Welcome to the Second Issue of the ESCIB Project’s Bi-annual Newsletter!
ESCIB Project
Developing environmental sustainability & circularity assessment methodologies for industrial bio-based systems
Welcome to the Second Issue of the ESCIB Project’s Bi-annual Newsletter!
As 2024 wraps up (and just before we all collectively give our livers and credit cards a year-end workout), we’re excited to update you on the strides made by the ESCIB team this past half-year.
The ESCIB project is an innovative project aimed at helping the European bio-based economy by developing crucial assessment methodologies that will allow faster and more accurate assessments of their value chains.
In this edition, you’ll find highlights of our latest activities, milestones achieved, and news on relevant happenings in the world of bio-based value chains.
Milestones Have Been Reached!
The ESCIB project expanded the knowledge base on bio-based industries across Europe. Researchers at TUM, supported by the entire consortium, led efforts to gather extensive information on established value chains—from raw materials through to end products. This involved analyzing public information, tapping into online databases, and conducting interviews with industry representatives.
Building on these findings, TUM, VTT, and UGENT worked closely to create a structured framework for comparing and evaluating various systems. By using consistent criteria, they ensured that data from different regions can be aligned, facilitating meaningful comparisons and insights that will remain relevant as new technologies and approaches emerge.
Finally, researchers from UGENT, UU, ADAI, TUM, and VTT critically reviewed existing methodologies and indicators to gauge how effectively different approaches capture circularity within industrial value chains. Their collective expertise ensured the selection of reliable, life cycle-based tools that can guide more informed decision-making, thereby strengthening the overall credibility and practical value of the work conducted thus far.
First Webinar Organised
We also hosted our first webinar on December 11, 2024, bringing experts and partners together to share knowledge, debate approaches, and generally show off how excited we are about making bio-based systems as efficient and circular as possible.
ESCIB on the Move
SETAC Europe 26th LCA Symposium
Representatives from Ghent University and Utrecht University recently presented ESCIB-related research at the SETAC Europe 26th LCA Symposium in Gothenburg. The event focused on enhancing the meaningfulness of Life Cycle Assessment for more sustainable decision-making.
Their contributions support the refinement of ESCIB’s methodologies and reinforce the project’s commitment to advancing sustainable, data-driven solutions.
Spotlight: Grown.bio and Mycelium-based Packaging
We are pleased to acknowledge the innovative work of Grown.bio, a company developing mycelium-based packaging solutions. Packaging remains a significant contributor to global waste, and bio-based alternatives offer a promising path toward reducing environmental impact. By applying ESCIB’s assessment frameworks, we aim to assist companies like Grown.bio in identifying opportunities to enhance sustainability and circularity, ultimately fostering a more efficient and eco-friendlier sector. Learn more about Grown.bio.
Project Partners: Ghent University and Utrecht University
In this newsletter, two project partners are presented: they are Ghent University and Utrecht University. In the following newsletters, other project partners will be presented.
Ghent University is a top-ranked institution with over 50,000 students and actively participates in national and international collaborations across academic, scientific, and industrial sectors. The Research Group Sustainable Systems Engineering (STEN) applies advanced sustainability and resource efficiency assessments to improve environmental performance. In ESCIB, Ghent University will lead activities on circularity assessment from a life-cycle perspective for bio-based systems. In addition, it will also have an important role in addressing the environmental sustainability and will support in all other activities.
Established in 1636, Utrecht University is among the world’s top-ranked universities. Its Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, comprising over 300 researchers, drives the transition to a sustainable society by generating actionable knowledge, collaborating across sectors, and educating future leaders. Drawing on its Geosciences expertise, Utrecht University has developed advanced methods for assessing land use change and excels in life cycle and circularity assessments for bio-based products. With ongoing involvement in projects like HARMONITOR and 3-CO, UU is well-positioned to lead ESCIB’s sustainability assessment methods, integrate them with certification schemes and policy, and contribute strongly to the development of circularity assessment methods.
Related Projects
The BioINSouth project aims to support decision-makers to incorporate considerations of ecological limits into their regional bioeconomy strategies and roadmaps relevant to circular bio-based activities. They aim to develop guidelines and digital tools, considering the safe and sustainable by design (SSbD) assessment framework, to support the adoption of innovative methodologies to assess environmental impacts in multiple industrial bio-based systems, increasing regional competitiveness and innovation capacity, and contributing to the EU fair & green transition.
Sustainable Holiday Tips
As the holiday season approaches, consider these environmentally conscious practices to help reduce waste and conserve resources:
Eco-friendly Wrapping
Opt for kraft paper and natural decorations like twine, dried flowers, or pinecones instead of plastic ribbons.
Energy-Efficient Lighting
Choose LED lights and use timers to minimize energy consumption while maintaining a festive ambiance.
Sustainable Trees
Consider a potted tree that can be replanted, or select a tree crafted from recycled materials to reduce waste.
Local Sourcing
Support local artisans and small businesses to lessen shipping impacts and promote community well-being. By integrating these thoughtful choices, we can all contribute to a more sustainable and meaningful holiday season.
Stay Informed
We look forward to sharing further developments from the ESCIB project as we continue our work toward establishing effective sustainability and circularity assessments. Thank you for your interest in our progress.
Wishing you a Sustainable and Prosperous New Year,
The ESCIB Team
Our website: www.escib.eu
For further information please contact:
Project Coordinator
Dominik Rutz • dominik.rutz@wip-munich.de
Rainer Janssen • rainer.janssen@wip-munich.de
Chuan Ma • chuan.ma@wip-munich.de
WIP Renewable Energies Sylvensteinstr. 2, 81369 Munich, Germany