A new study by Yuanyuan Chen et al. (Technological University of the Shannon) investigates poly(lactic acid)-cellulose acetate composites for the controlled release of potassium fertilizers. The research demonstrates enhanced nutrient bioavailability while reducing environmental leaching - a key advance in sustainable agronomic practices. Key findings: The composite system enables tunable release kinetics, improving crop nutrient uptake efficiency and reducing chemical runof

Thank you to everyone who joined us live for "Recycling Biopolymers - EIC Circular Bioplastics Portfolio" Webinar. Your questions, your engagement in the chat, your presence made this session what it was. Special thanks to Danilo Pietretti, PhD from European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) for opening with the big picture on the eicCircularBioPlastics Portfolio under the Pathfinder Programme, Debolina Paul for hosting and guiding us through six projects'

EU Project Leader at AINIA Julia's path runs from nanoscience to hydrogen fuel cells to leading European innovation projects, a rare mix of deep science and the know-how to turn it into real-world impact. With a PhD in Nanoscience and an MBA, she now steers the scientific coordination, IP and exploitation of EU projects at AINIA, including as coordinator of SATISPHACTION – EIC Pathfinder. 🎤 At our webinar, Julia will present: "SATISPHACTION – Chemical & enzymatic upcycling

Associate Professor, University of Lodz Who better to talk about how packaging breaks down than a molecular microbiologist? Przemysław studies the microbes and molecular machinery behind infection and RNA metabolism, with training across the Francis Crick Institute, UK Medical Research Council labs and UT Health. That deep grasp of how living systems break things down is exactly what circular packaging needs. 🎤 At our webinar, Przemysław will present: "BIO4PAK – End-of-life

Research Director, Funditec Dulce is a chemist who thinks like an industrialist. She leads applied research across sustainable materials, green chemistry and the circular economy, and she's spent her career doing the hard part: getting lab breakthroughs out of the lab and into real industrial use. Her track record even spans health applications, from anti-COVID materials to early detection of neurodegenerative disease. 🎤 At our webinar, Dulce will present: "ECOSYSTEM – End-

Researcher, Water Research Institute, National Research Council (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche), Italy Stefania is chasing one of the toughest questions in plastics: how do you take something at the end of its life and turn it back into something valuable? A biotechnologist and polymer scientist at CNR-IRSA, she works on recycling (bio)plastics through smart depolymerisation, blending chemical and biological processes to give end-of-life materials a second act. 🎤 At our

Team Leader, Energy & Circular Economy at Inagro vzw. When it comes to closing loops on the farm, Reindert works where research meets the field. At Inagro he leads applied research on renewable energy, nutrient recovery and turning agricultural residues into something valuable. As coordinator of circular living-lab activities, he's the bridge between lab ideas and solutions farmers can actually use. 🎤 At our webinar, Reindert will present: "CELLAGRI-project – Biodegradabili

Principal Research Fellow, University of Belgrade (IMGGE) We're proud to have her representing Bio2PEs. Jasmina heads the Eco-Biotechnology and Drug Development Group in Belgrade and has spent a career turning waste into value, from industrial biotechnology and biopolymers to co-founding a spin-off focused on recycling plastic waste. With 220+ publications, 4 patents and an h-index of 38, she's a leading voice in microbial solutions for sustainable materials. 🎤 At our webina

Portfolio Officer at European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) An immunologist who traded the lab bench for the policy table. Danilo earned his PhD at Wageningen University, then spent years at the science-policy interface with the European Commission's Joint Research Centre and the FAO, working on biosecurity, outbreak preparedness, food integrity and biotech. Today he helps steer European innovation across agrifood, biotech and health. 🎤 He'll open our

On 13 July, six EIC Pathfinder projects come together to tackle one of the biggest challenges in the bioeconomy: what do we do with biopolymers once they've served their purpose? 🗓 13 July 2026 | 12:00–13:00 CEST 🎯 FREE | Online Join the Recycling Biopolymers webinar — part of the EIC Circular Bioplastics Portfolio — featuring researchers from Bio2PEs, CELLAGRI-project, BORN - EIC Pathfinder, ECOSYSTEM Project, BIO4PAK project, and SATISPHACTION – EIC Pathfinder, sharing th

We are thrilled to share that our team was present at the 16th Carbohydrate Bioengineering Meeting (CBM16)", held in the historic city of Elsinore, Denmark — and we came with some exciting science to show! Dr. Christina Pentari presented her poster on "Enhanced Release of Xylo-Oligosaccharides from Native Lignocellulose by the Bifunctional GH30_7 Xylanase TtXyn30A." Christina's work evaluates TtXyn30A from Thermothelomyces thermophilus — a bifunctional enzyme combining exo- a

🌟 We are delighted to share that Shivani Pathania from Teagasc and Marijana Ponjavic from from IMGGE have been selected for the EIC Women Leadership programme. 💪 This achievement reflects their dedication, expertise, and leadership in driving innovation forward. Congratulations to both on this well-deserved recognition! 🙌

In May the Technological University of the Shannon team had the privilege of attending Plastics Recycling Show Europe (PRSE) in Amsterdam, Netherlands — one of Europe's premier exhibitions bringing together the brightest minds in plastics recycling, sustainable materials, and circular economy innovation. For the Bio2PEs project, this was more than an exhibition — it was a strategic opportunity. Here's what we took away: 🔬 Industry Pulse — We explored the latest advances in b

From March 16–19, 2026, the Bio2PEs project was showcased by its partner, the National Technical University of Athens, during the University’s Open Days at the Zografou campus. The event brought together students and educators, offering insights into the wide range of research activities across NTUA’s Schools. ​ As part of the programme, visitors participated in an interactive tour of the Biotechnology Laboratory, guided by Professor Evangelos Topakas and Dr. Efstratios Nikol

​ On 4–5 March 2026, the Bio2PEs project was presented by its Project Coordinator, Dr. Yuanyuan Chen, during the IX International Seminar on Biopolymers & Sustainable Composites, organised by AIMPLAS Technological Institute of Plastics in Valencia, Spain, and hosted at the Technological University of the Shannon. ​ The presentation focused on innovative work in circular polymer development, with Bio2PEs highlighted among the key innovations contributing to the advancement of

At GPSIS 2025, Our Project Coordinator Yuanyuan Chen from the Technological University of the Shannon introduced the Bio2PEs project, highlighting its focus on developing biodegradable and bio-based polyethylene (PE). Her presentation explained how bio-based PE is produced from bioethanol, modified with biodegradable monomers, and enhanced with PE-degrading enzymes and microbial additives to improve biodegradability. Project Coordinator Yuanyuan Chen from the This exciting l

The Bio2PEs Kick-Off Meeting was successfully held in Athlone, Ireland, on 17–18 October 2025, organised by project partner and coordinator, TUS Research, Development & Innovation. The project focuses on developing bio-based and biodegradable polyethylene (PE) and polyesters, aiming to advance sustainable materials and tackle plastic pollution.