The programme is organised around six key areas of Environmental Biotechnology, with contributions encouraged to highlight how research and innovation can contribute to the European Union’s 55% greenhouse gas emission reduction target by 2030:
- Innovative Solutions in (Waste)water Treatment
Biological treatment, biotransformation and removal of legacy pollutants and emerging threats such as PFAS, endocrine disruptors and antimicrobial resistance genes, using low-carbon bioprocesses including biofiltration, enzymatic breakdown and fungal bioremediation. Contributions are also welcome on biotech-enabled water reuse, membrane bioreactors, nature-based solutions and biotechnological approaches to remediate and restore aquatic ecosystems.
- Biotech for Carbon (Gas) Capture and Utilisation
Biological CO2 fixation using photosynthetic microbes and algae, methane bioconversion, biocatalytic and bio-electrochemical CO2 reduction, and microbe-enhanced carbon sequestration. The session will explore low-energy routes to transform greenhouse gases into biomass, bioplastics, fuels, proteins and platform chemicals, while supporting long-term carbon storage.
- Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Health
Biotechnology for improved nutrient cycling and balance in agriculture and soil restoration, including anaerobic digestion, plant–microbe partnerships, phytoremediation, soil carbon sequestration and the development of alternative fertilisers through biological and bio-electrochemical nutrient recovery.
- Circular Bioeconomy and Waste Valorisation
Advanced anaerobic digestion and biogas-to-biomethane upgrading, enzymatic and microbial depolymerisation of municipal, agricultural and industrial waste streams, integrated bioprocesses for the production of bioplastics, single-cell proteins, organic acids and platform chemicals, bioleaching and microbial recovery of critical raw materials, as well as mycelium and biocement for sustainable construction materials.
- Biotechnological Valorisation of Aquatic Resources
Sustainable valorisation of microalgae, macroalgae, cyanobacteria, fishery and aquaculture side streams, and extremophiles for the production of bio-based polymers, platform chemicals, biomaterials and bioactive compounds. Contributions may also address the recovery of collagen, chitin and bioactive peptides, as well as AI-driven discovery and metabolic engineering of novel aquatic bioactive compounds.
- Monitoring, Digitalisation & Simulation in Environmental Biotechnology
Artificial intelligence, advanced monitoring, digital process models and hybrid modelling approaches supporting environmental biotechnology and bio-based value chains, including bioremediation, precision agriculture, precision fermentation and other environmental applications.
The programme will combine keynote lectures by leading scientists with talks and short presentations by early-career researchers selected from submitted abstracts. Flash poster presentations will also be available.
