On May 22-23, 2024, the picturesque city of Grenoble, France, played host to Bio-LUSH General Assembly Meeting. Convened at the FCBA within the Centre Technique du Papier on the University Campus of Grenoble, this gathering united Bio-LUSH partners, Advisory Board Members and industry representatives. The assembly provided a platform for the review of the project’s advancements and the strategic planning for future tasks.
Meeting Venue: FCBA, Centre Technique du Papier
The meeting took place at the esteemed Centre Technique du Papier, located at 341 Rue de la Papeterie, 38400 Saint-Martin-d’Hères, Grenoble, France. This venue, nestled within the University Campus of Grenoble, provided a conducive environment for collaborative discussions and innovative thinking.
Agenda Overview
Activity Updates on Work Packages (WPs)
Participants received detailed updates on the various work packages (WPs), including:
- Ongoing research activities
- New results and findings
- Publications and patent considerations
- Sharing of materials and data
Break-Out Sessions for Work Package Planning
To facilitate in-depth discussions and planning, participants split into three groups for break-out sessions:
Group 1: Source characterization, fractionation, and supply of fibers to other WPs, along with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) data supply.
Group 2: Standard development, formulation development, data mining, machine learning, and connecting fiber sources to applications.
Group 3: Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) management.
Activity Plan for the Next 12 Months
Each work package presented its activity plan for the upcoming 12 months, outlining key milestones and objectives to ensure continued progress and innovation.
Future Plans and Key Research Areas
Several new publications and tasks were discussed, including:
- Modification of Lignin Extensibility: Research on modifying lignin extensibility and identifying the mechanisms that regulate lignin structure.
- Hazardous Chemicals Identification: A thorough literature review and in-vitro tests to identify potential hazardous chemicals in feedstocks, auxiliary chemicals, and final products.
- Characterization of Fiber-Based Products: Detailed characterization of fiber-based products, considering the requirements and specifications set by industrial partners.
- Delignification Improvement: Adjustments in cooking processes to enhance delignification efficiency.
Engaging the Community: Biofiber and Bioeconomy Podcasts and Webinars
Starting in September, a series of podcasts and webinars focused on biofiber and bioeconomy topics will be launched. These sessions aim to disseminate knowledge, share insights, and foster a community of innovation and collaboration.
Conclusion
The fruitful discussions and innovative ideas that emerged from this gathering set the stage for continued advancements in biofiber technologies.
