Nordic Wood Biorefinery Conference (NWBC) 2024

Welcome to the Nordic Wood Biorefinery Conference (NWBC), where the latest discoveries and innovations in bio-based materials, chemicals, and products from biorefineries will be presented.

This time, the conference is arranged in Örnsköldvik, where the heart of RISE’s research and innovation arena in biorefinery, Bioeconomy Arena, is located. In the midst of the magnificent nature of the High Coast, the Nordic Wood Biorefinery Conference will offer a meeting place between research, innovation and industry, with a focus on value chains for the commercialisation of forest industrial biorefineries.

Learn more here.

Featured image: NWBC

FOREST EUROPE High-Level Talks

Forest Europe invites high-level representatives to their High-Level Policy Dialogue “Growing healthier forests: How can Sustainable Forest Management enhance resilience?”The event will take place on 9 November 2023 at the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture in Berlin, and will be streamed live online.

The event will discuss how Sustainable Forest management (SFM) can serve as a backbone for resilience, stimulating cross-border and cross-sectoral collaboration. It will consist of two consecutive round tables where the Director General and other participants will be able to interact directly with high-level speakers. To set the scene, leading scientists will present a science-policy synthesis and summarise the state-of-the-art research.

This dialogue will be an opportunity to bring together ministers responsible for forests, high-level policymakers, high-level representatives of environmental organisations, forest managers, forest owners, researchers, and youth, creating an opportunity to encourage synergies within the pan-European region and beyond.

The FOREST EUROPE Secretariat will prepare and widely disseminate “take-home messages” after the event in order to highlight the main outcomes of the debate and exchanges from the round tables.

Learn more and view the agenda here.

Norwegian Conference on Wooden Architecture

For 10 years, the Norwegian Conference on Wooden Architecture has highlighted national and international wooden architecture and the use of wood as a building material. The event takes place at DOGA in Oslo on 20th October 2023.

The conference is aimed at architects, the interior industry, healthcare personnel, private and public builders and property developers, contractors, advisers and key players in the forestry and wood processing industries. Public decision-makers, R&D environments and students will greatly benefit from participating.

Language of the event: Norwegian, English.

Read more and register here.

Featured image: Boris K. on Pexels.

Networking Event for Students

Networking Event for Students

Are you a student interested in the circular forest-based bioeconomy?

Join us on 24 October at 17:00 to connect with fellow enthusiasts in the circular forest-based bioeconomy. Expand your network, explore the world of forest bioeconomy, relax in the sauna and savour delicious snacks.

The circular forest-based bioeconomy is an exciting field that offers many opportunities for creativity and innovation. It is a growing sector focused on using forest resources sustainably and circularly.

If you are a student interested in bioeconomy entrepreneurship and ready to change, this event is for you. You will have the opportunity to network with other students, researchers, and businesspeople working in the circular forest-based bioeconomy.

This is an excellent opportunity to learn from others and to build relationships while exploring the world of bioeconomy in a relaxed and informal setting, enjoying a Finnish sauna and savouring delicious snacks.

Register for free here

Where do we meet?

Metsäkeskus, Siltakatu 20 B (4th floor, Metsäkeskus sauna and meeting room), Joensuu, Finland

Agenda

Kindly note that the agenda is subject to change. Stay tuned for updates.

17:00 | Welcoming words

17:10 | Introductions of the participants

17:30 | Bioeconomy and digital services for forest owners

18:00 | Business Joensuu: Start Me Up and Hackathon

18:30 | Discussion on perceptions and ideas of bioeconomy

19:00 | Networking, snacks and sauna

20:30 | End

About us

The NOMADI project supports companies in the forest-based sector by seeking new solutions through the digitalisation of forest services. The project also helps to create new marketing and business concepts, supporting new bioeconomy start-ups and the scale-up of innovations – particularly ideas targeted towards remote private forest owners and forest management services and tools are welcome.

NOMADI is funded by the Regional Council of North Karelia through the European Regional Development Fund as a part of the European Union’s COVID-19 activities (REACT-EU).

Register for free here

The Basque Country presents its advances in bioeconomy for a ‘greener’ future

Originally published on Euskadi (in Spanish)

  • This morning, the Basque Government and the European Forest Institute, in collaboration with the NEIKER technology centre, held the Bioeconomy Innovation Day 2023 to present the latest scientific advances and innovative solutions in the circular economy.
  • The event, attended by some of the most prominent European agents in the bioeconomy, has become a networking space to share success stories and promote learning.
  • This event is part of the Basque Government’s strategy to promote the bioeconomy in the territory and in the business fabric of the Basque Country to achieve more sustainable production.

Wednesday, 4 October 2023. Vital green infrastructures cover more than 54% of the surface area of the Basque Country: forests. Sustainable forest management can help to adapt forests to climate change, balancing the production of timber, non-timber products and ecosystem services.

In a scenario in which the bioeconomy is gaining notoriety, the Basque Country is moving towards the ecological transition by promoting and developing different projects and initiatives related to the bioeconomy and forestry research.

To present their latest developments, the Basque Government and the European Forest Institute (EFI), with the collaboration of the NEIKER technology centre, a member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), held the Bioeconomy Innovation Day this morning in Bilbao, Spain.

The event focused on presenting the latest scientific advances and innovative solutions for different aspects of the forest bioeconomy, such as examples of bio-construction, models for more sustainable and functional forestry or the dissemination of advanced bio-based materials. This sharing has been done through a combination of keynote speeches, short and high-impact presentations of concrete innovative solutions, and networking time.

The event was opened by Bittor Oroz, Vice-minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Food Policy of the Basque Government. Other participants who intervened were Ananya Manna, Investment Director of the European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF) and Leire Barañano, Director General of NEIKER and Vice-President of the Board of Directors of the European Forest Institute (EFI), a European benchmark in forestry research, and Inazio Martínez de Arano, Coordinator of the Bioregions Facility, among others.

During his speech at the opening of the event, Bittor Oroz, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Policy of the Basque Government wanted to highlight the importance of promoting projects that “allow us to transform the economic model of the territory towards a more sustainable production that guarantees the well-being of people and the planet. This conference has allowed us to share with our European colleagues some of the most relevant projects that are being carried out in the Basque Country and which are making the region emerge as one of the bio-economic focal points of Europe”.

A European knowledge network

Networking was one of the highlights of the day. The event was attended by some of the main European players in the bioeconomy innovation ecosystem from fields as diverse as research, forestry management, industry, business, finance, government and civil society.

In fact, during the event, some of the successful cases of acceleration and support for the bioeconomy and sustainable forest management in European regions such as Germany, Finland and Ireland were shared. In the case of the Basque Country, the example of Enkarterri was highlighted, an initiative presented by Peli Manterola, director of HAZI, which is becoming a powerful bioeconomy hub that integrates training, entrepreneurship and business activities.

Towards more sustainable production

The Basque Country has been working for years in the field of the circular economy. In fact, according to data from the Basque Government’s Department of Economic Development, Sustainability and Environment, since 2000, the Basque economy has grown by 26%, while the consumption of materials has been reduced by 25% and the volume of urban waste in landfill has been reduced by 56%. In this time of ecological transition, the region’s economy is decoupling itself from the consumption of materials and the generation of waste through various measures and projects such as those mentioned above to promote the circular economy.

In this context, in October 2022, the Basque Government approved the Circular Economy and Bioeconomy Plan (in Spanish), an initiative aligned with the European Green Pact, which seeks to boost efficiency in the consumption of raw materials, reduce waste and optimise clean production. Among other challenges, this plan plans to increase material productivity by 30%, reduce the waste generation rate by 10% and position the Basque Country among the leaders of the circular economy in Europe.

This event is part of the Basque Government’s strategy to promote the bioeconomy in the territory and in the business fabric of the Basque Country through projects, platforms and initiatives to transform the linear production model – based on the continuous and growing extraction of raw materials – into a more sustainable production, which guarantees human well-being and the health of the planet and which allows the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the UN to be achieved.

Exploring carbon market solutions: Forestry Speed Dating new series

Forests capture and store carbon are crucial in mitigating climate change. Carbon farming, which applies land management practices that increase the amount of carbon stored in soil and vegetation, is an excellent strategy to exploit forests’ potential to contribute to climate goals.

Still, incentives to promote adopting climate-friendly practices need to be widespread across Europe.

The forest carbon market has become economically attractive for businesses to offset emissions and for landowners to support them financially while contributing to forest conservation and restoration. This fast market development raises the necessity to secure sustainability across the chain.

This requires implementing and scaling up solutions that measure and monitor carbon accurately, support small and medium landowners, create rigorous verification schemes and incentivise fair market conditions.

To promote such innovations, the European Forest Institute – Bioregions Facility has launched the third series of Forestry Speed Dating (FSD), an online event series to support innovative solutions in the bioeconomy. This series will explore how to unlock the potential of forest carbon markets with innovative solutions.

The solutions will be presented in a four-event format September–December 2023, ranging from carbon measuring, monitoring, and reporting to carbon marketplaces.

Registration for the Unlocking forest carbon markets – Event 1 of the FSD 3rd Series on 14 September 2023 at 14:00 CEST (new date) is now open; meet and connect with Skoog and Treemetrics innovators and learn more about their solutions, ask questions and find ways for collaboration—don’t miss out and register now.


Unlocking forest carbon markets – Event 1 of FSD 3rd Series

Bioeconomy Innovation Day 2023 explores multifunctional forestry and bio-based construction

To foster a stronger bioeconomy development, innovation is key to accelerating progress towards a circular, carbon-neutral economy. Bioeconomy researchers, policymakers and entrepreneurs help shape bioeconomy innovations that have the potential to bring about sustainable and transformative change for the forest-based sector.

On 4 October 2023, the European Forest InstituteBioregions Facility, Neiker and the Government of Basque Country, Spain, join to discuss pressing issues on sustainable and multifunctional forestry, advanced biomaterials and bio-based construction at the Bioeconomy Innovation Day 2023.

Financers, policymakers, and key actors in the bioeconomy innovation ecosystem, from research, business, forest management, industry, and civil society, will meet and explore new opportunities to drive the green transition. 

Start-ups, entrepreneurs, researchers, NGOs, venture and impact investors, all bioeconomy stakeholders, and society are invited to submit their innovations for a chance to pitch their solutions at the Bioeconomy Innovation Day in Bilbao, Spain.

View the agenda here (last update: 27 September 2023).

Bioeconomy innovation agenda

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Agenda for Wednesday (4 October 2023) – CEST

Get your ticket:

  • 8:15 | Registration
  • 9:00 | Welcoming words
  • Bittor Oroz, Vice-minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Food Policy
  • 9:10 | Regenerative forestry: Boosting economic growth and natural assets side by side
  • Timo Lehesvirta, Leading Nature Expert, Metsä Group
  • 9:35 | Why Investing in the European Bioeconomy?
  • Ananya Manna, Investment Director, European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF)
  • 10:00 | Introduction to the Sessions and Networking Methodology
  • Leire Barañano, General Director, Neiker

Session 1 Sustainable and Multifunctional Forestry

  • 10:05 | Challenges and Opportunities for European Forestry
  • Bart Muys, Division Forest, Nature and Landscape, KU Leuven, Belgium
  • 10:30 | Solution providers
  • Zerticarbon: Blockchain-certified carbon sink solutions
  • HAZI: Digital tools for forest inventory and monitoring
  • Fortra: Traceability of wood products by the Xunta de Galicia
  • ArboFiRM: Digital twins of forest to mitigate forest fires by Arbonaut
  • VigilanTree: Artificial Intelligence and image classification to better understand our Ecosystems by Cesefor
  • 11:30 | Networking & coffee break

Session 2 Advanced Bio-based Materials 

  • 12:00 | Policy and Market Trends in the Material Use of Biomass
  • Michael Carus, Managing Director, nova-Institute GmbH
  • 12:25 | Solution providers
  • Evolgene: Cellulose nanocrystals for industrial and biomedical applications
  • Axalko: High-end bicycle frames made of natural fibres
  • Biorefformed: Mediterranean biorefinery to produce added value products
  • 13:30 | The Basque Green Deal and the Bioeconomy
  • Arantxa Tapia, Minister of Economic Development, Sustainability and the Environment
  • 14:00 | Lunch and networking

Session 3: A Boost for the Forest Bioeconomy Innovation Lessons from European Regions

  • 15:00 | Presentation of best cases of the acceleration and support of the bioeconomy in European regions: 
  • Irish Bioeconomy Foundation: Discovering the full potential of the Irish Bioeconomy
  • Enkarterri: New accelerating service of the bioeconomy in Euskadi
  • BioBoost: Accelerating the bioeconomy in Catalonia
  • Business Joensuu: Bioeconomy Innovation in the forest capital of Europe
  • Bioeconomy Austria: The gateway to the Austrian bioeconomy
  • Coffee, local sweets & Networking 
  • 17:30 | End of the Bioeconomy Innovation Day

How alternative proteins and new ways of forest valorisation can help the environment?

The BIT Congress (Congrés BIT in Catalan) will be held on 28–29 September 2023 in Lleida, Spain. This year’s theme is focused on “special alternative protein and forest valorisation.”

The Congrés BIT 2023 Lleida Edition brings together experts and entrepreneurs from the bioeconomy industry to explore the latest innovations and business projects. Aiming to strengthen the ecosystem of companies, technology and research centres, entrepreneurs and start-ups in the Catalan region, thereby promoting growth and progress in these key sectors.

Check out the preliminary agenda (last update: 6 July 2023):

Agenda

Day 1: Thursday (28 September 2023)

9:00–9:30 | Opening doors and accreditations

9:30–10:00 | Welcome event and inauguration of the Congrés BIT 2023 Lleida Edition

10:00–10:30 | Inaugural session

10:30–10:50 | Presentation on the capacity mapping study in alternative protein processing in Catalonia

10:50–11:15 | The vision and the role of companies in alternative protein value chains and new ways of forest valorisation

11:15–11:45 | Coffee break

11:45–12:15 | Sessions

Alternative protein (1) – Strategic vision of human nutrition: trends and challenges

New ways of forest valorisation (1) – Strategic vision of forest valorisation: trends and challenges

12:15–13:30 | Sessions

Alternative protein (2) – New raw materials for human nutrition

New ways of forest valorisation (2) – Carbon markets: perspectives, methodologies and standards for quantification

13:30–15:00 | Lunch-networking

15:00–16:15 | Sessions

Alternative protein (3) – Transformation processes and technologies

New ways of forest valorisation (3) – Forest biorefineries: the road to industrialisation

16:15–17:30 | Sustainability is profitable: bioECONOMY.

Day 2: Friday (29 September 2023)

9:30–11:00 | Services and capacities of universities and technological centres

11:00–11:30 | Coffee break

11:30–12:00 | BIOHUB CAT presentation

12:00–13:30 | Rock Stars: leaders of the bioeconomy

13:30–13:45 | Final remarks of the Congrés BIT 2023 Lleida Edition

13:45–14:00 | Closing

14:00–15:30 | Lunch-networking

16:00 | BIT Expo Conference (FIRA)

Visit the Congrés BIT 2023 website for the latest updates, news and speakers.

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