As part of the Business Track, Ivona Miketa, Co-founder and General Manager of Bio-Mi, delivered a presentation entitled “The Materials Revolution: Biopolymers and New Technologies for a Sustainable Future.”

The presentation focused on the potential of biopolymers and innovative materials to promote more sustainable production and reduce environmental impact. Through practical examples, it highlighted opportunities for applying new technologies and materials to address current sustainability challenges. The event also provided a unique opportunity to further showcase Bio-Mi’s work and its contribution to the development of innovative bio-based and biodegradable materials, as well as the importance of bringing together technological innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.

For more information, visit the official Unlock Rijeka 2026 website: https://www.unlock-rijeka.com/

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The conference brought together representatives from industry, research organizations, higher education institutions, and the public sector to explore the opportunities offered by Horizon Europe and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) for fostering innovation, strengthening competitiveness, and building international partnerships.

During her presentation, Ivona highlighted BIO-MI’s activities and emphasized the importance of engaging businesses in European research and innovation programmes. Special attention was given to collaboration between industry, academia, and the innovation ecosystem as a key driver of sustainable growth, technological advancement, and the development of market-oriented solutions. The presentation also placed a strong emphasis on European projects in which BIO-MI is actively involved as a project partner, including GRECO, BioMPAS, UpCycle, and BioPackMan. Our projects showcase BIO-MI’s commitment to driving innovation, sustainability, and circular bioeconomy solutions through international collaboration.

The event provided an excellent platform for knowledge exchange, networking with key stakeholders, and learning about current funding opportunities and support mechanisms available through Horizon Europe and the EIT community.

The official report of the conference is available at the following link: https://www.obzoreuropa.hr/novosti-pregled/odrzana-konferencija-eit-i-industrija-u-programu-obzor-europa and Ivona’s presentation is available from 2:24:00 of the conference recording: https://www.youtube.com/live/dx9M8S-lJbo

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During the interactive session, students were introduced to the principles of the circular economy, the potential of bioplastics, and the opportunities and challenges associated with the green transition. Through real-world business examples, the lecture demonstrated how innovative solutions are developed and implemented in practice, bridging theoretical concepts with the needs of modern industry.

Particular emphasis was placed on the development of advanced bioplastic materials, from research and laboratory testing to commercialization and industrial application. Students gained insight into the process of creating innovative biopolymer formulations and the role of European research and innovation programmes in accelerating the transition towards a more sustainable economy.

The presentation also showcased examples of international projects focused on sustainable solutions for packaging, agriculture, the food industry, and waste management. These case studies illustrated how scientific research and technological innovation can be transformed into tangible products and market-ready solutions that support the circular economy.

The event highlighted the importance of collaboration between academia and industry in educating future professionals and sustainability leaders, emphasizing the vital role of innovation, knowledge, and technology in building a more sustainable future.

BIO-MI is a regional leader and the first producer of certified compostable thermoplastics in Southeast Europe. As a research and development company and a full member of the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC), BIO-MI continuously develops innovative solutions aimed at replacing fossil-based materials with bio-based alternatives. With a portfolio of 23 European research and innovation projects, the company actively contributes to the advancement of the European bioeconomy and the competitiveness of sustainable materials on the international market.

For more information, please visit the official site https://www.veleri.hr/hr/vijesti/odrzivost-kroz-inovacije-regionalni-lider-bio-mi-odrzao-predavanje-na-veleucilistu-u-rijeci

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Participants agreed that bioplastics still occupy a small share of the packaging market (1–2%), despite growing interest and political initiatives. Most speakers emphasized that a true market shift requires the introduction of quotas for bio-based materials, clear regulatory guidelines, and incentives to create conditions in which innovative solutions can compete with fossil-based plastics.

In this context, Bio-Mi was presented as an example of a company developing advanced materials despite market challenges. Filip Miketa highlighted that the company has spent a decade developing certified bio-based and compostable thermoplastic materials, using a wide range of natural raw materials, from agricultural residues to by-products of the food industry.

It was particularly emphasized that Bio-Mi stands out for developing “intelligent materials from unusual sources,” while the key challenge remains scaling up. As Filip Miketa stated: “With small quantities in the laboratory you can carry out basic tests, but only when you get hundreds of kilograms can you check all the parameters needed for industry: operational stability, processability, safety and performance.”

Participants also addressed economic realities: bioplastics still face the challenge of fossil-based materials, which are often twice as cheap. This is why investment in research and development and participation in international consortia is crucial.

Miketa stressed that collaboration through European projects is of key importance:
“Working in large consortia allows us to learn from one another and jointly develop solutions that can also take hold on the market. This is the only way to accelerate the transition from the laboratory to industrial production.”

Bioplastics can become standard in the packaging industry, but only through a combination of innovation, regulatory measures, and close cooperation between industrial and research partners. Bio-Mi, as the only company from southeastern Europe, confirms that top-level innovation can be created even outside the largest European centers.

The original article is available at the following link: https://www.agro-chemistry.com/articles/the-future-of-bioplastics-in-packaging/

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UPCYCLE officially started on the 1st of September 2025 and brings together 19 partners from 12 countries, coordinated by Aalborg University (AAU), Denmark.

Addressing an Urgent Challenge

With more than 460 million tonnes of plastics produced annually worldwide, only 9% is effectively recycled, while plastic packaging accounts for 40% of demand and 60% of plastic waste in Europe. Most packaging is used once, with two-thirds discarded within a year, often relying on complex or contaminated plastic streams that persist in the environment for centuries.

UPCYCLE aims to tackle these challenges head-on by developing novel circular value chains that convert today’s non-recyclable plastic waste into highly recyclable and non-persistent packaging materials. By doing so, the project will reduce reliance on incineration and landfill, support EU circular economy goals, and create a credible pathway toward non-persistent, safe, and sustainable plastics.

Building on Success and Scaling Innovation

UPCYCLE builds on the promising results of the H2020 UPLIFT project and moves beyond small pilot-scale research to reach TRL7 demonstration. The project will scale a plastic biorefinery concept combining:

• A Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) framework,
• AI-powered process intensification and digital twins,
• Smart polymerisation and formulation strategies using renewable additives,
• And eco-design approaches that ensure materials can be safely recycled or designed to degrade under controlled conditions if leakage occurs.

Target applications include fresh food flexible packaging, short-lifetime deli packaging, beverage bottles, and personal care packaging—all sectors where recyclability and end-of-life performance are critical.

Kick-Off Meeting Highlights

The two-day meeting in Gent featured presentations from all Work Package leaders, a European Commission briefing, and the first General Assembly of the consortium.

Key sessions included:

• Advances in scalable depolymerisation and fermentation of plastic waste,
• Eco-design and formulation of recyclable and non-persistent polymers,
• SSbD, biodegradability and compostability assessments,
• Strategies for dissemination, communication, and exploitation,
• And site visits and pilot demonstrations at BBEPP facilities.

A dedicated Advisory Board session also allowed external experts to provide guidance on the project’s direction and ensure strong links with industry, regulation, and policy frameworks.

Impact and Outlook

By 2029, UPCYCLE will deliver demonstrated packaging materials at TRL7 that are:

• Highly recyclable through mechanical and chemo-enzymatic recycling,
• Non-persistent, avoiding long-term environmental pollution,
• More biodegradable where appropriate, ensuring safe degradation in controlled settings,
• And designed to meet market and regulatory requirements while reducing GHG emissions by 30% compared to current bioplastics.

Through these innovations, UPCYCLE aims to provide trustworthy, scalable, and sustainable alternatives for Europe’s packaging industry, supporting EU strategies on plastics, the Single-Use Plastics Directive, and the Circular Economy Action Plan.

A Strong and Multidisciplinary Consortium

UPCYCLE brings together 19 partners from 12 countries, combining world-leading academic expertise, industry innovators, applied research centres, and communication specialists. Together, they cover the full plastics value chain, from waste collection and depolymerisation to polymer design, formulation, demonstration, and market deployment.

The consortium is coordinated by Aalborg University (Denmark) and includes:

• EROSKI (Spain) – major cooperative retailer with expertise in packaging value chains.
• EVYAP (Türkiye) – leading personal care manufacturer, end-user of sustainable packaging.
• PACK4FOOD (Belgium) – specialist in packaging innovation and validation.
• BIO-MI (Croatia) – SME focusing on bioplastics R&D and production.
• TECNARO (Germany) – industry leader in biopolymer materials.
• Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant (Belgium) – hosting pilot-scale demonstration of UPCYCLE’s biorefinery.
• Bioplastech (Ireland) – SME developing biobased and biodegradable polymers.
• DTU (Denmark) – advancing eco-design and polymer science.
• AIMPLAS (Spain) – European leader in plastics materials innovation and assessments.
• Leibniz Institute – Hans Knoll Institute (Germany) – expertise in microbial pathways.
• Forschungszentrum Jülich (Germany) – cutting-edge applied research in bioprocessing.
• University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences – BOKU (Austria) – sustainable biopolymer development.
• Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (Germany) – advanced materials and energy expertise.
• Lund University (Sweden) – polymer chemistry and sustainability research.
• RWTH Aachen University (Germany) – techno-economic and life cycle assessments.
• University College Dublin (Ireland) – academic partner in polymer science and valorisation.
• AEIMIS (Spain) – expertise in sustainable marketing and business models.
• ECO Imagination (France) – leading project communication, dissemination, and exploitation.

Funded by the European Union under grant agreement number 101178389. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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Marin Polonijo and Arian Skoki are the creators of the “go-to Fizio” app, which simplifies the process of booking, receiving, and tracking patients undergoing physiotherapy. As the best project of the 16th generation of the Rijeka Startup Incubator, they were awarded a financial grant of 15,000 euros by the City of Rijeka to launch their own company in the Rijeka area.

The second prize and a grant of 7,000 euros went to Karmela Nina Barać, author of the Leptiri svijeta project, unique, handmade decorative products made with farm-bred butterflies, with options for personalization and butterfly education.

The third prize and 3,000 euros of support from the City of Rijeka was awarded to a three-member team: Josip Vuković, Sandra Brižić, and Karlo Vuković, for Kvarnerski ravioli, handmade pasta using local, seasonal ingredients, free of additives and preservatives.

The winners of Demo Day were selected by an expert panel after project presentations. Alongside our Ivona, the jury included Vedran Blagus, partner at the investment fund Feelsgood Capital, and Stevica Kuharski, partner at Fil Rouge Capital.

So far, the Startup Incubator has hosted a total of 268 teams and 611 participants in its incubation program. It has delivered 533 educational sessions and as many as 1,608 individual mentoring consultations with experts from its mentoring network, which currently includes 59 professionals. The total amount of financial support granted by the City of Rijeka from 2019 to date stands at 133,000 euros.

Photos by Helena Balaz.
More information about the event is available on the official website of the Rijeka Startup Incubator: https://startup.rijeka.hr

A short video recap is available at the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CBdSvWcUj/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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The meeting took place in a highly collaborative atmosphere, with progress updates from individual work packages and concrete planning of next steps toward achieving the project’s goals, which aim to deliver sustainable solutions based on furan-based polymers.

In addition to the rich program and constructive discussions, participants also had the opportunity to enjoy some social time and visit Bio-Mi’s facilities in Matulji.

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The OK biodegradable SOIL certified granulate is a key component in developing a wide range of biodegradable products. Its versatility and environmental performance enable industries to transition to circular materials without compromising on quality. This opens numerous possibilities for applications in agriculture, packaging, and other sectors seeking sustainable solutions.

Biodegradable mulch films play a key role in modern agriculture by increasing yields, improving crop quality, enhancing weed control, and reducing the need for irrigation and pesticides. A notable benefit is their ease of use at the end of the crop cycle, they can be left in the field and ploughed into the soil, eliminating the need for removal.

A notable benefit is their ease of use at the end of the crop cycle – they can be left in the field and ploughed into the soil, eliminating the need for removal.

TÜV (Technischer Überwachungsverein) is a network of independent inspection, testing, and certification bodies operating across Europe. TÜV certifications are internationally recognized marks of safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. The certification process includes a rigorous evaluation of the product according to strict technical and environmental standards.

TÜV certification demonstrate that our product meets high biodegradability standards while remaining highly effective for agricultural use. Moreover, it reaffirms our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and the development of circular biopolymer solutions.

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The Info Day focused on presenting the latest funding opportunities in the field of bioeconomy, with special emphasis on innovative and sustainable bio-based solutions. The total budget for this year’s CBE JU call amounts to €165 million, with applications open from 4 April to 17 September 2025.

We had the honor of showcasing a number of highly competitive European projects in which we participate as partners, each fully aligned with the key thematic areas of the CBE JU initiative, from sustainable raw materials and processing, to innovative bio-based products and cross-sectoral solutions.

Our projects served as a concrete example of the successful use of EU funding and cooperation within the circular bioeconomy.

You can read more about the event on the official website of the Ministry:
 Bioeconomy for a Sustainable Future

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The aim of the workshop was to gather insights from key stakeholders in the field of biochemicals and bioplastics, particularly regarding how existing regulatory frameworks impact innovation, production, and market access for bio-based products and technologies.

As an SME from southeastern Europe, Bio-Mi is uniquely positioned at the intersection of biodegradable material development and production, while also actively participating in EU research and innovation projects under the Horizon programme. This role places the company under various legal frameworks, many of which do not fully accommodate the specificities of novel bio-based materials.

During the years, Bio-Mi gained experience and has encountered several key challenges, including the lack of differentiation between fossil-based and bio-based materials in current regulations, and the fragmented implementation of rules across EU member states. We believe that while the EU has heavily invested in the research and development of bio-based innovations, this investment must be safeguarded by appropriate and supportive legal frameworks.

Bio-Mi is among the few companies in Europe certified with TÜV “OK BIODEGRADABLE SOIL” for both raw materials (granulates) and finished products (such as mulch films). Drawing from our experience, we want to highlight the importance of promoting the use of certified biodegradable mulch films in agriculture, as they protect the soil, reduce microplastic pollution, and offer clear environmental and economic benefits. We also want to stress the need to protect certified producers through strict monitoring and enforcement of labeling standards, in order to prevent unfair competition, especially from non-EU markets.

We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this important dialogue and share our perspectives. We hope our input will support the development of a more coherent and forward-looking regulatory environment that fosters innovation and sustainability in the biotechnology and biomanufacturing sectors.

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