The UPCYCLE project will take part in the 20th International Symposium on Biopolymers (ISBP 2026), taking place in Dublin, Ireland, from 6 to 9 September 2026. Organised by the project partner, University College Dublin (UCD), the symposium brings together researchers, scientists, and industry professionals working across the biopolymer value chain, from production and processing to applications and biodegradation.
The event focuses on the application of biotechnology and chemistry to polymer synthesis and recycling, covering topics such as biopolymer production, biodegradation, sustainability, and the scale-up of new materials and processes. A dedicated industry programme will also explore product development, production scale-up, and market opportunities for biopolymer solutions.
UPCYCLE expertise across the programme
Several UPCYCLE partners will take part in the scientific programme, bringing perspectives that span material development, sustainability assessment, and recycling.
From Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Anders Daugaard will discuss how by-products and waste materials can be used to create biopolymer composites, highlighting opportunities to turn underutilised resources into new material solutions. His contribution is complemented by Anders Damgaard, who will explore how life cycle assessment can help evaluate the future sustainability of novel biopolymers, connecting material innovation with broader environmental considerations.
The programme will also feature Georg Gubitz from BOKU University, presenting work on the enzymatic recycling of circular polyesters, an area that reflects the growing interest in biotechnology-driven approaches for retaining material value and supporting circular material flows.
In addition, Rhys Orimaco from University College Dublin (UCD) will present a poster on the production of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) using a Pseudomonas umsongensis GO16-based biocatalyst, contributing to ongoing research into bio-based building blocks for future polymer systems.
Together, these presentations illustrate the breadth of expertise within the UPCYCLE consortium and the different routes being explored to support more sustainable and circular material systems.
Looking ahead
ISBP 2026 offers an opportunity to share UPCYCLE’s latest developments with a community working on some of the key challenges facing the polymer sector.
UPCYCLE looks forward to joining the discussions and presenting its advances in biotechnology-driven solutions for circular plastics alongside researchers and organisations working on the future of fibres, polymers, and sustainable materials.
If you are attending ISBP 2026, join us in Dublin and discover how UPCYCLE partners are contributing to the next generation of biopolymers and circular material solutions.