 EcoPlastiC Steering Meeting (SM) was held on May 30, 2025, where the final steps of the project were discussed, as well as upcoming deliverables and joint publications.

The experimental work within WP2 (Green depolymerisation mixed PET waste plastics) and WP3 (Design and optimisation of the AVE microbiomes) has been completed. Within WP4 (Recovery of PHA), 

 achieved successful biomass upscaling using reactively extruded (REXed) PET/PE with improved results over 2 L scale, so the experiments will proceed to a 10 L bioreactor. A new strain isolated from bioreactor B showed 100% terephthalic acid (TPA) removal and 12% of PHA content, and the optimisation of PHA content is ongoing. Also, several fed-batch fermentations are in progress. At 

, three bioreactor runs were completed using the mixed culture provided by 

, andthe next runs will also use a new post-feeding strategy. On a scale from 10 L, 

 at 10 L and gathering biomass to send to 

Within WP5 (Processing and packaging prototype), 

 has been focusing on biodegradation and recycling studies, as well as preparation of several publications. At 

, protein-based adhesive using single-cell protein SCP and soya proteins was developed, and results showed the water resistance performance of SCP adhesives are better than commercial glue. Alternative cross-linkers will be considered to increase the protein content of SCP and to improve bonding performance.

Within WP6 (Dissemination, Exploitation and Communication), 

discussed the rising numbers for Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for all activities, especially in the categories of events, conferences and school visits. The final few months will be very rich in activities and publications, and the next EcoPlastiC meeting will be in person in Belgrade, organized by the IMGGE team.

Representatives from all partner institutions attended the SM:

 (Ireland) - Laura Rodriguez Barroso, Bor Shin Chee, Cuneyt Erdinc Tas, Buket Alkan Tas, Necdet Ozcelik, Zeliha Ece Ozcelik

 (Belgium) – Kim Windey (Team Leader), Lars Stegemueller

 (Portugal) –Patricia Concordio dos Reis

 (Serbia) – Jasmina Nikodinovic-Runic (Team Leader), Jelena Simic, Marijana Ponjavic, Sanja Skaro Bogojevic

 (Sweden) – Mikael Hedenqvist (Team Leader), Anna Svagen Hanner

EcoPlastiC Steering Meetings were held every two months to ensure the constant project progress, and the next meeting will be our final EcoPlastiC General Assembly, which will be organised in person in Belgrade (Serbia), from 4-5 September 2025.

Tenth EcoPlastiC Steering Meeting

67th International Fair of Technics and Technical Achievements

 is the perfect platform for promoting the Fourth Industrial Revolution – Industry 4.0. It revolves around digitalization, which has introduced revolutionary changes in company development and business operations, boosting productivity and enhancing competitiveness. This concept highlights new opportunities and challenges, directing attention to the recognition of emerging influences and the consequences of accelerated technological advancements.

One of the exhibition halls at the 67th International Fair of Technics and Technical Achievements in Belgrade (Serbia)

The Fair is one of the longest-running and most significant events in the field of technological development and industry globally, which is traditionally held at the Belgrade Fair. The conceptual focus is on innovations and new technologies, emphasizing “factories of the future”, industrial automation, electrical power engineering and energy infrastructure. It brings together leading companies, innovators, scientists and experts from various fields of technics and technology, providing a unique platform for presenting the latest achievements, products and solutions. It was organized in the space of 12,163 m2, with 592 national exhibitors, from which 328 were international exhibitors.

(upper row): Dr Jasmina Nikodinovic-Runic at the opening ceremony; Dr Ivana Aleksic, Dr Tatjana Ilic-Tomic, Dr Jasmina Nikodinovic-Runic; Dr Dusan Milivojevic, Dr Brana Pantelic, Nikola Radivojevic;

(lower row) Lena Pantelic, Vukasin Jankovic, Dr Vuk Filipovic; Dr Jelena Simic, Dr Sanja Skaro Bogojevic; Dr Marijana Ponjavic, Dr Ivana Aleksic, Milan Slavkovic; Dr Milica Ciric, Dr Jelena Milovanovic, 

Nikola Radivojevic, Marija Kokic, Lena Pantelic.

Group for Eco-Biotechnology and Drug Development

 from the Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering (IMGGE) presented their ongoing research projects to 17,548 curious visitors of all ages. They highlighted the transformative potential of 

, with the EcoPlastiC project at its core. Visitors explored groundbreaking innovations, from a fully 3D-printed biomaterial sneaker to the composting potential of bacterial polymers and the commercial viability of bacterial pigments in sustainable printing. These advancements mark a significant step toward eco-friendly solutions that could redefine material production and environmental sustainability.

Two main concepts that IMGGE team presented at the Fair: BIOMATERIALS and BIOPIGMENTS

EcoPlastiC at the 67th International Fair of Technics in Serbia

21st International Conference on Renewable Resources and Biorefineries

 was organized by the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University and held at Turku City Theatre. The conference had 246 participants from 28 different countries. There were 105 oral presentations in 3 parallel sessions and 117 posters.

The theme for this year was “Moving Beyond Carbon Neutral” and the topics that were covered included:

Biobased chemicals and biodegradable materials

Biocatalysis and novel fermentation processes

Bioenergy and thermochemical transformation

Pretreatment and transformation of lignocellulosics

Anna Törner, from the Swedish Bioenergy Association, Sweden – “Challenges and opportunities for biorefinery in the EU”

Prof. Bert Weckhuysen, from Utrecht University, The Netherlands – “Catalysis achievements and needs for the refinery of the future”

‘Sustainability and circular economy’

 topic, Maria Nicolau Batista (NOVA) presented the results from the EcoPlastiC project – “PET as bacterial carbon source - a new hope for plastic pollution” authored by Maria Nicolau Batista (NOVA), Patricia Concórdio-Reis (NOVA), Buket Alkan Tas (TUS), Marija Nicevic (TUS), Margaret Brennan-Fournet (TUS), Jasmina Nikodinovic-Runic (IMGGE), Cristiana A. V. Torres (NOVA), Maria A. M. Reis (NOVA), FIlomena Freitas (NOVA).

Presenting author Maria Nicolau Batista (NOVA) during the oral presentation “PET as bacterial carbon source -a new hope for plastic pollution”