Bioeconomy Symposium: Advancing Sustainable Innovation

Bioeconomy Symposium: Advancing Sustainable Innovation

We warmly invite you to the Bioeconomy Symposium, a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, build enduring research networks, and shape the future of sustainable innovation in the field of bioeconomy. This event brings together participants from across Europe, ensuring a vibrant and diverse exchange of perspectives.

Goals of the Symposium

The symposium connects researchers, industry professionals, and other multipliers to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and cultivate meaningful partnerships. By building new research consortia, participants will lay the foundation for impactful joint projects and develop proposals for regional, national and European funding opportunities. The event will also raise awareness of emerging bioeconomy innovations, inspire innovative approaches, and promote solutions that address local and global challenges, including climate change and sustainable resource use.

Keynote Session

“How Sustainable is it? State and Trends of the German Bioeconomy" Discover key trends and challenges shaping the future of bioeconomy with Roman Hinz, Kassel Institute for Sustainability, Center for Environmental Systems Research, University of Kassel.
Join Roman Hinz, a key contributor to the SYMOBIO project and co-author of its recent monitoring report, as he us on a deep dive into the current state and trajectory of the bioeconomy in Germany. In this keynote, he will unpack the latest findings on innovation dynamics, sustainability challenges, and key policy recommendations. Get ready for an engaging session that will provide fresh perspectives on how bioeconomy developments impact research, industry, and sustainable growth.

Interactive Workshops
The workshops are at the heart of the symposium, offering hands-on opportunities to explore cutting-edge bioeconomy topics. These sessions run in parallel, allowing participants to engage deeply with the subject matter most relevant to their interests.

“From Waste to Fuel, Fertilizer, Feed, and Biopolymers” with Prof. Christoph Koch, University of Applied Sciences Jena
This workshop explores innovative chemical processes for transforming organic waste into valuable products such as biofuels, fertilizers, and biopolymers. Participants will gain insights into sustainable waste valorization strategies and their potential applications in a circular economy.

“Monitoring Bioprocesses: Real-time Protein Concentration Determination” with Dr. Sarah Ann Hofbrucker MacKenzie, FluIDect GmbH
Learn about the latest advancements in at-line biosensor technology for bioprocess monitoring. This session focuses on the specific and quantitative determination of protein concentrations in fermentation processes, enhancing efficiency and quality control in biotechnological applications.

“Functional Materials for Vertical Farms” with Dr. Franziska Scheffler & Prof. Dr. Michael Stelter, both Friedrich Schiller University Jena
Vertical farming offers a highly efficient approach to plant production but still faces challenges in energy-intensive cooling, humidity control, and lighting. This workshop explores how advanced materials - such as functional ceramics and glass - can enhance these systems. The discussion will focus on innovative sensor technologies and the potential of high-value crops, including pharmaceutical plants, in next-generation vertical farms.

In addition to these highlights, short and impactful lightning talks will provide fresh perspectives on research and innovation in bioeconomy, encouraging interdisciplinary exchange. The program also offers dedicated networking opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals, discuss shared interests, and lay the groundwork for future collaborations.

A detailed agenda with exact session timings and further speaker Information can be downloaded here soon.

Register Now!

Secure your spot today and join us in advancing sustainable innovation in bioeconomy. Please use the form below to register (because for technical reasons there will be no replies on gmail-E-Mail, but you can use for registration).

Additional Notes

• The symposium will be held entirely in English to facilitate international participation.
• The workshops listed above represent a selection of topics. Additional workshops may be announced closer to the event.

Organizers

This event is hosted by JenaVersum e.V., the Research and Transfer Service Center of Friedrich Schiller University Jena, and the Nucleus Jena Project.