Upcominig BIOPOLY Cluster webinar on bio-based polymers for real applications | 17.04.2026
Topic: From waste to performance: designing bio-based polymers for real applications
On April 17, 2026, POLYMERS-5B actively participated in the BIOPOLY Cluster webinar titled “From waste to performance: designing bio-based polymers for real applications”. The online event brought together leading experts from the BIOPYRANIA, POLYMEER, and POLYMERS-5B projects to explore how bio-based polymers derived from waste streams are advancing toward real industrial applications.
A collaborative platform for innovation
The webinar opened with a welcome and introduction to the BIOPOLY Cluster, highlighting its mission to accelerate the transition toward a circular, bio-based economy. The session set the stage for a dynamic exchange on how diverse biomass feedstocks can be transformed into high-performance materials.
Project presentations followed, with:
- Assunta Marrocchi introducing POLYMEER,
- Luís Fonseca presenting POLYMERS-5B,
- Katrien Bernaerts outlining the BIOPYRANIA approach.
These introductory talks provided a comprehensive overview of each project’s objectives and contributions to sustainable polymer development.
From waste streams to advanced materials
The technical session showcased cutting-edge research and innovation across the three projects:
- POLYMEER presented its work on converting brewers’ spent grain into functional materials, with contributions from Fabrizio Sarasini and Frederik Wurm.
- POLYMERS-5B, represented by Miķelis Kirpļuks, highlighted the development of bio-based polymers derived from food and wood waste.
- BIOPYRANIA, with Merylin Kurst, explored the transformation of wood-based second-generation biomass into high-performance polymers.
Together, these presentations demonstrated the vast potential of underutilized biomass feedstocks such as agri-food residues and woody biomass to replace fossil-based materials in various applications.
Addressing key challenges for market uptake
A panel discussion brought together project coordinators and technical experts to tackle critical questions for the future of bio-based polymers, including:
- Can bio-based materials match the performance of fossil-based alternatives?
- How can variability in feedstocks be managed?
- What are the main technical bottlenecks?
- What developments are needed in the next five years?
The discussion emphasized that while significant progress has been made, continued collaboration between research, industry, and policy is essential to scale up solutions and ensure competitiveness.
Engaging the community
The webinar concluded with an interactive Q&A session, allowing participants to engage directly with the speakers and deepen the discussion on sustainable materials innovation.
About the speakers
The event featured a distinguished panel of researchers and experts from leading European institutions and industry, including:
- Assunta Marrocchi (University of Perugia), expert in biomass valorization and sustainable materials.
- Luís P. Fonseca (University of Lisbon), specialist in bioprocesses and circular bioeconomy.
- Katrien Bernaerts (Maastricht University), professor in sustainable polymer synthesis.
- Fabrizio Sarasini (Sapienza University of Rome), expert in composite and polymeric materials.
- Frederik R. Wurm (University of Twente), leader in sustainable polymer chemistry.
- Miķelis Kirpļuks (Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry), specialist in bio-based polymer development.
- Merylin Kurst (Fibenol), expert in wood-based industrial processes.
Looking ahead
The webinar highlighted the rapid transition of bio-based polymers from research to real-world applications. Initiatives like POLYMERS-5B continue to play a key role in advancing sustainable materials, contributing to a more circular and resource-efficient future.
Stay tuned for more updates and upcoming events from the POLYMERS-5B project and the BIOPOLY Cluster.
