BioBased ValueCircle · Training the new generation of industrial doctorates in the transition towards bio-based value circles

Training the new generation of industrial doctorates in the transition towards bio-based value circles

Biobased Value Circle aimed to establish a paradigm shift in the innovation process for biobased materials to accelerate the transition from a fossil-based to a biobased circular economy. This is essential to tackle urgent societal issues, such as climate change and plastic pollution. Biobased Value Circle trained the new generation of industrial doctorates in the transition towards biobased value circles. It offered a unique interdisciplinary research and training environment tailored for 12 Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs) excited by the development of innovative biobased products, respecting the principles of the circular economy. The program brought together cutting-edge research and development spanning the biobased materials value circle, involving companies (including SMEs) and academic institutes across Europe. The Biobased Value Circle consortium consisted of four (4) European universities (Maastricht University (AMIBM), Universitätsklinik Aachen (BioTex Institute), Karl Franzens University of Graz and National University of Ireland Galway), one (1) research institute (Deutsche Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt), and eight (8) European companies (B4Plastics, ChemStream, Fibrothelium, IFG Asota, KEEY Aerogel, Umlaut (Accenture), Spintex Engineering, and Technical Proteins Nanobiotechnology) that hired ESRs and hosted secondments as part of the training program coordinated by Maastricht University. ESRs have been trained in a set of twelve (12) interlinked projects that cover the conversion of biomass to materials, the development of materials into applications, the environmental and economic impact of biobased materials, and the societal changes required to transition to a circular biobased economy. The projects target specific and strategically chosen bio-based products. The Biobased Value Circle research program was organized into four research strands: 1) fibers for technical applications (ESR 6 & 7), 2) fibers for medical applications (ESR 1, 2, 8 & 9), 3) functional polymers (ESR 3, 4 & 5), and 4) common language and methodology (ESR 10, 11 & 12). Together, the ESRs will contribute to the development of a common language and methodology to stimulate co-operation along the value circle and speed up the product development process. The industry and academic participants co-supervised stimulating research projects to provide each ESR with valuable insights into the industry and academic research environments. Next to that, it is paired with a range of inspiring training modules that reflect the unique interdisciplinary and inter-sectorial environment created by Biobased Value Circle, including training relevant to the biobased industries and academic, industrial, and transferrable skills. This ensures that the values of the European Industrial Doctorates Program are addressed by creating a new generation of researchers who will benefit from crosscutting skills that allow them to thrive in both industry and academia, leading to more co-operation between these sectors and enhancing the competitiveness of Europe.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union