Let’s talk about land -LANDSUPPORT goes live with the 4th episode of the live round table: Supporting the implementation of the pesticides and nitrates directives in Europe.

Speakers:

• Angelo Basine and Marialaura Bancheri (ISAFOM-CNR)
• Harald Loishandl-Weisz (EAA).

Moderator:

• Gloria De Paoli (ACTeon)

Follow the live here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_Y8PveznBChXSTpeYGrhYHgqAre6YKJH

ISEKI-Food 2021 ONLINE conference – abstract submission deadline extended to 25 April 2021!

The 6^th issue of the International ISEKI-Food Conference will focus on:

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN FOOD SYSTEMS:
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FUTURE

For all those who have already registered for the ISEKI-Food 2020 conference which should have been held in Cyprus, please note that your registration is still valid and transformed to the ONLINE conference (with new registration fees), but all abstracts submitted until February 2021 have been deleted and you are kindly asked to resubmit them.
Just enter your conference account, check and resubmit if necessary:
https://isekifood2020.meetinghand.com/en/account/login

For more information about conference topics, registration, abstract submission, awards and much more, please visit the conference website.

The Chairs of the Scientific & Organising Committee look forward to welcoming you at the ISEKI-Food 2021 ONLINE conference!

Paola Pittia, Cristina L.M. Silva & Florence Dubois-Brissonnet (chairs of the Scientific Committee)

Margarida Vieira & Dimitris Tsaltas (chairs of the Organising Committee)

Digital living labs and data platforms future of forestry ?

Transnational forest data hackathon, Forest Hack by Biobord, took place 13.04. – 14.04.2021 and gathered together 9 forest, technology and data management organizations from Finland, Sweden and Norway to co-create and network. The aim of the event was to establish joint initiatives (such as projects) and find new business potentials from the forest value chain. Event was part of the forest innovation pilot of Interreg BSR and EUSBSR -project ConnectedByBiobord (capacity for innovation).

Co-creation of experts

Forest Hack by Biobord was supported by sectoral agency Finnish Forest Centre that encouraged hackers for new data based solutions and use of new technologies within in the industry. What made this event different, was that most hackers were the experts of the industry and instead of coaching, event relied strongly to co-creation. Co-creation was supported with excellent keynotes from Jussi Lappalainen – Finnish Forest Centre and Sverker Danielsson – Mistra Digital Forest. Both keynotes painted the picture of current digitalization of the industry, as well as inspired for new innovations.

Accurate data and tracing quality as challenges

Two challenges were selected for hacking;

• Methods for more detailed and accurate data from forests AND
• Accurate data from forests and tracing quality for increased value creation

First challenge was solved in a transnational context between JAMK University of Applied Sciences (FI), TerraNor Kartanalyse (NO), Swedish Forest Agency (SWE), Glommen Mjøsen Skog (NO), PRO Civis (PL) and Luavia Ltd (FI). A digital forestry lab was seen as a potential solution for more detailed and accurate data from forest.

Second challenge was solved in a Swedish-Norwegian team, consisting of FeltGis Ltd. (NO), Fiskarhedens Trävaru Ltd (SWE), Tretorget Ltd (NO), PRO Civis (PL), Taigatech Ltd (SWE), Sør-Hedmark Næringshage (NO), Paper Province (SWE) and Kristiania University College (SWE). Their solution was a joint data platform for accurate data from forest and for better tracing quality for increased value creation.

Transnational co-operation as a result

Next step of the process is project planning between hackers. Several regional, national and transnational discussions and research are needed before funding can be applied but the most important step of finding joint understanding, has been established. Forest Hack by Biobord built a strong basis for the stakeholder co-operation and started, hopefully, a long joint journey towards more efficient and valuable forestry!

If you are interested, find us from Biobord!

The Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme’s project “Unlocking the Potential of Bio-based Value Chains in the Baltic Sea Region” (BalticBiomass4Value) is happy to invite you to the 2^nd International Scientific Conference “Sustainable Bioeconomy Development 2021: Adaptation to Climate Change”, which will be held online on 20-21 May 2021.

On the 20^th of May during the morning session, participants will have the opportunity to hear the keynote speakers from Italy, the Netherlands, and Germany.

Dr. Lucia Rocchi, an Italian scientist conducting research in the fields of economics, sustainability, biodiversity, ecosystem, and circular economy, will introduce the participants to the circular economy and SDGs, their connections for a more sustainable development model. Dr. Martin C. Th. Scholten, an advisor for science diplomacy to future food and nature policies from the Netherlands, will focus on climate-resilient food production in a sustainable bioeconomy and adaptive agricultural practices based on circular resource management. Dr. Gerald Schwarz, who has 15-year background in agri-environmental and rural policy analysis, will introduce the participants to the governance and sustainability implications of agroecological transitions. The presentations will be complemented with valuable discussion on sustainable bioeconomy development.

On the 21^st of May, the conference will begin with the panel discussion, which focuses on the potential scenarios of the development and market uptake of biofuels, biofertilizers, and bioplastics. Environmental, technological and economic factors will be discussed with the leading researchers and bio-based industry representatives from Lithuania, Estonia, Norway, and Sweden.

Perspectives of biofuels will be explored with Dr. Vincent Eijsink, Professor of the Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, and Ahto Oja, Member of the Board of “Balti Biometaan” that was founded with the aim to develop the production of biomethane as a motor fuel in Estonia and the Baltics. Adoption of innovative and sustainable bio-based solutions in agriculture will be discussed with Dr. Audrius Gegeckas, Head of R&D Department at Lithuanian company “Bioenergy LT” that provides innovative and sustainable high-biotech solutions improving crop productivity and maintaining soil biological activity, and Dr. Gustaf Forsberg, Senior Specialist of Swedish company “ThermoSeed Global” that offers innovative, highly efficient and environmentally friendly seed treatment technology. Meanwhile, Dr. Inga Matijošytė, Senior Researcher and Head of Applied Biocatalysis Sector at the Institute of Biotechnology of Vilnius University Life Sciences Centre, and Dr. Irena Vitkauskienė, Business Development Consultant at Lithuanian company “Plastiksė” that manufactures plastic packaging products for beverage, food, cosmetic, chemical and medical industries, will share their insights about the future of plastics.

As the transition towards more circular and bio-based economy requires new business models that change the way the enterprises conduct their business, the second part of the panel discussion will be dedicated to the discussion on good practice business models for sustainable bioeconomy development. Dr. Ants-Hannes Viira, Senior Researcher and Director of the Institute of Economics and Social Sciences at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, will present results of the recent study on such business models conducted by the BalticBiomass4Value project.

More information: https://sbd.vdu.lt

Registration: https://sbd.vdu.lt/for-participants/registrations/

Food Hack by Biobord – international on-line food innovation development workshop and competition – took place 11.03. – 12.03.2021, for two days gathering 6 experts and 13 companies from Sweden, Latvia, Finland, and Estonia to address several specific challenges and develop new products in the field of alternative proteins and functional foods by working in international teams.

Inspiring presentations from experienced experts

The event was filled with inspirational presentations from multiple experts. “Is food only food when you eat it?” by the eating designer Marije Vogelzang (NL) gave several innovative examples of how food can be seen from multiple, more irrational angles, making the experience of food consumption different for each one of us by changing the narrative of different products. Reetta Kivelä, Professor of Practice in University of Helsinki (FI), raised the question “Are we living in a protein boom?”. “Green, blue and red. Exploring alternative proteins and novel foods” was presented by Viktoria Olsson, Senior lecturer, Food & Meal Science at Kristianstad University (SE). Eila Järvenpää, Senior Scientist in Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) gave an insight on diversifying protein sources and their benefits on each of us and our planet. Mari Jaakkola, Project Manager at University of Oulu, Kajaani University Consortium, Unit of Measurement Technology (MITY) (FI), introduced several alternative ways of Lingonberry utilization, as well as fermentation, protein research and special sample treatment techniques. “Global market trends in organic functional proteins and ingredients” was presented by Erkki Pöytäniemi, CEO of Kurmakka Organic Food Ltd. (FI)

The hacking process and results

The teams had a rather difficult task – to solve the challenges and come up with new ideas in the field of alternative proteins and functional foods. Each group were given a possibility to receive a 30-minute consultation from the external experts/coaches, to better understand the right direction towards a solution which was then evaluated by a team of jury.

The challenge “Finding new and different strategies for marketing healthy and nutritious food” was solved by representatives from Aloja-Starkelsen (LV), the largest producer of potato starch in the Baltic states, as well as one of the largest producers of organic potato starch on a global scale; Felici (LV), developers of functional muesli, hot cereal and quick meal of high nutritional value, Ferla (EE), producer of fermented vegetable drink, The Kefir guy (FI), kefir producer and MTÜ Roheliselt Värske Elu (EE), promoters of organic production from small local farmers. The solution provided was based on the step-by-step changes by addressing the society on the benefits gained by plant-based diet.

To solve the challenge “Changing the perception of plant-based protein”, the second team, Suomen Hampputuotteet Oy (FI), investors in pure Finnish raw materials, Lipasu Oy/Härtelö (FI), producers of a new, sustainable base ingredient combined with beloved traditions, Aloja-Starkelsen and Felici, suggested showing the society how to easily cook tasty warm meals that replace animal-based meals and developing superior plant-based snacks by using urban advertising. “Changing the perception of plant-based proteins as an alternative to meat products is achieved through complex activities – the real product to offer, like Hemp-burger, brown pea chunks and fava bean ice cream as well as public education activities.”

The third team represented by GreenBite (EE), the first company in Estonia producing food from insects, BugBox (EE), producers of high-quality ecological and sustainable protein powder in large quantities as alternative to existing animal protein, and Tebrito (SE), sustainable and innovative insect product producers, worked on the challenge “Transforming the attitude towards new products including protein from insects and food”. The innovation of this group consisted of making a fun educational program “WISH to taste a bug?!” which would create interest to taking the first bite resulting in the insects as a regular and normal food.

The challenge “Exploration of new protein resources” gathered companies Lupinta (SE), producers of lupin-based products, MILZU! (LV), producer of a healthy cereal, which turns rye into a special meal, Fagraslätt (SE), organic food producers, Aloja-Starkelsen and Felici. The main factors in making their innovation were the challenges of increasing food waste, and fast-moving lifestyle which motivated the team in making an actual product prototype – plant based vegan pancake DIY, mix, consisting of beer leftovers, brown pea and fava bean protein called “Morning Heaven Magic Mix”. The benefits of this product would be convenient use and production, richness of organic plant-based protein and use of beer processing side-stream ingredients which decreases food waste and develops a more sustainable environment. The first actual product prototype was already developed during the hackathon.

When evaluating each team’s work, several jury criteria regarding the solution vs challenge, process, market potential, level of innovation and sustainability were taken into consideration. “We selected the winner based on the excellent and practical team-work and the process of utilizing all of the groups’ knowledge and local side-streams,” said the jury member when announcing the winner – group number four – developers of Morning Heaven Magic Mix product concept!

What happens next?

The follow-up workshop of the hackathon will take place on the 28th of April 2021 when Lupinta, MILZU!, Fagraslätt, Aloja-Starkelsen and Felici will have a chance to meet more experts and receive consultations to take their product innovation even further. Not only that, but the open part of the workshop will also include new key notes and great international networking possibilities. Follow us in Facebook for further updates: @BiobordPlatform