On June 11, 2025, the LUCRA consortium hosted a hybrid workshop titled “Municipal biowaste as feedstock in a sustainable and circular bioeconomy” in the scenic harbor city of Chania, Crete, at the Center of Mediterranean Architecture. Organized in collaboration with the Agricultural University of Athens and the local municipal waste company DEDISA SA, the event gathered experts, stakeholders, and the public for a day of knowledge-sharing, innovation, and meaningful dialogue.

Designed as both an on-site and online event, the workshop welcomed participants interested in biowaste valorization, biotechnology, circular economy innovations, and sustainable resource use. The hybrid format allowed for broad participation across Europe and beyond.

Exploring the Potential of Municipal Biowaste

At the heart of the workshop was a central question: How can municipal biowaste be transformed into a valuable resource within sustainable and circular bioeconomy systems?

Through presentations, case studies, and an insightful roundtable discussion, the workshop explored state-of-the-art approaches to transforming organic municipal waste into bio-based products such as bioplastics, bioadhesives, and polyurethanes. Researchers, industry representatives, and policymakers shared results from pilot initiatives and discussed pathways for real-world implementation.

Highlights from the Workshop

Participants gained insights into:

• Circular applications in municipal waste collection and management
• Technological innovations turning organic waste into high-value materials
• Environmental and economic evaluations of bio-based alternatives
• Success stories and bottlenecks from across Europe
• Practical examples of biobased packaging, adhesives, and coatings derived from municipal waste streams

A Strong Lineup of Experts

The event featured presentations by leading experts from research institutions, waste management companies, and the private sector, including:

• Apostolis Koutinas, Agricultural University of Athens
• Christina Tsamoutsoglou, DEDISA SA
• Marina Navarro Clemente, FCC Medio Ambiente
• Tanja Meyer, Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant
• Korneel Rabaey, Ghent University
• Dimitrios Bikiaris, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
• Demetres Briassoulis, Agricultural University of Athens
• Rubin Huang, Covestro
• Konstantina Karydi, CHIMAR HELLAS SA
• Ladakis Dimitris, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
• Narinder Bains, iNeuvo Ltd

Roundtable: From Vision to Implementation

The event concluded with a thought-provoking roundtable discussion, where panelists addressed some of the most pressing questions in the transition toward a circular bioeconomy:

• What are the major limitations and scaling barriers in bringing bio-based products to market?
• How can conventional waste management sites be reimagined as biorefineries?
• Which policy incentives and regulatory changes are most urgently needed?
• What technical or economic challenges still hinder the substitution of conventional plastics and adhesives with bio-based alternatives?
• How can research and industry collaboration be strengthened to accelerate commercialization?
• And finally, what lessons can be learned from projects like LUCRA?

The discussion underscored the need for interdisciplinary cooperation, supportive policy environments, and targeted funding to bridge the gap between pilot-scale innovation and full-scale implementation.

Photo Gallery

Workshop Recording

The complete workshop was recorded and can be watched on YouTube.

The LUCRA consortium extends sincere thanks to all speakers, participants, and partners, especially to DEDISA SA and the Municipality of Chania, for their essential contributions to this successful event.

Stay tuned for more updates from LUCRA as we continue working toward circular, regionally adapted, and sustainable bioeconomy solutions across Europe!