Two years into the project, the POLYMEER consortium gathered in Enschede, the Netherlands, on 16–17 September 2026 for its 24-month consortium meeting, hosted by project partner University of Twente.
The two-day meeting provided an important opportunity for partners to review the progress achieved during the first half of the project, exchange updates across the different work packages and align priorities for the next stages of POLYMEER.
As the project moves into its second half, discussions focused not only on the technical work underway, but also on how the knowledge and solutions being developed can move closer to practical applications and contribute to a more circular and sustainable bio-based economy.
Reviewing progress and looking ahead
The first day brought the consortium together for a series of project and work package discussions. Partners reviewed activities and progress across the different areas of POLYMEER, identifying connections between ongoing work and coordinating the activities ahead.
A dedicated exploitation workshop also provided the opportunity to look beyond the research itself and discuss how the results generated throughout POLYMEER can create value and impact beyond the lifetime of the project.
These exchanges are particularly important as POLYMEER reaches its halfway point. The project is working to develop sustainable polymer solutions from renewable resources, with a particular focus on the valorisation of brewers’ spent grain (BSG). Turning this abundant brewing by-product into a feedstock for higher-value applications requires expertise across the entire value chain, making regular collaboration between partners essential.
From consortium discussions to the laboratory
The second day continued with further work package discussions and the General Assembly before taking partners beyond the meeting room for a visit to the University of Twente laboratories and campus.
The lab visit offered consortium members an opportunity to discover some of the facilities and research capabilities available at the host institution and to connect the project discussions with the scientific environments supporting research and innovation in materials.
Bringing partners together in person remains an important part of POLYMEER. Beyond reviewing tasks and deliverables, consortium meetings create opportunities to exchange knowledge between disciplines, identify synergies and ensure that the different components of the project continue moving towards a common objective.
Opening the conversation: designing the next generation of sustainable polymers
The meeting concluded on 17 September with the hybrid workshop “Designing the Next Generation of Sustainable Polymers”, opening the discussion beyond the POLYMEER consortium.
The workshop brought together experts from academia, research and industry to explore complementary approaches to sustainable polymer development. Following an introduction to POLYMEER by project coordinator Prof. Assunta Marrocchi from the University of Perugia, the programme covered topics ranging from green chemistry and bio-based polymers to sustainable rubber compounds, enzyme technologies and circularity.
Prof. Daniela Lanari from the University of Perugia explored green chemistry processes for sustainable synthesis, while Dr. Rolf Albach from FH Aachen addressed the future impact of polymer research. Prof. Anke Blume from the University of Twente discussed the possibilities for making rubber compounds fully sustainable, and Dr. André Lehmann from Fraunhofer explored pathways for bio-based polymers within a circular bioeconomy.
The workshop also connected POLYMEER with other European initiatives working towards more sustainable polymers. Dr. Hessel van Dijk from ChiralVision, representing the POLYMERS-5B project, presented developments in sustainable carrier materials for enzyme immobilisation, while Roy Visser from Avantium, representing the FURIOUS project, explored the relationship between sustainability and circularity.
The session concluded with a joint Q&A, providing participants with the opportunity to exchange perspectives directly with the speakers.
The full recording of the workshop is available on the POLYMEER YouTube channel.
Entering the second half of POLYMEER
Reaching the 24-month milestone represents an important moment for POLYMEER. Over the next two years, collaboration across the consortium will remain essential as the project continues advancing its research and moving towards the development of innovative bio-based polymer solutions.
The meeting in Enschede provided the opportunity to reflect on the work accomplished so far, strengthen collaboration between partners and establish a shared direction for the next phase.
A big thank you to the University of Twente for hosting the consortium, and to all POLYMEER partners, workshop speakers and participants who contributed to two productive days of research, discussion and exchange.
