The Universitat Jaume I (UJI), located in Castellón de la Plana (Spain), is a public research-oriented university with a strong commitment to excellence in science, technology, sustainability, and innovation. UJI promotes close collaboration between research, industry, and society, aiming to generate knowledge and solutions that address major environmental and societal challenges.
Within the INSOIL project, UJI participates through the joint work of two complementary research groups: Biopolymers and Advanced Materials (BioPIMA) and Plant Immunity and Biochemistry (PIB). Both teams collaborate closely to integrate expertise in sustainable materials, soil systems, and plant sciences.
The BioPIMA group, led by Luis Cabedo, has strong experience in biodegradable polymers, functional materials, and environmental degradation processes. The PIB group, led by Victoria Pastor, is internationally recognized for its research on plant defense mechanisms and biochemical responses to environmental stresses. Together, they form a multidisciplinary team capable of addressing complex challenges at the interface between materials, soil, and plant systems.
In INSOIL, UJI is mainly responsible for the agronomic validation of the developed solutions. This includes evaluating how biodegradable materials and bio-based products—such as mulching films, plant protectors, and controlled-release fertilizers—interact with soil and crops under real agricultural conditions. The team analyzes their effects on plant growth, health, stress resistance, and productivity, as well as their impact on soil quality, biological activity, and environmental safety.
Through this integrated validation approach, UJI ensures that INSOIL solutions are not only technologically effective and biodegradable, but also agronomically viable, environmentally safe, and aligned with the needs of farmers. This contribution is essential for supporting the transition towards more sustainable, circular, and resilient agricultural systems in Europe.