On 13 November 2025, Aalborg University (AAU) welcomed industry representatives, researchers, and circular-plastics enthusiasts to its latest Science Café: Bio-Upcycling, an event designed to bridge academic excellence with real-world industrial needs. Held in a hybrid format at AAU’s Aalborg East campus, the session offered a dynamic space for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and exploration of cutting-edge solutions for transforming plastic waste into valuable resources.
With growing demand for innovative and sustainable pathways in plastics recycling, the Science Café series plays a central role in connecting research with practice. This edition focused on bio-upcycling technologies, an emerging field that uses biological processes to convert low-value plastic waste into high-value materials.
Participants gained insights from two leading AAU researchers who presented the latest scientific advances shaping the future of circular plastics.
As project coordinator of the Horizon Europe project UPCYCLE, Aalborg University also introduced the project’s vision and technological ambitions during the café.
After the presentations, participants joined an informal networking session where industry representatives and academics exchanged perspectives, explored potential collaborations, and discussed emerging R&I opportunities in bio-based and biodegradable plastics.
The Science Café once again proved to be a valuable platform for accelerating collaboration, showcasing cutting-edge research, and inspiring new solutions for the future of plastic recycling.