BIOBRIDGES LEGACY

Currently he is the owner and CEO of Croatian Bio plastics company Bio-mi. The company is a Biobased Industries Consortium full member and active in the following BBI JU projects:

• Effective
• Ecoat
• Mandala
• BIOnTOP
• Usable Packaging

From 1999-2015 he has worked at Mi-Plast SME company where his work was dedicated on ales of products and development of new products which were aligned with customer needs and on the other hand were creating products that are environmental friendly. From 2010 until now he is dedicated to work with bio-materials and specifically bio-polymers i.e. bio-plastics through many projects which Mi-Plast company worked and is still working or implementing.

Related projects are:

• H2020- Circ05 Res Urbis
• H2020-Circ01 Circ pack
• H2020 BBI Funguschain
• H2020 BBI Hyperbiocoat
• H2020 BBI Pulpacktion
• H2020 BBI Afterlife
• H2020 BBI Refucoat
• FP7- Bio-Qed
• Life+ Ecomethylal

Except significant innovation project management he is strongly dedicated and focused on spreading and widening of bio-economy and bio industry in East and South East Europe. In other words in under developed member states and associated member states e.g (ex Yugoslavia). Integration of East and South East member states and partners in frame of bio-economy started and it will be a long process where strong participation of this company could bring benefits from one side to EC and from the other side to other partners and companies in dedicated geographical area.

BIOVEGEN is a private association composed up to now by 103 members (companies and research institutions) operating in the field of plant production. BIOVEGEN is also supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovacion.

BIOVEGEN’s main objective is to promote development of the Spanish Agrifood sector through innovation and new technologies and products with a focus in Applied Plant Biology. BIOVEGEN acts as a services provider of R&D management and provide business opportunities to its members: R&D financing, search of partners and clients, relations with the Administration, networking, participation in events, access to reports and information about the sector (R&d proposals marketplace, qualified human resources…) and more services focused on business development through innovation.

He is a journalist and a blogger, member of the Journalist Register of Lombardy. In October 2012 he founded Il Bioeconomista, The First Bioeconomy Blog (www.ilbioeconomista.com), which is today a reference point in the world debate on the bioeconomy. In the past Mario Bonaccorso collaborated with the newspaper Il Manifesto, where he contributed in the launch of the new insert publication Il Capitale, dedicated to Finance and Economy, and with the on line newspaper Affari Italiani (www.affaritaliani.it). Currently, he is regular contributor to Renewable Matter (www.renewablematter.eu).

Mario Bonaccorso graduated in Political Science at the University of Milan in 1998 and specialized in History of the European Union at the University of Aachen (RWTH, Germany). Ex lecturer of History of International Relations at the University of Milan, where he investigated the History of the European Integration through the German Historical Documents, in 2003 at the same University I obtained the Master in Labour Studies.

I collaborated in over 18 research projects and authored/coauthored 31 peer reviewed scientific papers, 3 book chapters, >100 scientific conference contributions and media appearances. In the recent years, I have started actively engaging in scientific communication, an area that has been largely neglected so far. My success in this field is being confirmed by my appointment as an external expert of the European Commission for Communication, as a spokesperson for communication in the COST Action of DNAqua-Net and as the leader of dissemination and communication work package in H2020 project GoJelly.

My great passion is marine biotechnology, and I am striving to establish a research group to study the biological diversity of marine (micro)organisms in Slovenia, to get to know and exploit their biotechnological potential and conduct research until commercialization, possibly establishing spin-offs or partnering with industry representatives. We have been granted a H2020 GoJelly project, where we will use jellyfish to produce a biofilter for microplastics particles, and we will use the organisms in cosmetics as a fertilizer, as food for people and fish in aquaculture.

DRS serves clients in the profit and non-profit sector of Life Sciences. DRS, Jos Frantzen, is founder and manager of the European research infrastructure EUPLANTCROPP. The research infrastructure facilities R&D of industry and academia to use plant compounds for sustainable crop protection replacing synthetic pesticides. DRS, Jos Frantzen, was, and is, involved in the valorisation of plant compounds in cosmetics.

Jos Frantzen did not write scientific publications only. He published several articles in Dutch Newspapers and popular journals directed to, research, agriculture, and health care. Jos Frantzen follows the public debate closely with respect to sustainability including the need of bio-based economy.
Jos Frantzen is aware of the necessity of European collaboration to master the current challenges with respect to environment and economics. He is experienced and trained in setting up trans-national collaborations supported by his ability to express in several languages, i.e. English, German, French and Dutch.

In the past time in different positions: leader of research teams and director of research institutions and acting in several Slovak and international professional and advisory organisations, unions and associations.

Since 2005 to 2009: the member of the Standing Committee of Agricultural Research of EU and the Member of Program Committee of the 7th Framework Program of EU.

Coordinator and a member of consortia of many national and international projects included EU framework programs projects.
Author of hundreds scientific and practical articles.

From 2019 she is a coordinator of EIT Food Hub in SR, contact person for the AgroBioFood Nitra National Platform for food and biotechnology as the official representative of the SR in relation to European and international initiatives and programmes, contact person for SR for Research Infrastructure for Food, Nutrition, and Health coordinated by Wageningen University, the SAFE Consortium and the FOODforce. She is a member of the Excellent scientific team Center of Animal Reproduction.

Publications: more than 440, citations: more than 400. National Research and Educational Projects (more than 20): Principal investigator of 7 national projects (APVV General Call, VEGA, KEGA, GA SPU in Nitra, Tatra banka Foundation), deputy of principal investigator in 3 projects and co-researcher in the other projects (more than 10 ).

International Research Projects (No. 5): Principal investigator of EIT Food Hub 2019, the APVV bilateral project Slovakia - France, deputy of principal investigator of the APVV bilateral project, Slovakia–Poland and member of the Management Committee of 2 European COST projects RGB-Net and SALAAM.

The main activities have been centred on searching and applying biotechnological solutions for waste treatment and valorisation via mycological and bacterial ways. Highly experienced on the management and implementation of composting schemes in schools, households, companies and NGO.

Working in AITEX, since April 2015, in international project proposal writing, management and execution, in calls as LIFE, BBI in research projects focused mainly in the finding of a sustainable and bio-based solution to reduce or substitute contaminant ingredients and compounds in textile, food, feed and cosmetics applications. Among other types of projects, it can be mentioned TENDER project management.
At the moment, I am coordinating a BBI project consortium, developing a research project on the exploitation of aquatic biomass for application in food, feed and cosmetic industries. On the other hand, also managing a TENDER project focused on supporting with grants design-oriented projects.

Within his career, he was working in top management positions in blue-chip firms, and last 10 years he is engaged in renewable energy sources projects related to the cultivation and utilization of agricultural residues and energy crops in the purpose of pellets production and their conversion into heat and electricity.

Mr Chabannyi is responsible for the establishment and development of BEECO, a vertically integrated business to grow and process Perennial Lignocellulosic Crops for biomass conversion to energy, biofuels, non-woody fiber, bioplastics and other biomaterials. BEECO commercially cultivates Miscanthus x giganteus - a large, perennial grass hybrid - and develops the sustainable biomass feedstock supply chains in Croatia, aiming to become a leading supplier of cellulosic biomass feedstock in the Western Balkans region.

Master Degree in Environmental Management and Engineering from EOI – Business School and a Master Degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Seville.

Currently, I am Open Innovation Manager of SusChem Spain, supporting the activities aimed at boosting collaboration projects in sustainable chemistry and industrial biotechnology.

Some achievements include a 1 PhD thesis supervised (fire retardancy of biobased flexible foams), 11 ISI publications and an h index value of 7. Project coordinator of HIFIVENT project (FP7-SME-2013-2016) “High durable and fire performing WPC for ventilated façades”, focused on the improvement of the fire performance of WPC for application in ventilated facades.

Researcher in charge of the fire research in OSIRYS project (FP7-NMP-2013-2017) “Forest based composites for façades and interior partitions to improve indoor air quality in new builds and restoration” coordinated by TECNALIA and focused in a biobased multilayer façade. Project coordinator of REHAP project :(H2020-SPIRE03-2016-2020) ”Systemic approach to Reduce Energy demand and CO2 emissions of processes that transform agroforestry waste into High Added Value Products” focused in the revalorization of agro-forestry wastes and the development of high added value products for construction sector.

In ENEA I mainly work on LCA, Industrial symbiosis and circular economy strategies implementation and on Green Public Procurement (GPP) application.

Before she came to Ghent, Belgium, she was Project Manager for several FP7/Horizon 2020 projects and Networking associations at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation in Germany, in the area of micro-and nanotechnology, cyber-physical systems and smart devices.

She is currently the coordinator of BioBase4SME, an Interreg NWE Project aiming to enhance the competitive landscape for SMEs in North-West Europe. Tanja Meyer holds a master’s degree in Technology and Innovation Management (The University of Brisbane) and an engineer degree in Bio-and Nanotechnologies (University of Applied Science Suedwestfalen). Her passion lies in exploring new networking opportunities, communicating biobased solutions, travelling with her backpack, and Latin dance.

He is coordinator of STAR-ProBio, an H2020 research project aiming at developing sustainability assessment tools for bio-based products and promote their market penetration.

Piergiuseppe is head of the Bioeconomy in Transition Research Group, a research unit at Unitelma Sapienza involved in research concerning the emergence of a circular and bio-based economy.

Piergiuseppe is member of the Editorial Boards of Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry (ELSEVIER) and Open Agriculture (De Gruyter Open) and acts as Guest Editor for various journal including the Journal of Cleaner Production (ELSEVIER) and Sustainability (MDPI).
Since July 2019 he has been appointed Economic Advisor of the Italian Minister of the Environment, Land and Sea Protection.

Glanbia Ireland owns leading consumer and agri brands such as Avonmore, Kilmeaden Cheese, Premier Milk, Wexford, mymilkman.ie and GAIN Animal Nutrition. It processes a 2.4 billion litre milk pool from 21 counties in Ireland and exports high quality dairy and agri ingredients as well as branded products to over 60 countries.

Glanbia Ireland are the co-ordinating partner of the BBI JU funded AgriChemWhey project. It is the first dairy industry project to be awarded funding under the programme. The project will explore the development of a new state-of-the-art, bio-refinery at Lisheen, Co Tipperary with a world-first process for converting by-products from the dairy industry into high value bio-based products including biodegradable plastics.

His research focuses on bioprocess and biorefinery development including process design, techno-economic evaluation and life cycle assessment. Emphasis is given on sustainability assessment for the production of bio-based chemicals and polymers (e.g. succinic acid, 2,3-butanediol, polyhydroxyalkanoates, microbial oil, bacterial cellulose) within a circular economy context. Since 2011, he has participated in more than 20 ongoing or completed research projects funded by national and international funding agencies.

He has published more than 125 research, review and editorial papers in peer-reviewed international scientific journals (h index 28 excluding self-citations, scopus database) and 16 book chapters. He currently serves as Deputy Editor in the Biochemical Engineering Journal (Elsevier).

Many rural regions in Greece suffer from low value wheat monoculture, unemployment and brain drain. The concept of STARAMAKI is based on the needs and strengths of the Kilkis region. Wheat is the main crop in the Kilkis region and exhibits water-resistance properties.

Staramaki is a byproduct of wheat cultivation as it is made from the stalk left over after wheat grains are harvested.
Staramaki Project sets an example for other regions in Greece to develop similar bioeconomy solutions based on local characteristics in order to cover local needs in economy and society.

I was Professor of Food Technology at both the National Spanish Research Council (CSIC) and the University of Valencia. Actually, I am Vicepresident of R&D on Health & Wellness at Archers Daniel Midland (ADM). I am author of 150 articles in peer reviewed journals and co-author of more than 30 families of patents covering 450 IP documents, most of them transferred as products in the market.

I have obtained the Prize of the Spanish Society of Microbiology, the Prize of the Spain Danone Institute, the European Prize for Scientific Dissemination, the Juan de la Cierva National Research Prize, the International Hipocrates Prize, the Medal for the Promotion of Invention of the García Cabrerizo Foundation and the International Nutrachampion Award.

I am Academic of the Royal Academy of Engineering of Spain. I belongs to the Governing Council of the CSIC. In addition, I am Vicepresident of the Board of Directors of the Association of Spanish biotechnology companies (ASEBIO).

1986-2012 European Commission, Brussels. Directorate General Research and Innovation. He occupied different positions such as: Head of Unit Biotechnologies (2006-12); Head of Unit International Scientific Cooperation (2004-06); Head of Unit Applied Genomics and Biotechnology (2002-04); Head of Unit “Cell Factory” (1999-2002); Head of Unit Demonstration Projects in Life Sciences (1997-99); plus, different positions as Principal Scientific Officer and Scientific Officer

1981-1986 Associate Professor of Microbiology (Profesor Titular), University of León, Spain and University Complutense of Madrid (1986-2012, “servicios especiales”; 2012 - present day “excedencia voluntaria por interés particular”).

1983 Visiting Fellow, Institut für Zellbiologie, Eidgenössische Technishe Hochschule (ETH), Zurich

1979-1981 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, John Innes Institute (Norwich, UK) with an EMBO fellowship

1975-79 PhD Biochemistry at the Institute of Enzymology, CSIC – Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University Autonomous of Madrid

1974-75 Lever Ibérica, SA, (Unilever), Department of R&D

1974 Graduate in Chemistry (Biochemsitry), University Complutense of Madrid

Owner of 3 Japanese patents, about 200 publications on science management and science policy and more than 85 publications on experimental research

Interested in the dialogue science – society, astronomy, writing

Coordinator of several EU projects, I have been involved in the development and management of projects from FP6 to H2020.
Representative of InKemia towards organizations such as BBI, and EuropaBio ASEBIO industrial biotechnology workgroup and the SUSCHEM reaction and processes workgroup.

Also I am representative of InKemia at public bodies such as CDTI, ACC1Ò and Madrid Community (SPAIN) and EU commission, and BBI-JU

I have 13 years of experience in the management of R&D projects in the pharmaceutical, chemical, food and biotechnology sector.

Since 2007, I am the person in charge of Project Management at Biosearch Life, where I have developed a relevant career in the leadership and coordination of large collaborative national R & D & I projects.

I also have experience in the application and participation in European proposals FP6, FP7 and H2020. IP knowledge.
Author of 13 scientific publications in journals of high impact index and various contributions to Congresses.

He was a member of the consortium that wrote the European Commission’s Research and Innovation Policy for Bio-based Products (BIO-SPRI). His work also includes overseeing the leading European event on the business of the bio-economy, World Bio Markets.

A passionate believer that we need to do business in a different and better way, he sees bio-based products, materials and chemicals as powerful tools in making this change. Originally from South Wales, he now lives in London, where he is married with two young children.

Mr. Tilga is an environment, energy, climate, bioeconomy - green Economy advisor. Organizer of environmental festival Rohevik. Interested in public policy and community approach in supporting the uptake of bioeconomy; some socio-economic trend perspective and systems approach at the intersection of energy, bioeconomy, spatial planning. The Council is also responsible for introducing the Nordic eco-label to Estonia.

Mr. Tilga has over 6 years of experience in facilitating bioeconomy uptake in co-operation between Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and Nordic countries. This often means setting up round tables, making business and public seminars, arranging hackathons, observing the work of Baltic Sea Region Bioeconomy council and being engaged in local level strategy discussions.

Mainly interested in diversification of biomass production, how to find the best economic and environmental benefit from various biological streams. And how to make it happen on the small scale on the local and regional level by applying nature-based solutions or Blue economy principles.

She was manager of Research, Development and Innovation department in FIAB and Secretary General of Technological Platform Food for Life-Spain (PTF4LS), where she manages national and EU R&D projects (from 2007 till 2017).

Since 2015 Nuria Mª Arribas was coordinator of the Spanish bioeconomy strategy. Earlier (2002-2006), she was director of the website www.informacionconsumidor for the Foundation ALIMENTUM and she has been mayor of a small village, Pinilla del Valle (Madrid), for 4 years (2003-2007).

She was associate professor/teacher in different universities:

• Spanish Economic History in Charles III University of Madrid (2006-2008)
• Master of Research, Development and Innovation & food safety in Complutense University of Madrid (2016)
• Master's Degree in Biotechnology Business Management in CEU San Pablo University (2016) Master of biotechnology, research and food safety in Miguel de Cervantes European University (2014-till now)

Nuria Mª Arribas has an experience in organizing sessions at international congresses such as: Aliber 2016-2018 in Alimentaria Fair, Barcelona; Alibetopias 2016-2018 and Nutraceuticals 2017-2018 which were in Madrid.

I am currently an independent research and innovation consultant in the fields of agri-food and bioeconomics.

I have been Director of the National Institute of Agrifood Technology Research in Spain for six years, until mid-2018. The main activities in this position have been: coordination of agri-food and forestry research and technology activities in Spain, execution of research projects in that field and international representation in that area (G20, SCAR, Latin America, bilateral), in addition to maintain continuous contacts with companies and sector organizations, to promote public-private collaboration.

During that time, I coordinated the Spanish bioeconomy strategy; planning, preparation, preparation and presentation. After approval, I coordinated the Spanish bioeconomy observatory for two years. I have also been General Director of Agrifood Research and Technology, in the Valencian Community, managing regional competencies in research, experimentation, training and technology transfer in the field of agri-food. At the same time, I have supervised the control of phytosanitary products.

I have been an associate professor at the Valencian Polytechnic University for ten years.

He began his research and teaching career at that university, acting as an assistant professor for 2 years. Later, he coordinated the R&D department in
Alquimia Soluciones Ambientales, S.L. for 6 years, where he was responsible for the coordination, application and management of all types of R+D+i projects.

Then, for 2 years, he was the plant supervisor of the CLAMBER Project for the IRIAF. There, he was in charge of the preparation of technical
specifications of the actions included in the project, evaluation of proposals, supervision of the construction of the current CLAMBER R&D Biorefinery, supervision of the projects developed by the different winners and of the technical justification of the funds of the CLAMBER project itself. Currently and since March 2017, he works as Scientific Coordinator of the CLAMBER R & D Biorefinery, where he is responsible for the coordination, application and management of R & D projects related to the valorization of biomass and biotechnology.

Throughout his career, he has participated in 13 R&D projects funded by competitive public calls, where 3 of them are from European calls. In addition, he has participated in 8 private projects contracted by companies, in 8 scientific publications and in a large number of informative publications and congresses.

She has coordinated the participation of ceiA3 in 12 operational regional groups and 2 operational national group. Member of the governance board of the Andalusian Rural Development Programme.

During her position as Head of Quality and Agrifood Promotion Service in the Regional Ministry of Andalusia (2009-2013) she was responsible of the regulation of differentiated food quality schemes. She was responsible in Andalusia of competent service in the areas of:

• Management of Promotion measures of agrifood and quality schemes (EAGF and EAFRD).
• Development of quality standards and regulations and specifications for food products.
• Drafting and processing of the Law of Food Quality and Fisheries of Andalusia.

During her position as Advisor to the General Director of Industries and Food Quality (2004-2009) she was responsible of the coordination of the Rural Development Plan 2007-2013 of the DG measures.

• Member of the organizing Committee of annual Congress of the Iberoamerican Network for the Innovation in the Agrifood Sector (INNOVAGRO 2014).

She has worked for the Institute of Mediterranean Agricultural and Environmental Sciences of the University of Evora as a researcher and international project officer mostly regarding H2020 projects as well as international cooperation for development project officer for several non gubernamental organisations. She is currently responsible for the Bioeconomy Strategy at ceiA3.

National Expert in FP at the DG-DEVCO European Commission, Unit C1 Food Security, Nutrition and Sustainable Agriculture 2013-2014

Member of expert´s Focus Group of the European Innovation Partnership in Agriculture (EIP-AGRI) “Circular Horticulture” 2018-2019

Vice-chancellor of Research Development and Innovation 2015

Director of the Research Results Transfer Office 2013-2015

Deputy director of the Research Centre of Agri-food Biotechnology (CIAIMBITAL) 2009-20015

Advisor of Central Services for Research at the University of Almeria 2006-2009

Advisor of IAEA-FAO Commitee in the field of analytical chemistry, 2003-2004

Agnes works with the aim to improve understanding, awareness and development of a more enabling policy environment for Industrial Biotech and bio-based products in Europe, further the transition towards a circular bioeconomy and other priorities. Her tasks range from strategy and policy analysis and drafting to outreach, coalition building and event organisation. The latter includes leading the core organising team of EFIB - the European Forum for Industrial Biotechnology and the Bioeconomy. She also leads EuropaBio’s work in the European Bioeconomy Alliance, where EuropaBio is a founding member.

Prior to joining EuropaBio, Agnes worked as Public Affairs Consultant for Weber Shandwick Brussels during five years. Environment, sustainability and resource efficiency were her main areas of specialisation.

She has prior work experience from the European Parliament and the Swedish Embassy in Lisbon and holds a Master of Political Science (Politices Magisterexamen) from the University of Lund, Sweden, as well as a Master of Arts in EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies from the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium. Apart from her native Swedish, she speaks English, Spanish and French.

2019-Today. FIAB (Federación española de Industrias de Alimentación y Bebidas). Director de I+D.
Secretario Gral. De la Plataforma Tecnologica “Food for Life-Spain”.

2013-2019. CDTI (Directorate, Promotion & Cooperation). Specialist/advisor in Bioeconomy, Food and Beverages Sector:

2010-2013. CDTI (Directorate, Global Innovative Markets). Specialist/advisor in Agri-Food Sector:

2009-2010. CDTI (International Directorate). Officer in Agri-food, Biotech and Health Technologies:

2005-2009. CDTI (Technology Directorate): Expert evaluator in Agri-Food projects

2002-2004. Comunidad de Madrid (Innovation Directorate): Head of Department “Promotion of the innovation”

2001-2000. Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología de España (Fundación Fomento Innovación Industrial). Evaluation and Monitoring in Agri-food and Biotech

1998-1999. DESHERCA INGENIEROS, S.A. Technical and Economical Consultant

1999-2002 Universidad Politécnica de Madrid/Escuela Técnica Superior Ingenieros Agrónomos

• Teaching Experience in several courses "Food Technology and Processg" for four terms.
• Teacher in a Master´s Degree in “Viticulture and Oenology” (2002)