities, and the creation of stronger links between local biomass resources and potential energy users.
Main deliverables by the GAUSS Institute
- Binter.MK mobile application: Android application for registering, locating, and communicating available biomass resources.
- Interactive digital platform: Web-based platform connecting farmers, collectors, transporters, end users, and administrators.
- Map-based biomass registration: Functionality for recording biomass location, type, availability, quantity, and field evidence.
- User and access management system: Administrative environment for managing users, roles, registered biomass-holder records, and platform content.
- Localized implementation: Platform and service developed for the Novaci area and provided in Macedonian language.
- Technical documentation and reporting: Documentation of the platform functionality, user categories, administration procedures, and maintenance requirements.
The aGROWchain project demonstrated how digital tools can support the transition from unused agro-waste to organized local bioenergy value chains. By developing the platform and mobile application, the GAUSS Institute contributed practical technical expertise to a project that combined environmental protection, rural development, renewable energy, and cross-border cooperation.