Press Release: BioBase4SME announces LCA Workshop

Posted in: biobased

19/06/2017
BioBase4SME Workshop aims to encourage SMEs to apply for Bio-Innovation Coupons for Environmental Assessements and Life Cycle Analysis (LCA).

The BioBase4SME project (co-financed by Interreg NWE), offering bio-innovation support for SMEs, herewith announces its LCA Workshop hosted by the Brussels Greentech Cluster (Brussels, Belgium) on Wednesday June 28th, 2017.

The theme of the afternoon is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of biobased products or processes. Delegates will learn why it’s important to conduct an LCA of their products or processes even when these are biobased (e.g. natural products, biotech process, bioplastics). Companies that performed LCA in the past will show the benefits they obtained using such methodology. Furthermore, the workshop will be a good opportunity to learn about the services MATERIA NOVA offers and how they can be accessed by SMEs or Startups via the BioBase4SME Innovation Coupons (worth 8.000 – 25.000 €). The afternoon closes with a networking cocktail helping participants to make contact and exchange with entrepreneurs. Participation is free but registration is mandatory.

Established in 2001, Materia Nova (Material research and development centre) is operating as an autonomous non-profit organisation and aims at bridging the gap between fundamental research and industrial developments. 

The centre employs 85 multidisciplinary, highly qualified researchers, most of them with a PhD, as well as engineers specialised in biotechnology, life cycle assessment, (bio)polymer engineering, biomaterials (synthesis-compounding-biodegradation), and surface treatments among others. 

The YCLA department focusses on performing environmental assessment through the complete product life cycle (Life Cycle Assessment or LCA) and is involved in most of the Materia Nova R&D projects. From an early stage on, they help researchers and engineers to make sound economic and environmental choices during product/process developments. The team has access to the expertise of all Materia Nova departments, true added value when assessing products and processes or finding alternatives for clients! The team has performed numerous assessments working on Regional and European collaborative projects as well as in bilateral modus with companies of which some will be presenting during the workshop.

The workshop will also provide information on the BioBase4SME innovation coupon scheme and other support mechanisms the project offers to SMEs and start-ups innovating in the biobased economy. The LCA service of Materia Nova is one of the many services that can be accessed by SMEs and start-ups via this coupon system.

For more information:

For more information on the workshop and registration: http://www.nweurope.eu/projects/project-search/bio-innovation-support-for-entrepreneurs-throughout-nwe-regions/events/  or contact Guillaume Wegria, tel: +32 (0)484 139 007, guillaume.wegria@materianova.be.

The BioBase4SME network, representing leading bio-based economy experts, support SMEs and start-ups across North-West Europe on how to develop new ideas into marketable products. The BioBase4SME expert network organises workshops on specific topics, diverse training events and an innovation bio-camp. Furthermore, SMEs and start-ups can apply for bio-innovation coupons with a value up to €100.000 when looking for technical (process development, scale-up…) and non-technical support (LCA, application testing, market research, business plan coaching, social acceptance…). For more information on the project: www.nweurope.eu/BioBase4SME.

Notes to editors:

1. The project:
The European Commission has launched through its INTERREG NWE Programme a three-year project “BioBase4SME” to further support the development of the biobased economy in North West Europe (NWE). The €5.83 million project will help start-ups and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to overcome technological and non-technological barriers on their path to turn biobased research into commercial innovation. BioBase4SME offers training, innovation biocamps, workshops and innovation coupons worth up to €100.000. The BioBase4SME partnership includes eight organisations from six different countries http://www.nweurope.eu/BioBase4SME

2. The BioBase4SME partners are:

3. INTERREG North-West Europe Programme
BioBase4SME is 60% funded by the INTERREG NWE Programme. The Interreg North-West Europe Programme fosters transnational cooperation to make the North Western Europe a key economic player and an attractive place to work and live, with high levels of innovation, sustainability and cohesion. http://www.nweurope.eu/

4. BioBase4SME is co-financed by:

5. BioBase4SME Project Office:

The BioBase4SME project is coordinated by Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant (Ghent, Belgium). For more information, comment or interview requests about BioBase4SME, please contact:

Dr Lieve Hoflack, Project Manager, tel: +32 (0)9 335 70 01, lieve.hoflack@bbeu.org
OR
Katrien Molders, Communication Manager, tel: +32 (0)486 951 109, Katrien.molders@bbeu.org
http://www.nweurope.eu/BioBase4SME

For more information on the LCA Workshop, contact Guillaume Wegria, tel: +32 (0)484 139 007, guillaume.wegria@materianova.be.

The LCA Workshop is supported by:



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