In this episode of the Biocircular Loop podcast, Melina Gerdts interviews Dr. Carmen Hijosa, founder of Ananas Anam, about the innovative leather-substitute Pinatex, made from pineapple waste. They discuss the environmental impact of traditional leather production, the journey of creating a sustainable alternative, and the positive social impact on local communities in the Philippines. The conversation also covers market acceptance, challenges faced in the industry, and the vision for a sustainable future that heals the relationship between people and the planet.

In this episode of the bioCircular Loop podcast, Melina Gerdts discusses the challenges biotech startups face in scaling their innovations from lab to industrial scale with Hendrik Waegeman, Head of Operations at the Bio-Base Europe Pilot Plant. They explore the high costs associated with scaling, the importance of collaboration and expertise, and the regulatory hurdles that can delay market entry. The conversation also highlights emerging trends in biobased applications, including alternative proteins, biopesticides, and food colorants. In this conversation, Hendrik Waegeman discusses the evolution of the bioeconomy, focusing on the transition to natural colorants, the complexities of biofuels, and the scaling of bio-based infrastructure in Europe. He highlights the international nature of their customer base, investment trends, and the regulatory challenges faced in the sector. Despite these challenges, he expresses optimism for the future of bio-based innovation, emphasizing the impact of BBEPP on sustainability and innovation in the bioeconomy.

Useful Links

• https://www.bbeu.org
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/efb-bioeconomy-journal
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667041022000118#:~:text=The large gap for academic,et al.%2C 2018).
• https://biopilots4u.eu
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667041022000118
• https://theproteinnclub.eu

This episode of the bioCircular Loop podcast provides an in-depth exploration of the circular bioeconomy in Europe, featuring insights from Marco Rupp, Deputy Executive Director of the Bio-Based Industry Consortium (BIC). The discussion covers the evolution of the bioeconomy over the past decade, the role of innovation and funding, and the strategic importance of bio-based industries in addressing sustainability and climate change. Key themes include the challenges of biomass availability, the need for market creation, and the future outlook for bio-based industries in Europe amidst global geopolitical changes and growing demand for critical raw materials.

Useful links:

• EU Bioeconomy strategy: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/research-area/environment/bioeconomy/bioeconomy-strategy_en
• B.I.C. https://biconsortium.eu/
• Bio-based Industries Consortium Annual Report 2024: https://biconsortium.eu/publication/bic-annual-report-2024
• Circular Bio-based Europe Joined Undertaking: https://www.cbe.europa.eu/
• Is there enough biomass to defossilize the chemicals and derived materials sector by 2050? https://biconsortium.eu/publication/there-enough-biomass-defossilise-chemicals-and-derived-materials-sector-2050

In this episode of the bioCircular Loop podcast, Melina Gerdts discusses the challenges of food packaging, particularly in preserving fruits and vegetables while reducing plastic waste. She interviews Arash Fayyazi, co-founder of Savage, a Swedish startup focused on innovative, plant-based packaging solutions. They explore the importance of sustainable food packaging, the technology behind Savagie's products, and the collaboration with industry partners to tackle food waste effectively. In this conversation, Arash discusses the innovative food packaging solutions developed by Savaggy, focusing on sustainability, consumer acceptance, and the challenges faced in product development and regulatory compliance. The dialogue highlights the importance of transparency in addressing consumer concerns about food safety and environmental impact, as well as the positive reception from the industry towards sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging.

In this episode of the bioCircular Loop podcast, we discuss the challenges facing the cocoa industry and the innovative solutions being developed to create sustainable chocolate alternatives. The conversation features Massimo Sabatini, CEO of Foreverland, who shares insights into the cocoa supply chain, the impact of climate change, and the development of a new cocoa-free chocolate alternative made from carob. The discussion highlights the importance of taste, sustainability, and the challenges of scaling production in the food tech industry. Massimo Sabatini discusses the innovative approach of Foreverland in creating an alternative to chocolate using carob, known as Choruba. He elaborates on the challenges of scaling production, the importance of collaboration with cocoa producers, and the need to build a new ecosystem around this alternative chocolate. The conversation also touches on sourcing carob from the Mediterranean, regulatory challenges, consumer perceptions, and the nutritional benefits of Choruba.

Useful Links

• Foreverland: https://foreverland.it/
• About the Choruba innovation: https://foreverland.it/pages/innovation
• Rising cocoa prices: will the chocolate crisis continue in 2025? An article by J. P. Morgan

This episode of the bioCircular Loop podcast discusses the innovative use of lignin, a byproduct of wood processing, to create bioplastics. The conversation explores the environmental impact of traditional plastics, the potential of lignin in sustainable materials, and the business model of Lignin Industries, a Swedish startup focused on turning lignin into bioplastics. Fredrik Malmfors, CEO of Lignin Industries, shares insights on the company's journey, the importance of circular economy, and the challenges and opportunities in engaging with brand owners in the plastics industry. In this conversation, Fredrik Malmfors discusses the innovative solutions offered by Lignin Industries, focusing on the use of lignin as a sustainable alternative to fossil-based plastics. He highlights the importance of cost competitiveness, recyclability, and real-world applications, such as E-commerce bags, while addressing the challenges faced in the biocircular economy. The discussion also touches on regional differences in market readiness and the dynamics between fossil fuel industries and bioplastics.

Useful links

• Lignin Industries: https://www.lignin.se/ourinnovation
• Transforming lignin into renewable fuels, chemicals and materials: a review
• Biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics
• Lignin - a sustainable alternative to fossil-derived raw materials

Tommaso Barbieri shares the story of Tomapaint, a startup focused on creating bio-resins from byproducts and waste from the Italian tomato processing industry. He discusses the innovative technology behind their product, bio-based cutin, and its applications in various industries, including food packaging and cosmetics. The conversation also explores Tomapaint's integration within the Italian tomato industry, their partnerships, and the family dynamics of the founding team. Tommaso highlights the scalability of their process, funding strategies, market demand for sustainable solutions, and the impact of EU regulations on their business. He concludes with insights on future innovations and the environmental impact of their technology compared to fossil-based alternatives.

Useful links

• Tomapaint: https://www.tomapaint.com/
• How the cutin is extracted: https://www.tomapaint.com/what-we-do/productive-process/
• Food waste and bioeconomy: opportunity for Italian tomato industry: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652619312594
• Circular economy and tomatoes: https://www.tomatonews.com/en/circular-economy-the-tomato-sector-values-by-products_2_1501.html

In this episode of the BioCircular Loop podcast, Melina Gerdts interviews Viktoria Kanar, CEO of Refresh Global, a startup focused on innovative textile recycling. They discuss the challenges of textile waste management, the impact of fast fashion, and the upcoming EU Waste Framework Directive. Viktoria shares the founding story of Refresh Global, the technology behind their SmartUp system, and the potential applications of their recycled materials. The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration in achieving a circular economy and the need for regulatory changes to drive sustainable practices in the fashion industry.

Useful links:

- https://re-fresh.global

- Fast fashion effects on the environment: https://earth.org/fast-fashions-detrimental-effect-on-the-environment/

- Sustainable fashion inn the EU: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/circular-economy/reset-trend/how-eu-making-fashion-sustainable_en

- EPR Regulation across EU countries: https://deutsche-recycling.com/blog/comparing-epr-regulations-europe/