EcoPlastiC at the 12th European Symposium of Biopolymers - ESBP 2025

The 12th European Symposium on Biopolymers 2025 (ESBP2025) continued its tradition of bringing together leading researchers, industry professionals, and academics from across Europe and beyond to explore the latest advancements in biopolymer science. With a strong interdisciplinary focus, the symposium fostered collaboration across biotechnology, systems engineering, processing and materials science. The ESPB2025 took place in Rectorate of Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, in Lisbon (Portugal) from 1-3 October 2025, hosted by NOVA School of Science and Technology (Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade NOVA de Lisboa).

The number of the total participants was about 200, including researchers, professionals and students from across Europe and beyond, with 5 invited speakers and 10 keynote experts. The Book of Abstracts is available here: https://media.sci-meet.com/www.esbp2025.org/326b420a-8f47-4973-a2a8-2d4010491cbc/BookofAbstractsESBP2025.pdf

The ESBP2025 reinforced the importance of sustainable materials in addressing global environmental challenges, especially emphasizing the growing role of AI and machine learning in revolutionizing biopolymer design and production. The conference covered different topics through the sessions and presentations, including:

- Machine Learning and AI in Biopolymer Design

Cutting-edge applications of artificial intelligence in predicting polymer behavior and optimizing synthesis pathways.

- Sustainable Biopolymer Production

Innovations in microbial and enzymatic processes for eco-friendly polymer synthesis.

- Biopolymer Applications in Medicine and Packaging

Emerging uses in drug delivery systems, wound healing, and biodegradable packaging materials.

- Systems Engineering for Biopolymer Processing

Integration of bioprocess design with scalable manufacturing techniques.

There were 7 contributions that communicated results from the EcoPlastiC project:

Dr Jasmina Nikodinovic-Runic (IMGGE) was invited as a key lecturer, presenting EcoPlastiC project perspectives over the past three years in a talk: "Shaping Up’ Bacterial Biopolymers for Biomedical and Food Applications"

Maria N. Batista had an oral presentation on “Films Based on Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Treated Polyhydroxyalkanoates-Rich Microbial Biomass” with results from the EcoPlastiC projects, co-authored by Patrícia Concórdio-Reis, Beatriz Monteiro, Pedro Simões, Luísa A. Neves, Cristiana A.V. Torres, Maria A. M. Reis, Filomena Freitas all from NOVA School of Science and Technology.

Dr Marijana Ponjavic presented the EcoPlastiC project results as a poster presentation titled “An Eco-Sustainable Route for mcl-PHA Extractions and Novel PHA-Based Polyurethanes” by Marijana Ponjavic (IMGGE), Sanja Skaro Bogojevic (IMGGE), Venkateswara Rao Chebrolu, Maciej Guzik and Jasmina Nikodinovic-Runic (IMGGE), from the Group for Eco-Biotechnology and Drug Development, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering (IMGGE), University of Belgrade.

Marija Nenadovic presented EcoPlastiC project results as a poster presentation titled “Recovery of PLA building blocks from single-use PLA waste with commercial Savinase” with co-authors Marijana Ponjavic (IMGGE), Brana Pantelic (IMGGE), Sanja Jeremic (IMGGE), Maciej Guzik, Aleksandra Marsavelski and Jasmina Nikodinovic-Runic (IMGGE).

Ana Teresa Rebocho (NOVA) presented a poster “Post-consumer PET waste upcycling into bioplastics: unlocking the power of a natural microbiome” with results from the scope of the EcoPlastiC project co-authored by Cristiana A. V. Torres (NOVA), Marija Mojicevic (TUS), Cuneyt Erdinc Tas (TUS), Margaret Brennan Fournet (TUS), Maria A. M. Reis (NOVA) and Filomena Freitas (NOVA).

Patrícia Concórdio-Reis presented a poster “Polyhydroxyalkanoates Production from Polyethylene Terephthalate Degradation Products” with results from the scope of the EcoPlastic project authored by Daniel Miranda (NOVA), and co-authored by Maria N. Batista (NOVA), Ana Teresa Rebocho (NOVA), Patrícia Concórdio-Reis (NOVA), Buket Alkan Tas (TUS), Margaret Brennan Fournet (TUS), Necdet Özçelik (TUS), Cristiana A. V. Torres (NOVA), Maria A. M. Reis (NOVA) and Filomena Freitas (NOVA).

Maria N. Batista presented a poster “Eco-Friendly Formulation Based on Polyhydroxyalkanoates and Natural Polymeric Surfactants for Fabrics’ Dyeing with the Bacterial Pigment Prodigiosin” with results from the scope of the EcoPlastic project authored by Daniela Meireles (NOVA), and co-authored by Maria N. Batista (NOVA), Thomas Rodrigues (NOVA), João Matias (NOVA), Patrícia Concórdio-Reis (NOVA), Vukasin Jankovic (IMGGE), Jasmina Nikodinovic-Runic (IMGGE), Filomena Freitas (NOVA).

It is our pleasure to announce that the next ESBP2027 will be held in Belgrade (Serbia), hosted by Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering (IMGGE), University of Belgrade in Serbia.