The Circular Economy Summit convened on May 28, 2024, at the eco-friendly Expedithalle in Vienna. This event brought together the circular economy community, featuring 33 high-profile speakers and attracting over 350 participants from business, politics, administration, and civil society across 10 different countries. Impeccably organized by the Circular Economy Forum Austria, the summit featured lively debates, engaging discussions, and a practical demonstration of the circular economy through an expo room showcasing various stakeholders.

Hosted by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation, and Technology, the summit highlighted the importance of circular economy practices in Austrian society. The event was inaugurated by the Minister for Climate Action herself, who discussed concrete measures and actions to promote a circular economy. This gathering not only showcased innovative ideas but also emphasized the crucial role of sustainability in shaping our future.

MIBIREM and Circularity in Bioremediation

Circular economy principles are also central to our project. As an Austrian-led initiative, MIBIREM was among participants at the Circular Economy Summit represented by the Austrian project and communication coordinator, RTDS Group. Specializing in developing a microbiome-based toolbox for the soil remediation of contaminated sites, we are confident about the potential of our MIBIREM toolbox that aims to improve the business case for microbiome-based bioremediation.

MIBIREM seeks not only to start microbiome-based bioremediation but also to encourage the broader use of microbiomes in biotechnology, supporting the circular economy. By adapting our TOOLBOX for various applications, MIBIREM could enhance the use of microbiomes in biotechnology. Aligned with the European Green Deal, our project adheres to the Circular Economy Action Plan. We are facilitating a paradigm shift from single strains to microbiomes, which hold immense potential as natural, renewable resources in biotechnology.

Data is Key: Insights from the Circular Economy Summit 2024

Thanks to the vibrant circular community in Austria and the engaging Circular Economy Summit, our project gained meaningful insights into circular activities and stayed up-to-date with the latest trends in the circular economy. The event featured four insightful panels discussing EU policies, the role of data and finances, and the art of cross-border collaboration.

One of the highlights was the panel titled “Data is Key,” which included Agnieszka Sznyk from INNOWO, our bioremediation cluster partner in the Nymphe project. The panel underscored the often-overlooked importance of data in measuring the state of circularity. As Ms. Sznyk emphasized, data management is essential for circularity. To achieve or measure circularity, one must start with data—be it materials, energy, resources, waste products or something else.  There is already a vast amount of data available, and the challenge lies in using and structuring it effectively.

Measuring the impact of circular activities, particularly in terms of refuse, rethink, and reduce, remains challenging. However, the discussions reaffirmed the value of all circular activities in driving the systemic change necessary for a circular economy in Austria, Europe, and globally. We left the summit reassured that these efforts are crucial for advancing a sustainable future.

 

Author: Ana Babić,

RTDS Communication and Project Manager

The initial phase of the MIBIREM project has recently concluded, following the completion of a sampling campaign at contaminated sites across Europe. This phase involved the search for microbiomes capable of degrading organic contaminants. The MIBIREM consortium gathered samples from soil, groundwater, and bac-traps at 13 different contaminated sites in 7 European countries.

The focus was on sites contaminated with cyanides (primarily from former gasworks), petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs), and lindane (also known as HCH or γ-hexachlorocyclohexane) and its isomers. The samples were analyzed for physical-chemical properties and community composition based on 16S rDNA.

Three different contaminants

Petroleum Hydrocarbons (PHCs) are among the most common contaminants in soil and groundwater in Europe and worldwide. Finding effective microbiomes and gaining a better understanding of the environmental conditions for microbial degradation can help address environmental contamination in many locations.

Although lindane is no longer produced in Europe, localized contamination remains at production and storage sites, requiring remediation due to its high toxicity. Cyanides, previously overlooked in favor of seemingly more critical contaminants, have become a significant problem at many former gasworks across Europe.

Initial microcosm tests with samples from these sites yielded promising results, suggesting that microbiomes with high potential for degrading these contaminants are present.

 

Author: Thomas Reichenauer,

Scientific Co-ordinator, AIT

Healthy ecosystems are vital for biomass, food supply, diverse nature, water management, and human well-being. The EU and Flanders target healthy soils and water bodies, while the Air Policy Plan 2030 aims to cut air pollution’s health impact by 2030. Despite agricultural climate efforts, more research is needed, and rules are enforced for environmental impact reduction.

In this respect, our project partner Sofie Thijs, co-developed the NGSxpress DNA platform together with Interscience, Illumina, Oxford Nanopore, and Filterservice.

The DNA robot

What is this flexible, innovative NGSxpress platform, and what is its purpose?

● It is an automated robot and a long-read sequencer to further develop and expand various new and existing DNA analyses and applications;

● It addresses existing technical bottlenecks in DNA analyses: increasing efficiency, high throughput, accuracy, quality control, and customization;

● It allows for expanding services to Flemish (and international) companies and improving knowledge dissemination. It is a critical success factor for enabling a circular economy and mitigating the effects of climate change.

● With this purchase and installation, VLAIO/EFRO strengthens Flemish DNA expertise with applications in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, soil biodiversity, and soil remediation.

This project is made possible thanks to the support from Europe (EFRO), VLAIO, University of Hasselt-the Centre for Environmental Sciences (CMK), Witteveen+Bos Belgium NV, and Vereecken Farms. Read more here.

Microbiome analysis, cultivation and evolution in the MIBIREM project

Sofie Thijs is a postdoc at Hasselt University, specializing in bioremediation, identification of bioactive compounds, and biotechnological applications. In the MIBIREM project, the Centre for Environmental Sciences (CMK) at Hasselt University is responsible for the microbiome analyses, cultivation, and evolution. In particular, it will use next-generation sequencing to identify bacteria with pollutant-degrading properties, trap and identify active pollutant-degrading bacteria, apply new approaches in cultivation, and improve selected microbial consortia by natural evolution. Lastly, CMK will monitor the microbiomes, bioaugmented strains, and consortia during field pilot tests.

 

Author: Sofie Thijs

Postdoc at Hasselt University

The European Mission Soil Week Conference, organized by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI), under the Horizon Europe Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ (Mission Soil), unfolded from November 21 to 23, 2023. Hosted by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC-INIA) in Madrid during the Spanish Presidency of the EU Council, the event saw the participation of the MIBIREM project, represented by RTDS. MIBIREM focuses on developing biotechnology for soil decontamination using bacteria and was among several soil health projects present at the conference.

The idea behind European Mission Soil Week is to raise awareness about the critical importance of soil health and translate this awareness into actionable measures for soil protection and restoration. The event served as a valuable platform to communicate innovative solutions based on the latest research findings for the promotion of healthy soils. A significant number of participants, both on-site in Madrid and online, represented various stakeholders, including the research community (most numerous), policy makers, farmers, landowners, and industry, with local communities and projects outside the scope of the Soil Health Mission initiative also in attendance.

Caring for soil is caring for life

“Caring for soil is caring for life” was a resonating theme throughout the conference. Soil health is a top priority on the EU political agenda – and for good reason. Soil is crucial in supporting human health, providing the basis for food, and sustaining vital ecosystems. Furthermore, healthy soils play a pivotal role in carbon capture, contributing to climate stability and neutrality. Astonishingly enough, approximately 60% of European soil is considered unhealthy, with 2.8 million sites potentially contaminated.

To address these challenges, various European projects, including PrepSoil, InBestSoil, Loess, ISLANDR, Solo, Edaphos, Biosysmo and MIBIREM were brought together to mobilize communities working on diverse aspects related to soil health. Additionally, numerous projects were showcased, sharing experiences, lessons learned and the knowledge gained from research in tackling soil-related issues.

The conference underscored the inseparable connection between healthy soils, food security, and climate. The significance of soil carbon to soil health was highlighted, leading to the inauguration of the international research consortium on soil carbon (IRC).

Speaking simple is a key starting point

Beyond scientific challenges, the conference identified common issues faced by many projects and communities engaged in soil health. Both simplifying language to make it accessible to all stakeholders and bridging the gap between scientific and policy language were emphasized.

Involving local communities more actively and communicating with a wide range of stakeholders were deemed similarly crucial. A bottom-to-top communication approach and a holistic view of the subject were identified as necessary. The importance of engaging citizens in the subject of soil health and involving a broad spectrum of stakeholders was also emphasized as vital for effectively utilizing scientific knowledge.

Knowledge and data sharing on spot

The knowledge gained from research and data sharing were highlighted as essential aspects that need to be properly facilitated. An example of this was the InBestSoil platform initiative, where over 50 participants spontaneously gathered at the venue outskirts to discuss future steps in regular meetings and engagement on data and knowledge-sharing regarding soil health. Stakeholder mapping and engagement, creating synergies in terms of information sharing and joint events were some of the topics discussed.

Another relevant topic highlighted for MIBIREM at the conference was soil assessment and mapping. In the MIBIREM project, soil sampling is conducted within the framework of microbiome-based bioremediation. The conference emphasized the interconnected nature of soil systems, with the suggestion that a simple set of indicators should serve as a starting point. This idea was communicated by the Benchmark project, which focuses on co-creating a Soil Health Monitoring Framework. Moreover, the EU Soil Observatory (EUSO) was thoroughly presented as one of the instruments providing a comprehensive approach to European soil assessment and mapping. The conference also emphasized the need for increased data sharing and harmonization in the context of soil assessment.

What is soil to me

The eventful three days of Soil Mission Week concluded with a ceremony in the grand Spanish royal-style conference hall, featuring a photo competition award. Individuals working on soil-related subjects showcased what soil means to them by visually capturing the beauty of nature, or indeed its vulnerability to factors such as drought, degradation or contamination. This moving conclusion brought the science, funding and policies to a human and personal level, reflecting the intrinsic connection that starts off the entire journey.

 

Author: Ana Babic

RTDS Group

MIBIREM Communication Manager