The UPCYCLE project was represented at the BESSY@HZB User Meeting 2025, held on 3–4 December 2025 in Berlin. The event brought together several hundred synchrotron users and researchers from around the world. This year’s programme featured scientific updates, technical discussions, a marketplace of innovation, and exchanges on the development of the nextgeneration light source BESSY III.
UPCYCLE was represented by project partner Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin (HZB), with Dr. Gert Weber presenting the poster “Upscaling and engineering of PET hydrolases in the Horizon Europe project UPCYCLE.” His contribution introduced attendees to UPCYCLE’s work on developing circular value chains capable of converting currently nonrecyclable mixed plastic waste into biodegradable polymers.
In his poster, Dr. Weber highlighted HZB’s role in the project, which focuses on upscaling PET hydrolase production and improving enzyme performance through AIbased protein design, structureguided engineering, and highthroughput screening. These activities support UPCYCLE’s broader ambition to advance innovative biotechnological solutions for plastic waste valorisation.
The User Meeting provided a valuable opportunity to showcase UPCYCLE within a community deeply engaged in materials science, structural biology, catalysis, and life science, fields that are essential for the project’s scientific and technological progress.
UPCYCLE’s participation helped strengthen connections with the synchrotron user community and reaffirmed the project’s relevance within ongoing discussions on advanced analytical tools and sustainable innovation.