Author: Angela Bywater

Eco-Bio 2016 – Beurs World Trade Centre, Rotterdam – 6-9 Mar 16

There are a wide variety of topic areas, including those from industrial and environmental biotechnology, as well as sustainability and research in the bio-based economy.

With fossil fuels becoming more and more limited and global change having unmistakable effects on our everyday lives, working toward a suitable future for both humans and all ecosystems of the world becomes essential.

Biobased Economy focuses on developing industrial viable, safe and ecologically friendly biobased (renewable biological sources) solutions to build a sustainable society, involving food, chemicals, energy and materials.

Complementing these technological developments are insights and discussions on societal, economic and environmental relevant and interdisciplinary topics such as ‘Cradle-to-cradle’, ‘green or circular economies’, ‘climate change mitigation’, ‘energy and food security’, ‘resource efficiency’, ‘sustainability in general’ and ‘resource, food and product safety’.

This conference is the first of its kind and promises to be interesting and informative.

Abstract submission closes on 23 Oct 15 and further information can be found at: http://www.ecobioconference.com/

Industrial Applications of Metal-Microbe Interactions – 26-27 Nov 15 – University of Durham

This SGM focused meeting will bring together academics and industrialists to build collaborations in the areas of: biomining; biorecovery and bioprocessing; bioremediation; and biofabrication of higher value products.
Registration If you would like to attend this event contact: conferences@sgm.ac.uk

 

Characterising and Utilising Rhodococcus Workshop – York – 2 Nov 15

Discussion topics include challenges in delivering Rhodococcus biocatalysts to industry; metal‐dependent oxygenases; new enzyme discovery/substrate re‐tuning; molecular biology toolkit for working in Rhodococcus; the academia–industry interface (presentation by the CPI). Attendance at this collaboration-building meeting will allow you to engage with an innovative community, interact with key opinion leaders and enable you to work on & gain help with industry‐relevant scientific challenges. Further information is on the Rhodococcus flyer

Registration If you would like to attend this event, contact Charlotte Harrison ASAP, as there are a  limited number of places: C.Harrison-560@kent.ac.uk

European Biogas Association Conference, 27-29 Sep 16, Gent

The third Conference of the European Biogas Association will take place September 27-29, 2016 in Gent, Belgium and will cover a broad range of topics related to biogas and biomethane from anaerobic digestion and gasification. Venue and programme details will be announced in the coming months. The 2016 edition is organized in close collaboration with Ghent University. More information can be found on their website.

Another BBSRC BIV Completed – Food Waste Net

Fiberight and Southampton have just completed a BIV project on ‘Recovery of food waste from municipal solid waste (MSW)’ during pulping, with funding from the BBSRC FoodWasteNet NIBB (www.foodwastenet.org). The aims of the work were to test an alternative separation technology for Fiberight’s innovative MSW-based sugar platform process, and determine how much food waste can be recovered from different stages. The sidestreams can then be tested for their potential to produce energy and higher-value products. The process is thus a key part of a waste-based biorefinery.

24th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition – Amsterdam, 6-9 Jun 16

The European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (EUBCE) is a world class annual event which has been held at different venues throughout Europe since 1980.

It is Europe’s largest international conference focused on biomass combining a highly-respected international scientific conference with an industrial exhibition and gathers participants from research, industry, policy and business of biomass.

With the growth of anaerobic digestion, there is ample opportunity to showcase research. Abstract submission closes 30 October 15 and further information can be found here.

Permastore Tanks and University of Southampton complete first BIV

The Environmental Labs at the University of Southampton have just completed our first Business Interaction Voucher (BIV) project in conjunction with Permastore Ltd. The work involved development of a test procedure for materials to be used in advanced anaerobic digestion applications, including at thermophilic temperatures and in harsh conditions where the process may become unstable or fail. Testing was based on continuous simulation in 35-litre anaerobic digesters, and has provided comprehensive data that would not be available from simple batch tests. An innovative side-stream ammonia stripping system was used to control digestion parameters and provide a wide range of reactor conditions. This BIV was funded by BBSRC through the Anaerobic Digestion Network.

Information on all the work done in the Environmental Labs can be found on their Facebook page.

You too can benefit from such funding for academic help: see www.anaerobicdigestionnet.com/funding for more information.

IWA 14th World Congress on Anaerobic Digestion 15-18 Nov 15 – still time to register

There is still time to register for one of the major conferences in the AD calendar, with a wide range of seminars, workshops and training opportunities. There are 9 primary topics in the programme, namely: Continue reading “IWA 14th World Congress on Anaerobic Digestion 15-18 Nov 15 – still time to register”

UK to New Zealand mission on Agricultural and Bio-technologies – Sep 15

The mission is planned to coincide with the NZBIO, New Zealand’s annual biotechnology conference (September 23 and 24) in Wellington, New Zealand, and UK mission participants are encouraged to register and attend the event. Conference registration is available via the NZBIO website (http://events.nzbio.org.nz/courses/46-nzbio-annual-conference-2015).  An early bird rate is generally available to 31 July. Continue reading “UK to New Zealand mission on Agricultural and Bio-technologies – Sep 15”