TwInn4MicroUp at the VII International Enzyme & Bioprocess Days: From Plastic Recycling to Biorefineries
TwInn4MicroUp was represented at the VII International Enzyme & Bioprocess Days (EBDays 2026), held on 26–28 August 2026 at Karadeniz Technical University in Trabzon, Türkiye.
Project Coordinator Prof. Evangelos Topakas (NTUA) joined the conference as a plenary speaker, delivering the talk: “Beyond Recycling: Building Plastic Biorefineries with Enzymes and Microbial Cell Factories”. The presentation highlighted research from the Industrial Biotechnology & Biocatalysis (IndBioCat) group at NTUA, focusing on how enzymes and engineered microbial systems can support the development of integrated plastic biorefineries. Moving beyond conventional recycling, these approaches aim to convert plastic-derived streams into valuable new products through biological upcycling and sustainable bioprocessing.
EBDays 2026 brought together researchers and professionals from across enzyme science and bioprocess engineering, with sessions spanning enzyme discovery and engineering, bioprocess optimisation, scale-up, automated bioreactor control, computational approaches and machine learning-assisted bioprocessing, as well as applications in bioplastics, biofuels, pharmaceuticals, food biotechnology and environmental remediation. Prof. Topakas’ plenary contribution offered an important opportunity to present scientific work closely connected to the objectives of TwInn4MicroUp to an international audience and to strengthen the project’s visibility within the enzyme technology, microbial biotechnology and industrial biotechnology communities.
Watch the full plenary talk
The full presentation is available below with English subtitles.
The 7th International Enzyme & Bioprocess Days was organised in honour of Prof. Dr. Ömer İrfan Küfrevioğlu of Atatürk University, recognising his outstanding contributions to enzyme research. Participation in EBDays 2026 forms part of TwInn4MicroUp’s broader efforts to disseminate its research, engage with the international scientific community and promote innovative biotechnology-based solutions for the sustainable valorisation of plastic waste.