FinnCERES webinar series spotlit sustainable innovation in bio-based materials

FinnCERES successfully concluded its three-part webinar series on Techno-Economic Assessment (TEA) and Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of bio-based materials, held in March. Titled "Exploring Sustainable Innovation: FinnCERES Webinar Series on Techno-Economic Assessment and Life-Cycle Analysis," the series garnered significant interest and praise for its informative and engaging content.

Designed to equip researchers and industry professionals with essential knowledge and tools, the webinars covered foundational methodologies and practical applications of TEA and LCA. The sessions included:

• Diving into Life Cycle Assessment: Principles and Application in the Pulp Industry by Alessandro Marson, University of Padova, Italy.

• Harnessing the sustainability and economic potential of integrated biorefineries through computer-aided process engineering by Marie Jones, EPFL, Switzerland.

• Integrating Techno-Economic & Life Cycle Assessments for Comprehensive Feasibility Analysis of Innovative Biotechnologies by Jorge Benavides and Maria Ciotti, Italbiotec, Italy.

The series attracted a diverse and international audience, with more than 400 registrations from 33 different countries. Notably, 43% of participants tuned in from abroad, while 57% were based in Finland. While the webinars were highly popular within Aalto University and VTT, the registrants represented more than 90 different organizations, with 60% of them coming from outside these institutions.

Attendees were particularly interested in prospective Life Cycle Assessments and learning how to incorporate feasibility assessments early in the development stages of new technologies and materials. Throughout the series, the importance of assessing sustainability and economic feasibility of new technologies and materials was emphasized, given the growing global focus on sustainability. Biomass raw materials may bring added complexity due to their variability, which impacts both environmental and economic outcomes.

Reflecting on this success and the positive feedback from the participants, FinnCERES looks forward to organizing more events that drive innovation and sustainability in bio-based materials, fostering continued constructive discussions and knowledge sharing in the field.