On 20-22 October 2021, the BalticBiomass4Value project held the Transnational Hybrid Conference “Unlocking the Potential of Bio-based Value Chains in the Baltic Sea Region”. The University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (Poland) hosted the event.

The conference focused on three themes:

  • Identifying and assessing market opportunities, biomass potential, technologies and business models for circular bioeconomy development.
  • Preparing guidelines for circular bioeconomy development support at local level and promoting them among public authorities.
  • Improving circular bioeconomy innovation support services and initiating pilot business projects.

Session 1: Identifying and assessing market opportunities, biomass potential, technologies and business models for circular bioeconomy development

The conference was opened by Prof. Dr. hab. Jerzy Jaroszewski, Vice-Rector for Research and Scientific Policy of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. Followed by a brief introduction of the BalticBiomass4Value project by its Project Coordinator, Virginija Kargyte (Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania).

Next, Erik Trømborg, NMBU – Norwegian University of Life Sciences presented the market outlook and future viability of different bioenergy products and value chains in the Baltic Sea Region energy systems. Mariusz Stolarski, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn outlined the biomass value chains in the Baltic Sea Region, whilst Ants-Hannes Viira, Estonian University of Life Sciences discussed good practice business models developed during the BalticBiomass4Value project.

Session 2: Preparing guidelines for circular bioeconomy development support at local level and promoting them among public authorities

In the second session, Malgorzata Zimniewska from the Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants in Poland, representing the BIOEAST Initiative and BIOEASTsUP project, discussed the development of sustainable bioeconomies in Central and Eastern Europe. Subsequently, Arnis Lenerts, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies presented good practice implementation guidelines for circular bioeconomy development and training programmes, developed as part of the BalticBiomass4Value project.

The poster session was the last session of the day, followed by two internal events: a training for knowledge and technology transfer service providers and the BalticBiomass4Value Consortium project meeting. In the evening, physically present participants were invited to enjoy the networking dinner.

Internal Training

As part of the conference, FNR organised an internal training aimed at knowledge and technology transfer service providers within the project partnership. During the training, the demo version of the BalticBiomass4Value interactive online portal was presented. Participants had the opportunity to gain insights into the interactive online portal and discuss the relevance of e-tools for knowledge and technology transfer. All the different functions of the interactive online portal were outlined and participants shared their experiences, as well as providing feedback on how the interactive online portal could be improved.

Session 3: Improving circular bioeconomy innovation support services and initiating pilot business projects.

The second day and third session was kicked-off by Henrik Barth’s (Halmstad University, Sweden) presentation on the relevance of the business model canvas for bio-based businesses. Then two features of the BalticBiomass4Value interactive online portal were presented. Ants-Hannes Viira, Estonian University of Life Sciences introduced the business planning tool, whilst Michał Krzyżaniak, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn presented specifics about the biological waste potential and bioenergy demand modelling calculators.

The presentations were followed by a panel discussion in which experiences from the BalticBiomass4Value business consultations-matchmaking activities were exchanged. Inga Matijosyte (Lithuanian Biotechnology Association), Riina Maruštšak (Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce) and Sascha Hermus (3N Kompetenzzentrum e.V.) shared their insights.

Finally, Paweł Stachowicz provided a presentation about Quercus sp. z o.o., the largest producer of biomass in Poland. The company was featured as a business case in the BalticBiomass4Value report on good practice business models. Physically present participants had the opportunity to visit the company in the afternoon.