Microbial Technologies Week

– 7–11 November 2022

The Microbial Technologies Week held from 7–11 November at the Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI) in Ljubljana, Slovenia, was a resounding success, bringing together over 100 participants from across Europe who are passionate about microbiology, bioremediation, and environmental innovation!

Organised by EXELISIS, UBU, and JSI, partners of the SURFBIO and GREENER projects, this 5-day event served as a vibrant hub for knowledge exchange and collaboration among policy makers, academic researchers, industry experts, students, and young scientists. The overarching aim was to foster cross-sectoral dialogue, present groundbreaking research in microbial technologies, and explore new pathways for impactful EU collaboration.

Throughout the week, the agenda was packed with engaging and forward-looking activities:

• Consortium meetings for both SURFBIO and GREENER, strengthening internal collaboration and reviewing project milestones.
• A highly engaging industry workshop, where European companies showcased their innovative approaches and discussed future applications of microbial solutions in real-world contexts.
• A hands-on lab training, led by international professors, that allowed attendees to explore state-of-the-art techniques in microbiology and bioremediation, further bridging the gap between theory and practice.

By the end of the week, the event had not only strengthened connections between EU-funded projects and their stakeholders, but also laid the groundwork for new initiatives in microbial surface technologies, environmental biotechnology, and sustainable applications.

Satellite event at the Bioremid 2023 conference

28 June 2024, Muttenz, Switzerland 

The GREENER 2023 Conference, was organised by EXELISIS as the Dissemination Manager of the GREENER Project H2020. The event focused on Effective Environmental Bioremediation contributing to healthier soils, cleaner groundwater, and improved air quality. Unlike conventional remediation technologies, bioremediation offers an environmentally friendly method to remove contaminants from the environment. It leverages natural processes and utilizes microorganisms (such as bacteria, fungi, and algae) to remediate the environment without harming delicate ecosystems. As a clean, cost-effective, and green strategy, bioremediation is crucial in achieving Europe’s zero pollution goals. 

The event was held as a satellite session of BioRemid 2023 conference, on 28th June 2023, and brought together the GREENER project and six other EU-funded endeavors — BIOSYSMO, NYMPHE, MIBIREM, EiCLAR, SYMBIOREM, and ELECTRA.  

The conference provided a comprehensive overview of the GREENER project, highlighting its main results and achievements. It showcased the integration of several innovative approaches, such as bio-electrochemical hybrid systems, including soil microbial fuel cells, bioaugmentation, and biostimulation. Additionally, the conference covered bio-electrochemical systems combined with phytoremediation techniques. A significant focus was on long-term ecopiles, emphasizing collaboration between the EU and China. The selection of GREENER soil and water technologies for scaling-up was also discussed, demonstrating the project’s commitment to advancing sustainable environmental solutions. 

A workshop from the EU bioremediation cluster followed the GREENER conference and included brief presentations from cluster project coordinators. The newly launched Horizon Europe projects will outline their planned bioremediation innovations, while the Horizon 2020 projects will share key outcomes of their initiatives. The workshop concluded with a technical discussion on the role of bioremediation in restoring Europe’s environment and supporting its zero-pollution ambitions. 

With over 100 participants, the event facilitated the exchange of insights on bioremediation techniques, highlighting our dedication to fostering environmental progress.  

Check out the AGENDA of this event! 

Polymers 2024

– Polymers for a Safe and Sustainable Future

The Polymers 2024 Conference, co-organised by EXELISIS, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), and MDPI, took place from May 28-31 2024, at the War Museum of Athens, brought together leading experts, researchers, and industry professionals in polymer science.

EXELISIS actively contributed throughout the event, while also engaging attendees at its booth. The conference featured insightful presentations, dynamic poster sessions, and networking opportunities, including a vibrant cocktail reception with traditional Greek dances.

The highlight of the final day was the Greek Stakeholder Engagement Workshop, organised by EXELISIS, AUTH, and RDC Informatics, emphasising knowledge transfer and innovation.

With over 300 participants, Polymers 2024 fostered valuable discussions, collaborations, and industry advancements.

FLAMINGo Final Conference at eMove 360°

– 15 October 2024, Munich, Germany

EXELISIS was a proud member of the organisational team of the FLAMINGo Final Conference held in parallel with the eMove 360° Conference and Exhibition, that took place in Munich (15 October 2024). This event brought together leading experts and innovators in the field of lightweight materials, with a special focus on groundbreaking advancements in Lightweight Aluminium Metal Matrix Nano Composites (Al MMnC) for electric vehicles’ components.

Event Highlights

The discussion encompassed a diverse array of topics, beginning with the pivotal role of nanoparticles in Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites (Al MMC). These nanoparticles, such as silicon carbide (SiC) and aluminum oxide (Al2O3), significantly enhance the mechanical properties of Al MMCs. The manufacturing process of extruded Al-MMnC was examined, highlighting the precision and complexity achievable through extrusion techniques, while the advanced design and manufacturing techniques for cast Al-MMnC that were used under FLAMINGo were also presented.

Real-world validation cases by ALKE showcased practical applications of these advanced materials in automotive parts, demonstrating their effectiveness and potential for widespread adoption. Circularity approaches within the FLAMINGo Project were emphasized, underscoring the importance of sustainability through lifecycle assessments and circular economy principles aimed at minimizing environmental impact and enhancing resource efficiency. The achievements and impacts of FLAMINGo on sustainable mobility were reviewed, highlighting the development of lightweight, high-performance materials for green vehicles and their contribution to advancing sustainable transportation. Outreach success stories illustrated effective communication and engagement strategies that have promoted the project’s goals and achievements. Finally, innovation opportunities and future directions were explored, including advancements in artificial intelligence, new manufacturing techniques, and the potential for further enhancing the properties and applications of Al MMCs.

We were also honored to host invited speakers from several related EU-funded projects, including COLLABAT, MULTHEM, Flexcrash, ENLIGHT EVs, ZEvRA, ALMA, REVOLUTION, Fatigue4Light, LEVIS, and MIMOSA. These projects further showcased innovation across various aspects of sustainability, mobility, and advanced materials. This conference was a testament to the collaborative spirit and innovative drive within the lightweight materials community.

Satellite event organisation at BIOKET 2025

– 11-13 March 2025, Brussels, Belgium

The final event of the SECRETed project marked a significant milestone in Brussels, Belgium, where it was held in conjunction with the BIOKET 2025 Conference & Exhibition from March 11–13, 2025. Known for spotlighting innovation in the bioeconomy, BIOKET drew an impressive crowd, with 619 participants, 58 sponsors and exhibitors, 16 start-ups, 20 pitch sessions, and a remarkable 1,290 B2B meetings, underlining its status as a major event in the sector.

EXELISIS, as dissemination manager of the SECRETed project, organised a satellite event titled: “Unlocking the Potential of Marine Biotechnology for Bioactive Compounds Production”. SECRETed project was a Gold Sponsor of the event, leveraging the opportunity to connect with a broad network of stakeholders.

Key Highlights at BIOKET 2025

SECRETed’s strong presence was marked by a series of strategic engagement activities, orchestrated by EXELISIS:

• Exhibition Booth: The project’s booth drew considerable interest, facilitating in-depth discussions about its results and prospects for future partnerships.
• Conference Bag Materials: Every BIOKET attendee received a branded folder, flyer, pen, and program from SECRETed — a simple but effective tool for boosting project visibility.
• Poster Session: Two insightful posters from consortium members showcased the project’s technical advancements and sustainability outcomes.

We are pleased to announce the international conference SPE 2025 – Sustainable Printed Electronics: Sustainability and Challenges that will be held on the premises of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, at the  KEDEA Building, from September 23^rd to 25^th, 2025. This event is organised by EXELISIS and supported by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), the Danish Technological Institute (DTI) and AXIA Innovation, who are partners of the SaP EU project.

Printed electronics (PE) are becoming increasingly prevalent in various aspects of our daily lives, including flexible displays, energy harvesting devices, wearable sensors, smart labels, consumer electronics, and home appliances. Considering that less than 40% of electronic waste is currently recycled in the EU, it is necessary to develop the next generation of PE that are reusable, recyclable, and manufactured from biobased and/or biodegradable materials. SPE2025 will focus on the latest cutting-edge advancements in PE and their applications, with an emphasis on sustainability across their entire life cycle.

We are excited to explore novel, greener manufacturing techniques for large-scale and high-speed mass production of low-cost PE, and highlight breakthroughs in the employment of advanced materials (nanoparticles, carbon dots, conductive nanocomposites, biobased and biodegradable polymeric substrates) that enable reuse or high-quality recycling, thereby promoting sustainability.

We welcome presentations on high-performance ink formulations containing biobased components, including adhesives and solvents, that facilitate the extraction and reuse or recycling of precious metals. Primary, mechanical, and chemical recycling methods, including on-demand de-bonding, will also be discussed. We will demonstrate innovative applications of printed, flexible, and stretchable devices. Finally, we will address the integration of Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) methodologies and circular economy principles in PE.

We look forward to welcoming you to Thessaloniki!

 Prof. Dimitrios Bikiaris, Dr. Zachary J. Davis and Dr. Ioanna Deligkiozi
Sustainable Printed Electronics 2025 Chairs

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