EPNOE 2023

The Austrian university consortium – University of Graz, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, University of Vienna and University of Innsbruck – was this year’s organiser of the 8th International Polysaccharide Conference.

MFP Managing Director Peter Bekaert was invited to take part in the round table discussion “Fibre-based materials in a circular future”. Wolfgang Bauer from TU Graz moderated the round table with Markus Biesalski – TU Darmstadt, Markus Wildberger – Koehler, Ulrich Hirn – TU Graz, Frank Miletzki – TU Dresden, Tobias Stern – Uni Graz, Thomas Timmel – BioBASE and Peter Bekaert.
Five key points were developed that are important for the future development of fibre-based materials.

It was Peter Bekaert’s first visit to the EPNOE and he is delighted:
“Fibre-based materials are a core component of a future circular bioeconomy. In order to find the best way to achieve this, I believe it is absolutely essential that experts from research and industry work together intensively, share their knowledge and inspire each other. This is exactly what happened at this round table. I would like to emphasise two of the points discussed:
– Using a consistent life cycle assessment that includes social aspects instead of a life cycle assessment for individual products
– The availability of fibre materials must be ensured, e.g. through greater efficiency in the recovery of fibres from waste other than paper and cardboard or through research into new cycles for fibre recycling”

With the Model Factory Paper, we have created a non-profit interest group consisting of strong and innovative companies from the paper industry and renowned research institutes. Open dialogue and transparent work are the key words for us to achieve our common and global climate goals.”

Background:
This conference is an initiative of EPNOE, the Cellulose and Renewable Division of the American Chemical Society ( ACS CELL ) and the Cellulose Society of Japan ( CSJ ). The aim of the EPNOE International Polysaccharides Conference is to bring together scientists and industry who are passionate about research, development and applications related to polysaccharides. Over the years, the conference has developed into one of the largest events in the field of polysaccharides, bringing together over 450 researchers from around the world.