On 17 June 2025, Professor Assunta Marrocchi, POLYMEER’s project coordinator, took part in the Circular Bio-Based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) Cluster Projects’ Workshop on Bio-based Materials in Brussels. The event aimed to explore and showcase the latest innovations, research and developments in the bio-based materials sector.
This first edition focused on the use of bio-based materials in agricultural and packaging sectors, paying particular attention to circularity and end-of-life alternatives. As agricultural mulch films and tertiary packaging films are two of POLYMEER’s applications, this workshop provided an excellent opportunity for knowledge exchange and collaboration between the coordinators of CBE JU- and Horizon Europe-funded projects.
The workshop included presentations from representatives of selected CBE JU projects, including POLYMEER, as well as networking opportunities designed to foster meaningful exchanges among participants and create synergies between projects. Representatives from the European Commission and the Bio-based Industries Consortium were also invited.
In addition to the presentations from over 20 CBE JU-funded projects, participants discussed the common challenges and opportunities in supporting the adoption of bio-based solutions developed by EU-funded projects, and identified research gaps and priorities for future programmes, such as the next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10).
One of the event’s main objectives was to showcase progress in the development of bio-based materials for use in agriculture and packaging. Participants explored new developments in areas such as compostable films, packaging, recyclable bioplastics, and fertilisers made from biowaste that improve soil health.
The event also examined the factors holding back the wider use of bio-based materials and identified potential opportunities. A key takeaway was the importance of how materials are handled at the end of their life cycle for these innovations to work in the real world.
The workshop enabled Professor Marrocchi to present POLYMEER to and network with a wide range of stakeholders, including Professor Luis Fonseca, coordinator of our sister project, Polymers-5B, and Professor Debora Puglia, coordinator of FURIOUS, who was one of the speakers at the webinar we hosted as part of the EU Green Week 2025, titled “Biopolymers for a Sustainable Future”. Thank you to the CBE JU for inviting our project coordinator and to all the participants for the insightful discussions!
