Home > News > Press releases > Bio-based innovations for industrial applications: stakeholder event on 24 April 2024 in Brussels presents latest breakthroughs and key findings from research on circular bio-based solutions

20.02.2024

Bio-based innovations for industrial applications: stakeholder event on 24 April 2024 in Brussels presents latest breakthroughs and key findings from research on circular bio-based solutions

Organised by two EU-funded research projects, CHAMPION and PERFECOAT, this stakeholder event is dedicated to the latest developments in bio-based solutions for a variety of materials such as coatings, paints, adhesives and detergents. 

The research projects CHAMPION and PERFECOAT aim to replace conventional fossil-based materials with novel bio-based solutions. At their jointly organized event, “Bio-based Innovations for Industrial Applications” taking place on 24 April 2024 in Brussels, Belgium, both projects will present their recent findings and demonstrate the potential of the EU bioeconomy. 

The agenda includes dedicated sessions on novel bio-based compounds and applications, sustainability, safety and toxicity assessments but also a reality check for industrial applications. Speakers from the European Commission (EC), and Circular Bio-based Europe (CBE JU) will share the latest and upcoming sector developments. Covering a broad range of topics from policy to technology, the event offers a great platform to network with stakeholders and delve into pioneering developments in bio-based solutions. 

While the CHAMPION project focuses on bio-based thermoset coatings, structural adhesives, automotive interior surfaces and home care additives, the PERFECOAT project  targets the development of novel bio-based ingredients for paints and coatings to be used in high-volume, UV-curable clear coatings, waterborne trim paints for DIY and waterborne wall paint. 

Topic-related European projects like 3-CO, HARMONITOR and LIGNICOAT will also present their findings in the quest for an innovative and sustainable EU economy. The event is accompanied by a poster exhibition and ends with a networking cocktail.

Full programme of the event has now been released. Registration for the 1-day-event is free of charge, at https://events.renewable-carbon.eu/event/bio-based-innovations-for-industrial-applications/. 

Agenda “Bio-based Innovations for Industrial Applications” 

Session 1: End-user perspectives on bio-based innovations

  • Janice Lofthouse (University of York – CHAMPION) and Francesca di Bartolomeo (SINTEF – PERFECOAT) – Event Opening
  • Daan van Es (WFBR) – An Overview of the CHAMPION project
  • Francesca die Bartolomeo (SINTEF) – An Introduction to the PERFECOAT project
  • Marisa Groenestege (BTG Biomass Technology Group – HARMONITOR project) – Navigating trade and sustainability certification of bio-based value chains
  • Costanza Rossi (University of Utrecht – 3-CO project) – What drives sustainability in businesses?

Session 2: Making bio-based compounds

  • Oscar Bedzo and Lalitha Gottumukkala (Celignis) – Developing bio-based binders for wood coatings
  • Rolf Blaauw (WFBR) – Bio-based polymer synthesis and scale-up
  • Amelie Skopp (Technische Universität München) and Anders Odum (Chromologics SA) – Developing bio-based paint ingredients: from fillers to pigments and functional additives
  • Claudio Pagella (IRIS Coating – LIGNICOAT) – Lignin-based clear fire protection biocoatings for wood

Session 3: Sustainability, safety and toxicity

  • Harrie Besselink (Bio Detection Systems ) – Safety and toxicity assessments and methodology
  • Sigrid Damman and Assiya Kenzhegaliyeva (SINTEF Digital) – Environmental and social sustainability assessment  
  • Maarit Nyman and Algreit Dume (European Commission) – Industrial aspects of the EU bioeconomy policy framework: recent developments 

Session 4: Industrial applications

  • Chloe Johnson (CBE JU) – Circular Bio-Based Europe JU: supporting innovation of sustainable bio-based materials and products
  • Thomas Farmer (Unilever) – End-user application testing of polymers in CHAMPION  
  • Christine Louis (Evonik) and Roland Steinrücken (Remmers) – Bio-based coating formulation and application testing
  • Steven Verstichel (Normec OWS) – Circularity and end-of-life options for biobased and biodegradable products

Closure

  • Alexander Wetzel (SINTEF) and James Clark (University of York’s Green Chemistry Centre) – Closing statement
  • Maarit Nyman – Closing statement

Networking cocktail (and poster exhibition)

Location:
BIP Meeting Center,
Rue Royale 2-4, B-1000 Brussels

The CHAMPION project has received funding from the Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (JU) under grant agreement No 887398. The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and the Bio-based Industries Consortium.

The PERFECOAT project has received funding from the Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (JU) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101022370. The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and the Bio-based Industries Consortium.