On May 9, the third regional Living Lab workshop of the ROBOCOOP-EU project—funded by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU)—took place in Western Macedonia. The event brought together 14 key stakeholders from the agro-industrial, research, public administration, and social sectors.
During the workshop, the project team presented progress on optimizing laboratory-scale processes and introduced a conceptual model that positions primary producers as active participants in biomass pre-processing.
Participants also examined the regulatory framework influencing the bio-based industry, emphasizing the critical role of local expertise. A major highlight was the inclusion of regional experts in a newly established European working group focused on primary producers.
Katerina Giannakoula, Associate Consultant at DIADYMA S.A. (the Regional Waste Management Company of Western Macedonia), provided an overview of the regulatory framework governing residue treatment. She addressed the obligations and potential challenges faced by primary producers.
Konstantinos Kalogiannis, Assistant Professor at the University of Western Macedonia and collaborating faculty at the Chemical Process and Energy Resources Institute, shared valuable insights into the valorization potential of regional residues and discussed future biorefinery opportunities.
The session concluded with the initial development of viable business models, which will be further refined ahead of the next regional workshop, scheduled for autumn of 2025.
