Turning Underutilised Resources into Economic & Environmental Value

Industrial-Urban Symbiosis (I-US) enables new business opportunities though the collaboration of diverse stakeholders across various sectors. Hereby, this innovative approach facilitates the exchange of underutilised resources, e.g. by-products, residues, energy, water, capacities, and expertise, keeping materials productive longer. By repurposing outputs as inputs, I-US can minimise resource extraction, cut costs, and advance objectives of the EU Circular Economy Action Plan.

Key criteria of this value creation are aligned stakeholder interest and the exchange of perspectives. Businesses benefit from reduced raw material costs, supply chain resilience, lower disposal expenses, and new revenue opportunities. Meanwhile local authorities and regions can profit from healthier ecosystems, economic vitality, and new job opportunities. These complementary goals drive economic resilience and systemic change towards sustained resource loops, higher recycling rates and enhanced regional sustainability.

To turn theory into practice, the EU-funded WaterProof project hosts the webinar “Industrial-Urban Symbiosis: Business, Funding, and Practical Insights”. Join on 24 March 2026 from 13:00 to 14:30 CET for targeted strategies and practical insights that will equip industry professionals and practitioners with proven I-US skills.

Register here!

The webinar will feature presentations from leading experts:

• Alena Jahns/Mara Wagner (IZES): Introduction to the WaterProof project and Industrial Urban Symbiosis.
• James Woodcock (International Synergies Limited & H4C ECoP): Business cases and funding for I-US
• Hannes Utikal (Provadis School, Process4Sustainability at Industrial Park Höchst, Frankfurt): Practical example: Industrial Symbiosis collaboration at Höchst Industrial Park.
• Eric Schuler (Avantium): Embedding CCU/the volta technology in the I-US context
  The WaterProof Project and I-US Integration

The EU-funded research project WaterProof implements I-US by developing a cutting-edge CO2 conversion technology . Powered by renewable energy, this unique electrochemical process converts CO₂ captured from wastewater treatment and waste incineration into formic acid. It hereby turns emissions into a sustainable carbon feedstock replacing fossil resources. The generated formic acid will be tested in applications like fish leather tanning and consumer cleaning products as well as the formulation of Formic-derived Acidic Deep Eutectic Solvents (ADES). The project’s synergies perfectly illustrate I-US potentials: Urban CO₂ emissions supply chemical industries. Peroxide by-products treat wastewater contaminated with pesticides, antibiotics, and pharmaceuticals. Formic-derived Acidic Deep Eutectic Solvents (ADES) extract precious metals from ash and sludge, creating closed loop circular systems.
For more information on the WaterProof project, visit https://waterproof-project.eu.

WaterProof is Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Health and Digital Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Register now

The BIORADAR project has developed a comprehensive set of tools and resources to help stakeholders assess, improve, and replicate sustainable bio-based solutions. Through the Replication Facility, you can now access these outcomes directly. By joining, you will be able to:

✔️ Access digital sustainability assessment tools
✔️ Learn with our MOOC about circular economy and bio-based systems
✔️ Discover curated best practices and innovative methodologies

Whether you are a policymaker, industry professional, researcher, or sustainability practitioner, the BIORADAR Replication Facility provides valuable resources to support your work.

How to enroll?
🔎 Visit www.dl4sd.org
👤 Create your user account
📚 Search for BIORADAR in the catalogue
✅ Click Enroll and start exploring!

EuBioNet is pleased to announce its official endorsement of the ISEKI-Food Conference 2026 (ISEKI-Food26), an international event dedicated to advancing the transition towards sustainable, resilient, and innovative food systems.

ISEKI-Food26 will place a strong focus on three interconnected pillars that are essential for shaping the future of food systems:

• Education and Training

• Research

• Responsible Food Production and Consumption

Together, these thematic areas reflect the need for integrated approaches that connect knowledge generation, skills development, and practical implementation across the entire food value chain. Further details on the thematic scope are available in the Conference Topics section on the event website.

The conference is addressed to scientists, professionals, and students from universities worldwide, as well as representatives from the food industry, with the explicit goal of strengthening links between academia, research, and industrial practice. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, ISEKI-Food26 aims to foster dialogue, stimulate innovation, and support the co-creation of solutions that respond to current and future sustainability challenges.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• Exchange new ideas and application experiences in a face-to-face international setting

• Present and discuss research results and innovative practices

• Establish business or research partnerships

• Identify global partners for future collaborations

Through this endorsement, EuBioNet recognises ISEKI-Food26 as a valuable platform for the bioeconomy and food systems community, contributing to knowledge exchange, capacity building, and cross-sectoral cooperation at European and international level.

More information about the conference, including deadlines for abstract submission and registration, is available on the official website!

The European Commission has officially adopted the new Strategic Framework for a Competitive and Sustainable EU Bioeconomy, setting a clear pathway to accelerate Europe’s transition toward a cleaner, more resilient and decarbonised circular economy.

Building on the 2012 Bioeconomy Strategy and its subsequent 2018 and 2022 reviews, the new Framework shifts the spotlight to industrial uptake, market expansion, competitiveness, and long-term resilience.

The updated Strategy builds on the EU’s strong scientific and industrial base to scale up bio-based innovations, reduce dependence on fossil resources, and unlock the full potential of Europe’s biological assets from land and sea. Today, the EU bioeconomy is already valued at €2.7 trillion (in 2023) and employs over 17 million people (around 8% of EU jobs), yet significant untapped potential remains.

Key priorities of the new Strategy include:

• Scaling up innovation and investment to bring bio-based technologies from labs to market, supported by clearer and faster regulatory pathways.

• Developing lead markets for bio-based materials and technologies such as bioplastics, sustainable textiles, advanced fermentation, bio-based chemicals, and construction materials. The Strategy proposes to set up a Bio-based Europe Alliance, which will be gathering EU companies to collectively purchase bio-based solutions worth €10 billion by 2030.

• Ensuring sustainable biomass use, and promoting circularity and enhancing the value of secondary biomass, with initiaves for farmers and foresters to safeguard soils, biodiversity, carbon sinks and water resources.

• Strengthening Europe’s global position, reducing strategic dependencies, and opening new market opportunities for sustainable bio-based solutions.

Read the full EU Bioeconomy Strategy here!