Pilots4U powered by COPILOT

Aim of the webinar:

To provide participants with an overview on possible recovery and purification options, as required on the basis of product characteristics, feedstock type and other relevant process condition and/or limitations (cost, flexibility, sustainability).

Date / Timing:

18 June 2025, 10 – 11 am CET

Location / Venue:

ONLINE

Organiser:  

LIST, Luxembourg in collaboration with “Pilots4U powered by CoPilot”.
https://www.list.lu/

Target audience:

All bioeconomy stakeholders, where possible with a focus on BioInnovators (Technology Owners).

Agenda:

Essentials of Downstream Processing Technology (10:00 – 11:15)
By Hector Marcelo FERNANDEZ LAHORE, Head of Unit in Environmental and Industrial Biotechnologies

• Welcome and intro (10:00 – 10:05)
  • Hector Marcelo Fernandez Lahore, LIST
• Presentation of the PILOTS4U Platform & COPILOT Project (10:05 – 10:15)
  • Yang Zou, Pilots4U Platform manager
• Introduction of the LIST biotech facility (10:15 – 10:25)
  • Hector Marcelo Fernandez Lahore, LIST
• Essentials of Downstream Processing (10:25 – 11:00)
  • Hector Marcelo Fernandez Lahore, LIST
• Closing remarks and Q&A (11:00 – 11:15)
  • Hector Marcelo Fernandez Lahore, LIST

A brief introduction to biochemical engineering with particular reference to separation processes. New trends in bioprocess integration and intensification.

Primary recovery. This will include commonly utilised operations like centrifugation and filtration (dead-end and tangential). Utilisation of membranes as a tool for fractionation. Cell disruption processes when product is located in the intracellular space. Biomass pre-treatment for raw materials.

Product Purification. Adsorption and Chromatography. Application of adsorptive technology a) to gain selectivity during membrane operations and b) to “integrate” operations by direct capture.

Additional opportunities for downstream process integration: Aqueous-Two partitioning. Partitioning of proteins and system design.

Principles of size-exclusion chromatography as polishing step. Advantages and limitations.

Registration:

Click here to REGISTER.

More information:

Please, contact: marcelo.fernandez-lahore@list.lu

Aim of the study visit and workshop:

Between May 2025 and May 2026, fifteen European Pilot and Demonstration Infrastructures (PDIs) will open their doors for a CoPilot study visit and scale-up workshop. These study visits and workshops will be open to any bioeconomy stakeholder and are part of the COPILOT/PILOTS4U “Scale-Up & Growth” Programme.

As part of the European COPILOT project, the Slovenian CDMO facility Acies Bio will organize a one-day study visit at there pilot facility in Kamnik.

Date / Timing:

2 September 2025 from 10 am – 2.30 pm

Location / Venue:

ACIES BIO D.O.O.
Tehnološki park 21
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenija

Travel Vouchers available via Open Call 3 for this visit? 

YES

Target audience:

All bioeconomy stakeholders, where possible with a focus on BioInnovators (Technology Owners).

Agenda:

• Organized transportation from Ljubljana headquarters
• Pilot facility tour
• Workshop on business models in scale up
• walking lunch
• Networking opportunity with different stakeholder and industry experts

A shuttle bus service will transport participants to the site, where they can discover how biotech concepts are developed and scaled to industrially relevant levels.

Registration:

Click here to register for this event.

More information:

Please, contact: Bor Klančnik, bor.klancnik@aciesbio.com
Weblink: https://www.aciesbio.com/

General framework:

Between May 2025 and May 2026, fifteen European Pilot and Demonstration Infrastructures (PDIs) will open their doors for a CoPilot study visit and scale-up workshop. These study visits and workshops will be open to any bioeconomy stakeholder and are part of the COPILOT/PILOTS4U “Scale-Up & Growth” Programme. 

Aim of the study visit and workshop:

The Austrian facility BEST – Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies GmbH is pleased to host a study visit and scale-up workshop at its location in Wieselburg.

The event focusses on the implementation and piloting of thermochemical technologies (pyrolysis and gasification) for the valorization of local biomass, residues and wastes. The thermochemical treatment enables the production of energy as well as renewable carbon products (biochar, bio-oils and gases) for different applications such as agriculture, plastics production or metallurgy. Within a local biorefinery concept, a wide range of raw materials and residues, preferably at the end of cascading utilization concepts, can be used as feedstocks.

These concepts are to be tested, evaluated, piloted and demonstrated at the GreenCarbon Lab of BEST, whose heart consists of two pyrolysis units: a laboratory-scale rotary kiln pyrolysis reactor and a pilot-scale double auger pyrolysis unit. Research activities focus on the testing of new input materials and on the upscaling of the process to obtain GreenCarbon products (biochar, bio-oils and gases) with defined properties.

The event aims to connect regional, national and international stakeholders in the bioeconomy network. The morning session (which includes the scale-up workshop) will be followed by a study visit to GreenCarbon lab. Plenty of networking opportunities are provided within the coffee break, walking lunch and closing session. Moreover, the visit of the GreenCarbon Lab will be organized in smaller groups to facilitate the participants’ interactions.

Date / Timing:

23 September 2025 from 9 am – 4 pm

Location / Venue:

BEST – Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies GmbH
Gewerbepark Haag 3
3250 Wieselburg-Land
Austria

Travel Vouchers available via Open Call 3 for this visit? 

YES

Target audience:

All bioeconomy stakeholders, where possible with a focus on BioInnovators (Technology Owners).

Agenda:

9:00-9:30 – Registration

9:30-9:45 – Introduction to “Pilots4U powered by CoPilot” Platform & Database

9:45-10:15 – Introduction to BEST and its GreenCarbon Lab and Syngas-Platform mission

10:15-11:00 – Pyrolysis plants for biochar production: Technology overview, integration and commissioning challenges

11:00-11:30 – Coffee break

11:30-12:30– Training Session: Market Opportunities – Best practice examples

12:30-13:15 – Walking lunch break

13:15-14:15 – Study visit: GreenCarbon Lab infrastructure

From 14:15 onwards – Closing remarks, feedback survey and open networking,

Registration:

The event is free of charge with a maximum attendance 60 participants. Registration is mandatory.

Link for registration:  https://best-research.eu/content/de/anmeldung_copilot_meeting_2025

More information & Accommodation:

The easiest way to reach the facility is by car. If you travel by public transport, the nearest railway station is in Wieselburg, from there you can reach the facility with a 20-minute walk or by taxi. (Local taxi service.)

Please let us know in the registration form, if you plan to reach BEST GmbH by public transport or by car. We will follow up with suggestions for travel and accommodation (overnight stay for the night before/after the event).

Contact:

Manuel Schwabl, manuel.schwabl@best-research.eu
Elisa Carlon, elisa.carlon@best-research.eu

Weblink: https://best-research.eu/en

The COPILOT consortium organises a webinar to inform potential COPILOT “Open Call 3 – Part 2” applicants.

When? 

The one-hour webinar is scheduled for Tuesday 23 September 2025 at 11 am CET.

Who?

Anyone considering to apply for a Travel Voucher through COPILOT Open Call 3 – Part 2

Agenda

11 – 11.05 am          Introduction on Pilots4U powered by COPILOT
by Yang Zou, COPILOT Project Coordinator and Platform Manager

11.05 – 11.30 am    Introduction to COPILOT Open Call 3 
by Stef Denayer, Pilots4U Stakeholder Relations Manager

11.30 – 11.40 am     Application phase and important documents
by Nina Meglič, Circular economy Cluster manager at SGZ

11.40 am                  Q&A

Registration

CLICK HERE to register for this webinar. 

More information & Questions? 

Please, send an email to Yang Zou.

Aim of the webinar:

Info in due time.

Date / Timing:

25 September 2025, timing tbc

Location / Venue:

ONLINE

Organiser:  

DANISH TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE (DTI), Denmark in collaboration with “Pilots4U powered by CoPilot”.
https://www.dti.dk/

Target audience:

All bioeconomy stakeholders, where possible with a focus on BioInnovators (Technology Owners).

Agenda:

Title: Choices, Challenges and Collaboration in Process Scale-up
More information in due time.

Registration:

More information in due time

More information:

Please, contact: more info in due time.

Aim of the study visit and workshop:

Between May 2025 and May 2026, fifteen European Pilot and Demonstration Infrastructures (PDIs) will open their doors for a CoPilot study visit and scale-up workshop. These study visits and workshops will be open to any bioeconomy stakeholder and are part of the COPILOT/PILOTS4U “Scale-Up & Growth” Programme.

Date / Timing:

14 October 2025 from 9 am – 2 pm

Location / Venue:

LIST
5, Rue Bommel, Z.A.E. Robert Steichen
L-4940 Hautcharage
Luxembourg

Travel Vouchers available via Open Call 3 for this visit? 

YES

Target audience:

All bioeconomy stakeholders, where possible with a focus on BioInnovators (Technology Owners).

Agenda:

Training session of plant cell suspension, facility tour.
More information in due time.

Registration:

More information in due time

More information:

Please, contact: Jenny Renault, jenny.renaut@list.lu
Weblink: https://www.list.lu/

Aim of the study visit and workshop:

Between May 2025 and May 2026, fifteen European Pilot and Demonstration Infrastructures (PDIs) will open their doors for a CoPilot study visit and scale-up workshop. These study visits and workshops will be open to any bioeconomy stakeholder and are part of the COPILOT/PILOTS4U “Scale-Up & Growth” Programme.

Date / Timing:

16 October 2025 from 1 pm – 5.30 pm

Location / Venue:

A4F Lisbon
Estrada do Paço do Lumiar Campus do Lumiar, Ed. E – R/C
1649-038 Lisboa
Portugal

Travel Vouchers available via Open Call 3 for this visit? 

YES

Target audience:

All bioeconomy stakeholders, where possible with a focus on BioInnovators (Technology Owners).

Agenda:

Technical specifications of open access upscaling facilities for precision and biomass fermentation, facility tour.
More information in due time.

Registration:

More information in due time

More information:

Please, contact: Carlos Silva, carlos.silva@algafuel.pt
Weblink: https://a4f.pt/en

Aim of the study visit and workshop:

Between May 2025 and May 2026, fifteen European Pilot and Demonstration Infrastructures (PDIs) will open their doors for a CoPilot study visit and scale-up workshop. These study visits and workshops will be open to any bioeconomy stakeholder and are part of the COPILOT/PILOTS4U “Scale-Up & Growth” Programme.

Date / Timing:

5 November 2025 from 9 am – 2 pm

Location / Venue:

IBioIC Bioprocessing Scale-up Centre
John Coulson Building
Heriot-Watt University
Edinburgh
EH14 4AL
Scotland

Travel Vouchers available via Open Call 3 for this visit? 

YES

Target audience:

All bioeconomy stakeholders, where possible with a focus on BioInnovators (Technology Owners).

Agenda:

Co-pilot Open Day – FlexBIO		Wednesday 5th November 2025
09:00 – 09:30	Registration and tea/coffee/biscuits
09:30 – 09:45	Overview of the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) – why working with an innovation can accelerate your business with help from our network
09:45 – 10:00	Getting to know you – speed networking
10:00 – 10:15	Introduction to FlexBIO capabilities and successful projects
10:15 – 11:00	Facility Tour and meet the team – See and learn about FlexBIO capabilities – from microbial, precision and biomass fermentation to mammalian cell expansion and downstream processing
11:00 – 11:30	Break
11:30 – 12:30	Bioprocessing Scale-up Theory Training – Scale-up from lab-scale to pilot-scale – Key Considerations for Upstream and Downstream Processing
12:30 – 13:30	Lunch
13:30 – 15:00	Practical Training Options (select one) – customised according to participant requirements
	Parallel Session 1 – Scale-up considerations from microbial cells to cultivated meat	Parallel Session 2 – Don’t forget the downstream processing – full DSP including disc stack centrifuge. homogeniser, Tangential flow filtration, chromatography , drying
15:00 – 15:10	Close

Registration:

Click here to register for the IBioIC Bioprocessing Scale-up Centre Study Visit. 

More information:

Please, contact: Neil Renault, neil.renault@ibioic.com
Weblink: https://www.ibioic.com/bioprocessing-scale-up-centres

Aim of the webinar:

Info in due time.

Date / Timing:

10 November 2025, timing tbc

Location / Venue:

ONLINE

Organiser:  

A4F-ALGAFUEL, Portugal in collaboration with “Pilots4U powered by CoPilot”.
https://a4f.pt/en

Target audience:

All bioeconomy stakeholders, where possible with a focus on BioInnovators (Technology Owners).

Agenda:

Title: Biological Contaminants & Microalgae Crop Protection
More information in due time.

Registration:

More information in due time

More information:

Please, contact: more info in due time.

More information in due time. for now, keep an eye on: https://www.pitchperfectbioeconomy.eu/

No travel vouchers available for this event.

More info in due time. No travel vouchers available for this event.

Aim of the webinar:

Info in due time.

Date / Timing:

2 December 2025, timing tbc

Location / Venue:

ONLINE

Organiser:  

IBioIC, Scotland in collaboration with “Pilots4U powered by CoPilot”.
https://www.ibioic.com/

Target audience:

All bioeconomy stakeholders, where possible with a focus on BioInnovators (Technology Owners).

Agenda:

Title: Innovation in the bioeconomy
More information in due time.

Registration:

More information in due time

More information:

Please, contact: more info in due time

Aim of the webinar:

Info in due time.

Date / Timing:

20 January 2026, 2 – 3 pm

Location / Venue:

ONLINE

Organiser:  

BEST Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies, Austria in collaboration with “Pilots4U powered by CoPilot”.
https://best-research.eu/en/home

Target audience:

All bioeconomy stakeholders, where possible with a focus on BioInnovators (Technology Owners).

Agenda:

Title: The condensation of liquids during pyrolysis
More information in due time.

Registration:

More information in due time

More information:

Please, contact: more info in due time

Aim of the study visit and workshop:

Between May 2025 and May 2026, fifteen European Pilot and Demonstration Infrastructures (PDIs) will open their doors for a CoPilot study visit and scale-up workshop. These study visits and workshops will be open to any bioeconomy stakeholder and are part of the COPILOT/PILOTS4U “Scale-Up & Growth” Programme.

Date / Timing:

4 February 2026, timing tbc

Location / Venue:

Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz FHNW
FHNW Campus Muttenz
Hofackerstrasse 30
4132 Muttenz
Switzerland

Travel Vouchers available via Open Call 3 for this visit? 

NO

Target audience:

All bioeconomy stakeholders, where possible with a focus on BioInnovators (Technology Owners).

Agenda:

Scale-up workshop, facility tour.
More information in due time.

Registration:

More information in due time

More information:

Please, contact: Prof. Dr. -Ing. Wolfgang Riedl, wolfgang.riedl@fhnw.ch
Weblink: https://www.fhnw.ch/en/about-fhnw/schools/lifesciences/process-technology-center-ptc

Aim of the webinar:

Info in due time.

Date / Timing:

10 February 2026, timing tbc

Location / Venue:

ONLINE

Organiser:  

NIZO, The Netherlands in collaboration with “Pilots4U powered by CoPilot”.
https://www.nizo.com/

Target audience:

All bioeconomy stakeholders, where possible with a focus on BioInnovators (Technology Owners).

Agenda:

Title: Process and Microbial Modelling, including food safety and quality aspects of food processing and upscaling.
More information in due time.

Registration:

More information in due time

More information:

Please, contact: more info in due time

Aim of the webinar:

Info in due time.

Date / Timing:

26 February 2026, timing tbc

Location / Venue:

ONLINE

Organiser:  

BIOSPHERE, Italy in collaboration with “Pilots4U powered by CoPilot”.
https://www.biospheresrl.com/

Target audience:

All bioeconomy stakeholders, where possible with a focus on BioInnovators (Technology Owners).

Agenda:

Title: Intellectual Property and Patents for Biosolution Start-Ups
More information in due time.

Registration:

More information in due time

More information:

Please, contact: more info in due time

Aim of the webinar:

Info in due time.

Date / Timing:

February 2026, timing tbc

Location / Venue:

ONLINE

Organiser:  

FOOD PILOT, Belgium in collaboration with “Pilots4U powered by CoPilot”.
https://www.foodpilot.be/en

Target audience:

All bioeconomy stakeholders, where possible with a focus on BioInnovators (Technology Owners).

Agenda:

Title: Integrating Novel Food Dossier Preparation into Your Product Development Process
incl. key note from FOD Volksgezondheid, advisor of Food Pilot, and testimonial from company
More information in due time.

Registration:

More information in due time

More information:

Please, contact: more info in due time

Aim of the study visit and workshop:

Between May 2025 and May 2026, fifteen European Pilot and Demonstration Infrastructures (PDIs) will open their doors for a CoPilot study visit and scale-up workshop. These study visits and workshops will be open to any bioeconomy stakeholder and are part of the COPILOT/PILOTS4U “Scale-Up & Growth” Programme.

Date / Timing:

April / May 2026

Location / Venue:

Food Pilot (ILVO)
Brusselse Steenweg 370
9090 Melle
Belgium

Travel Vouchers available via Open Call 3 for this visit? 

NO

Target audience:

All bioeconomy stakeholders, where possible with a focus on BioInnovators (Technology Owners).

Agenda:

Study visit with demonstration about scaling: “Exploring the impact of processing from lab scale to pilot scale, focused on a specific process, e.g. UHT, spray drying, or other.
More information in due time.

Registration:

More information in due time

More information:

Please, contact: Karen Verstraete 
Weblink: https://www.foodpilot.be/en/

Aim of the study visit and workshop:

Between May 2025 and May 2026, fifteen European Pilot and Demonstration Infrastructures (PDIs) will open their doors for a CoPilot study visit and scale-up workshop. These study visits and workshops will be open to any bioeconomy stakeholder and are part of the COPILOT/PILOTS4U “Scale-Up & Growth”

Date / Timing:

6 June 2025 from 11 am – 4 pm

Location / Venue:

BFF – NIZO
Kernhemseweg 2
6718 ZB Ede
The Netherlands

Travel Vouchers available via Open Call 3 for this visit? 

YES

Target audience:

All bioeconomy stakeholders active in food and food ingredients, where possible with a focus on BioInnovators (Technology Owners).

Agenda:

11:00 – 11:30: Arrival / Registration

11:30 – 12:30: Opening: Presentations by NIZO, BFF and two invited speakers active in the “(precision) fermentation for food ingredients” space.

Break

13:00 – 16:00: Break-out sessions/workshops

• Tour of the NIZO pilot plant
• BFF future outlook – virtual demonstration
• NIZO R&D demonstrations (tdb)
• Technical session on BFF facility design
• Networking speed dates

16:00 – 17:00; Drinks, Bites, Departures

Registration:

The event is free of charge. Registration is mandatory.

Click here to REGISTER. 

More information:

Please, contact:

• Robyn Eijlander, robyn.eijlander@nizo.com
• OR Celine Brattinga, celine.brattinga@nizo.com

Weblinks: https://www.nizo.com/ and www.bff-ede.com

We invite all Pilot and Demo Infrastructures (PDIs) active in the bioeconomy to join us for the official launch of the next generation Pilots4U powered by COPILOT platform.

This webinar will introduce the platform’s new features, demonstrate how to register and upload content, and outline the benefits of becoming a member of this growing community.

Target audience

Pilot and Demo Infrastructures (PDIs) active in the bioeconomy.

Agenda

Time (CET)	Topic	Speaker
14:00 – 14:10	Welcome & Introduction to Pilots4U powered by COPILOT: database, community and project	Stef Denayer, Stakeholder Relations Manager, Pilots4U
14:10 – 14:40	Platform demonstration: key features, user registration, and content upload – a step-by-step guide	Glenn Verhelst, Website Developer, US
14:40 – 14:50	Q&A	All speakers
14:50 – 14:55	Upcoming events & activities of Pilots4U powered by CoPilot	Yang Zou, CoPilot Project Coordinator
14:55 – 15:00	Closing remarks	Stef Denayer

Registration

This event is open and free of charge for all Pilot and Demo Infrastructures (PDIs) active in the bioeconomy.

Please, send an email to Yang.Zou@bbeu.org if you wish to attend this kick-off webinar.

Aim of the webinar:

The purpose of this webinar is to provide participants with insights into how Pilot & Demo facility design and implement business models to commercialize biosolutions and scale innovative biotechnologies.

We will cover:

• Understanding the Role of Biosolutions: What are biosolutions, and how do they address key challenges across agriculture, food, and industrial biotechnology?
• Exploring Business Models: What business models apply in scale up services, including contract development, fee for service, grant based collaborations and others.
• De-risking Scaling from Lab to Market: Strategies and frameworks used to reduce risk and ensure successful scale-up of microbial technologies.
• Leveraging Strategic Partnerships: How joint development and IP-sharing models can accelerate innovation and market access.
• Anticipating Future Trends: An overview of emerging models in the bioeconomy, such as platform-as-a-service, data-integrated biomanufacturing trends.

Date / Timing:

26 May 2025, 14:30 – 15:45 CEST

Location / Venue:

ONLINE

Organiser:  

ACIES BIO, Slovenia in collaboration with “Pilots4U powered by CoPilot”.
https://www.aciesbio.com/

Target audience:

All bioeconomy stakeholders, where possible with a focus on BioInnovators (Technology Owners).

Agenda:

Title: Business models in biosolutions and in scaling innovative technologies.

• Webinar Objectives (14:30 – 14:35)
  • Brief introduction to webinar objectives
  • Bor Klančnik, Acies Bio
• Presentation of the PILOTS4U Platform & COPILOT Project (14:35 – 14:45)
  • Yang Zou, Pilots4U Platform
• Presentation of Acies Bio (14:45 – 14:55)
  • Martin Kavšček, Acies Bio
• Business models in Scaling Innovative Technologies (14:55 – 15:30)
  • Interactive presentation
  • Bor Klančnik, Acies Bio
• Closing remarks and Q&A (15:30 – 15:45)
  • Bor Klančnik, Acies Bio

Registration:

Please register using the following registration form: https://forms.gle/6TtmENk9y1qciahN8

More information:

Please, contact: Bor Klančnik, bor.klancnik@aciesbio.com

Aim of the webinar:

The purpose of this course is to give the participants an understanding on how to make an effective pitch including a clear and precise value proposition. The following elements are included:

• Know & Understand Your Audience: First things first, understand who are you talking to, what are the expectations and what is the end target.
• Building Your Value Proposition: Identify your unique selling points (USPs) and describe the problem and your solution.
• Crafting the Pitch Deck: What are the essential slides and content for bioeconomy pitches?
• Engaging Your Audience: How do you get your audience captured and how do you maintain attention?
• Rehearsing and Delivering Your Pitch: Tips for effective public speaking.
• Handling Questions: What are the most common questions & how does a good presenter handle tough questions?

Date / Timing:

22 May 2025, 14:00 – 15:30 CEST

Location / Venue:

ONLINE MEETING (link will be shared with registered participants)

Organiser, Disclaimer & Acknowledgments:  

This event is organised by BIO2CHP (Greece, https://www.bio2chp.com/). The event is supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members through the “Pilots4U powered by COPILOT” project.

!!!The complete webinar, except for the Q&A session, will be recorded and published in the “Training” section of the Pilots4U Platform!!!

Target audience:

Enablers and innovators in the space of bioeconomy.

Agenda:

• 14:00-14:05: Welcome and quick intro
  • Stefanos Tsiakmakis, BIO2CHP
• 14:05-14:15: Presentation of the PILOTS4U Platform & COPILOT Project
  • Yang Zou, Pilots4U Platform
• 14:15-14:30: Introduction to BIO2CHP / Bio–based Energy Technologies PC
  • Dimitris Mertzis, BIO2CHP
• 14:30-15:10: Pitching for Startups & Scaleups in the Bio-Economy Space
  • Stefanos Tsiakmakis, BIO2CHP
• 15:10-15:20: Q&A / Discussion
  • Stefanos Tsiakmakis, BIO2CHP
• 15:20-15:30: Summary & Closing
  • Stefanos Tsiakmakis, BIO2CHP

Registration:

Registration is free of charge, but MANDATORY.

You can register for this online workshop via the following link: https://forms.gle/kHhcKsTVjMnzGJDP8

Registration will remain open until May 20, 23:59 CEST.

More information:

Please, contact Stefanos Tsiakmakis. 

General framework:

Between May 2025 and May 2026, fifteen European Pilot and Demonstration Infrastructures (PDIs) will open their doors for a CoPilot study visit and scale-up workshop. These study visits and workshops will be open to any bioeconomy stakeholder and are part of the COPILOT/PILOTS4U “Scale-Up & Growth”

Aim of the study visit and workshop:

As part of the European COPILOT project, the Italian CDMO facility Biosphere is pleased to open the doors of its biotech Pilot and Demo Infrastructure for a one-day event focused on promoting biotechnology as a fundamental tool for developing the European bioeconomy.

The event aims to connect all relevant stakeholders in the bioeconomy network. Guests will be welcomed for a morning conference at the quiet and historically renovated University Residential Centre of Bertinoro (Ce.U.B.) fortress. The agenda includes a coffee break and a walking lunch, providing a unique opportunity to establish new connections with national and international players in the bioeconomy sectors, including food, cosmetics, agritech, household products, detergents, and innovative materials.

The day will continue with a study visit to Biosphere’s headquarters and pilot facility, located 10 km away. A shuttle bus service will be available to transport participants to the site of the visit, where guests will have the chance to explore how biotech ideas can be developed and scaled up to an industrially relevant level.

Date / Timing:

20 May 2025 from 9 am – 4 pm

Location / Venue:

Conference and Workshop: University Residential Centre of Bertinoro – Ce.U.B., Via Frangipane 6, Bertinoro (FC), Italy

Site Visit: Biosphere, Via dei Senoni, 12, 47122 Forlì (FC), Italy

Shuttle bus transfer from the conference location to Biosphere is included. At the end of the site visit, the shuttle bus will also be available from Biosphere to Forlì train station.

Travel Vouchers available via Open Call 3 for this visit? 

NO

Agenda:

9:00-9:30: Registrations of participants
9:30-9:45: Biosphere welcome message
9:45-10:00: Introduction to COPILOT project
10:00–10:10: Presentation of Pilot4U platform
10:10-10:40: Biosphere company profile and presentation
10:40-11:10: Coffee break & networking
11:10-12:00: Training session: Biotech success case studies  (INDUSTRY, COSMETIC, FOOD)
12:00–12:15: Closing remarks

12:15-13:15: Walking Lunch

Shuttle transfer to Biosphere Headquarters

14:00-16:00: Study Visit to Biosphere Headquarters and Pilot Facility

Target audience:

All bioeconomy stakeholders, where possible with a focus on BioInnovators (Technology Owners).

Registration: The Event is fully booked, registration is no longer possible!

The event is free of charge with a maximum attendance of two people per company/organization. Registration is mandatory.

More information &  Accommodation:

To complete your stay and fully enjoy the fascinating location hosting the event, we strongly recommend booking your overnight stay at the Bertinoro fortress Guesthouse.

The fortress, which was converted into the University Residential Centre (Ce.U.B.) of the University of Bologna twenty years ago, has set very high standards for international conferences, events, and meetings.  Within its historic walls, dating back to the 10th century, guests can experience the authentic Italian spirit of hospitality, combined with genuine Italian cuisine, all set against a scenic landscape.

Ce.U.B. offers accommodation in the main Bishop’s Fortress (16 single rooms, 5 double rooms) and in the former Seminary, now converted into a guest house (32 single rooms and 33 double rooms). All rooms are equipped with a private bathroom, Wi-Fi, phone, TV, and hairdryer. Continental breakfast is included.

You can book your stay at Ce.U.B. here:  https://www.ceub.it/events/event/copilot-project-study-visit-to-the-italian-pilot-facility-biosphere/

Contact:

Beatrice Mongili                                beatrice.mongili@biospheresrl.it

Federica Gasperoni                         federica.gasperoni@biospheresrl.it

Weblink: https://www.biospheresrl.com/

The COPILOT consortium organises a webinar to inform potential COPILOT “Open Call 3 – Part 1” applicants.

When? 

The one-hour webinar is scheduled for Tuesday 29 April 2025 at 2 pm CET.

Who?

Anyone considering to apply for a Travel Voucher through COPILOT Open Call 3 – Part 1

Agenda

2 – 2.05 pm          Introduction on Pilots4U powered by COPILOT
by Yang Zou, COPILOT Project Coordinator and Platform Manager

2.05 – 2.30 pm    Introduction to COPILOT Open Call 3 
by Stef Denayer, Pilots4U Stakeholder Relations Manager

2.30 – 2.40 pm     Application phase and important documents
by Nina Meglič, Circular economy Cluster manager at SGZ

2.40 pm                  Q&A

Registration

CLICK HERE to register for this webinar.

More information & Questions? 

Please, send an email to Yang Zou.

The European Pilot and Demonstration Infrastructure Fair.
Meet your scale-up partner and take your innovation to the market!

Co-organised by:

   

DOWNLOAD PRESENTATIONS:

• Presentation containing the slides of the 25 Pilot and Demo Infrastructures presenting at this very first PDI Fair.
• Presentation containing the slides with upcoming Pilots4U powered by CoPilot activities (incl. Open Call for Travel Vouchers to visit the PDI of your choice).

When?
4 April 2025 from 9.00am – 2pm (networking lunch included)

Where?
Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE-JU), Ground Floor, White Atrium, Avenue de la Toison d’Or 56-60, 1060 Brussels, Belgium. It will NOT be possible to attend this event online!

What? 
The rapid scaling of innovations within the bioeconomy will have a significant impact, helping to meet our ambitious sustainability goals. Europe is well-positioned in this regard, with “Pilots4U powered by Copilot” – a robust network of over 100 open-access, multipurpose pilot and demo facilities for the bioeconomy. These facilities can accelerate the transition from innovation to biomanufacturing, making it faster, more cost-effective, and more efficient.

Join us in Brussels on Friday, April 4th, right after the CBE JU Info Day for our European Pilot and Demonstration Infrastructure Fair jointly co-organised by “Pilots4U powered by Copilot” and Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking. It’s a great opportunity to meet the scale-up community, learn more about their capabilities, and find the perfect partner to help scale up your project.

Agenda:

09.00 am: Registration & Coffee

09.15 am: Welcome on behalf of Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU)
Nicoló Giacomuzzi-Moore, Executive Director

09.25 am: Welcome on behalf of “Pilots4U powered by Copilot”
Stef Denayer, Stakeholder Relations Manager

09.40 am: Pitch your Pilot and Demonstration Infrastructure
Each PDI has 3-minutes to quick-pitch their facility. 

1. 3R-BioPhosphate, Hungary
2. Acies Bio, Slovenia
3. AITIIP Technology Centre, Spain
4. Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant, Belgium
5. Biocon – KU Leuven, Belgium
6. BIOSPHERE, Italy
7. Bodec, Netherlands
8. Celabor, Belgium
9. CPI, UK
10. CRITT Bio-Industries, France
11. DTI – Danish Technological Institute, Danmark
12. EXTRACTIS, France
13. Food Pilot, Belgium
14. Fraunhofer CBP, Germany
15. IBERS – Aberystwyth University, UK
16. ICP – Pulp and Paper Institute, Slovenia
17. Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, Latvia
18. Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Germany
19. LIST, Luxembourg
20. METROSERT, Estonia
21. NIZO, Netherlands
22. NORCE, Norway
23. Politecnico di Torino, Italy
24. Process Technology Center (PTC) | FHNW, Switzerland
25. VEG’EXTRA, France
26. VTT, Finland
27. YDLabs, Isreal

11.00 am: Join the Pilots4U powered by COPILOT community and its activities
Yang Zou, Platform Manager Pilots4U powered by Copilot 

11.10 am: Opening of the Pilot and Demonstration Infrastructure Fair (Coffee is served!)
Nicoló Giacomuzzi-Moore & Stef Denayer              

11.15 am: Pilot and Demonstration Infrastructure Fair
Meet & greet, connect & matchmake with the members of the Pilots4U network at their allocated tabletops.   

12.30 am: Lunch is served in the exhibition area

01.00 pm: ShapingBio recommendations for derisking the scale-up of innovations with regional public support

02.00 pm: END of the event but START of many new collaborations growing the European bioeconomy.

Registration

Registration is free of charge but MANDATORY.
Please bring your registration confirmation email to access the event (check your SPAM folder!).

01.04.2025: REGISTRATION is CLOSED. Need more info? Contact Yang.Zou@bbeu.org. 

We invite all stakeholders (research and pilot infrastructure owners, companies, public funding authorities and beneficiaries, investors and cluster organisation)  with an interest in bioeconomy research and pilot infrastructures to participate in this “Pilots4U powered by CoPilot” Workshop. Our purpose is to present the CoPilot action plan for an integrated and efficient ecosystem for testing and upscaling bio-based processes and to collect feedback from stakeholders. 

Aim of the workshop:

• Present needs and means to stimulate the collaboration between RIs* and PDIs*. Present the outcome of the “Pilots4U powered by CoPilot” workshop “From lab to pilot: co-creating efficient RIs – PDIs collaboration” held on 31.1.2025. 

• Collect feedback on the “Pilots4U powered by CoPilot” platform tools to enhance collaboration. 

• Present and discuss the CoPilot action plan for an integrated and efficient ecosystem for testing and upscaling bio-based processes.​

*RIs = Research Infrastructures – **PDIs = Pilot and Demonstration Infrastructures

Target audience: 

• Bioeconomy RIs, PDIs, investors, companies, public funding authorities and beneficiaries​
• Workshop will be open to all interested stakeholders​

When: Wednesday 9 April 2025 from 2 – 4 pm CET
Where: Online meeting

Agenda:

• 14:00-14:05: Welcome and aims of the workshop​
  • By Mika Härkonen, VTT​
• 14:05 – 14:15: Introduction to the “Pilots4U powered by COPILOT” database, community and project
  • By Stef Denayer, Stakeholder Relations Manager of Pilots4U  ​
• 14:15 – 14:30: Needs and means to stimulate the collaboration between RIs and PDIs – SWOT analysis
  • By Giulia Longhi, SPRING Cluster​
• 14:30-15:00: “Pilots4U powered by COPILOT” platform tools to enhance collaboration
  • By US & Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant​
  • Feedback, discussion (ALL)​
• 15:00-15:45: COPILOT action plan for an integrated and efficient ecosystem for testing and upscaling of bio-based processes
  • By Emmi Nuutinen and Paulina Tukiainen, VTT​
  • Feedback on action plan, discussion (ALL) 
• 15:45-16:00: Summary and closing
  • By Mika Härkönen, VTT​

Registration:

Registration is free of charge, but MANDATORY.

You can register for this online workshop via the following link: https://www.lyyti.in/Pilots4U_Online_workshop.

 

​

The COPILOT consortium organises a webinar to inform potential COPILOT “Open Call 3 – Part 1” applicants.

When? 

The one-hour webinar is scheduled for Thursday 20 March 2025 at 11 am CET.

Who?

Anyone considering to apply for a Travel Voucher through COPILOT Open Call 3 – Part 1

Agenda

11 – 11.05 am          Introduction on Pilots4U powered by COPILOT
by Yang Zou, COPILOT Project Coordinator and Platform Manager

11.05 – 11.30 am    Introduction to COPILOT Open Call 3 
by Stef Denayer, Pilots4U Stakeholder Relations Manager

11.30 – 11.40 am     Application phase and important documents
by Nina Meglič, Circular economy Cluster manager at SGZ

11.40 am                  Q&A

Registration

CLICK HERE to register for this webinar.

More information & Questions? 

Please, send an email to Yang Zou.

This online workshop has the aim and is a unique opportunity to enhance collaboration between pilot/demo facilities on the one hand and research infrastructure networks on the other hand, as well as to influence means to improve and strengthen cooperation from lab to pilot, and to present your networks and initiatives, gaining visibility in our vibrant community.

The event aims at being a practical and interactive session to connect RIs and PDIs in our network, in line with the Project’s goals to enhance their collaboration.

These are the workshop details:

• Date: January, 31st, 2025

• Time: 2.00-4.00 pm CET

• Location: online – link to the event will be sent after registration closes.

Agenda:

2:00 – 2:20      Introduction to COPILOT and PDI/RI collaboration

2:20 – 2:30      Introduction to groups works

2:30 – 2:50      Breakout session #1: PDI/RI collaboration, a SWOT analysis

2:50 – 3:05      Presentation and discussion of the outcomes

3:05 – 3:35      Breakout session #2: How to cooperate? Let’s brainstorm!

3:35 – 3:50      Presentation and discussion of the outcomes

3:50 – 4:00     Wrap-up and conclusion

Registration for this workshop is “by invitation only” (limited to RI networks, PDIs and COPILOT partners).

List of invited infrastructures:

Research Infrastructures (RIs)

Benchtop bioreactor systems
BIOMAT OITB
CERIC ERIC
ECCSEL ERIC
ELIXIR Europe
EMBRC ERIC
Estonian Center of Analytical Chemistry
EU-OPENSCREEN
FlexFunction2Sustain (now ESNA)
IBISBA
INN-PRESSME OITB
MIRRI-ERIC
Munster Technological University (CircBio)
UCLouvain

Pilot and Demo Infrastructures (PDIs)
A4F
Acies Bio d.o.o.
ARD-CEBB
BEST
BIO2CHP
Biosphere
CPI
DTI (teknologisk)
FHNW
FOOD PILOT
FRAUNHOFER
IBIOIC
LIST
NIZO
RISE
TECNALIA
TNO
VTT (COPILOT Project Partner)
BBEPP (COPILOT Project Partner)

More information and application on/for the Open Calls.

This event is organised back-to-back with Pitch Perfect and Boost the EU Bioeconomy 2024. Therefore a shuttle bus will depart from Sheraton Brussels Airport at 8am sharp on Wednesday December 4th and will be back at Brussels Airport around 6 pm.

Venue: Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant, Rodenhuizekaai 1, 9042 Ghent, Belgium
Access: Open to All
Registration: Registration is mandatory and can be done by sending an email to Anneleen De Vriendt.

As part of its “Scale-up & Growth” Programme, “Pilots4U powered by COPILOT” organises a Scale-up Accelerator Workshop following the BBEPP Study Visit.

Programme:

11:30 am – 12:00 pm   USP and DSP challenges in scale-up
by Muriel Dewilde, Business Development Manager

12:00 – 12:30 pm         Scale-Up Accelerator Network (SAN)
by Esthèle Goure, Business Development & SAN Manager
by SAN Experts, tbd

12:30 – 12:55 pm          Engineering: Think about it early on!
by Iancu Avram, Project Manager

12:55 – 1:00 pm            Wrap-up and Closing

1:00 – 2:00 pm             Networking lunch

2:00 pm                           Departure shuttle bus for Brussels Airport

This event is organised back-to-back with Pitch Perfect and Boost the EU Bioeconomy 2024. Therefore a shuttle bus will depart from Sheraton Brussels Airport at 8am sharp on Wednesday December 4th and will be back at Brussels Airport around 3pm.

The COPILOT project is a CBE-JU CSA project that ill update, expand and make the database of Open Access Pilot and Demo Infrastructures for the European Bioeconomy future-proof and self sustainable through co-creation. Furthermore the project will grow, train and nurture the stakeholder communities linked to this database by means of the “Scale-up & Growth” and the “Exchange & Connect” Programmes.

Venue: Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant, Rodenhuizekaai 1, 9042 Ghent, Belgium
Access: Open to All
Registration: Registration is mandatory and can be done by sending an email to Anneleen De Vriendt.

Seeing is believing! Hop on the shuttle bus from Brussels Airport to the Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant (BBEPP) and discover what scale-up is and looks like!

Programme:

9:00 – 9:10 am          Welcome & coffee

9:10 – 9:30 am          Introduction to “Pilots4U powered by COPILOT”
                                         by Stef Denayer, Pilots4U Stakeholder Relations Manager 

9:30 – 10:10 am        Introduction to the Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant
                                         by Hendrik Waegeman, Head of Business Operations

10:10 – 10:40 am      Seeing is believing: Guided tour of the facilities

10:40 – 11:00 am      Q&A

This visit is part of the “Scale -up & Growth” programme offered by the “Pilots4U powered by COPILOT” project, it organised back-to-back with Pitch Perfect and Boost the EU Bioeconomy 2024. Therefore a shuttle bus will depart from Sheraton Brussels Airport at 8am sharp on Wednesday December 4th and will be back at Brussels Airport around 3pm.

The COPILOT project is a CBE-JU CSA project that ill update, expand and make the database of Open Access Pilot and Demo Infrastructures for the European Bioeconomy future-proof and self sustainable through co-creation. Furthermore the project will grow, train and nurture the stakeholder communities linked to this database by means of the “Scale-up & Growth” and the “Exchange & Connect” Programmes.

“Pilots4U powered by COPILOT” co-organises the Pitch Perfect and Boost the European Bioeconomy 2024 event.

The ‘Pitch Perfect and Boost the European Bioeconomy 2024’ event is a one or two-day event of intense cross-border and cross-sectoral pitching, matchmaking and networking, with the aim to link:

• Industry to innovative (biobased) technologies,
• Innovators to investors

and to create new partnerships for the future and the further development of innovative, cross-border and cross-sectoral industrial value chains in the biobased economy.

Although all Innovators are invited to apply for a 7-minute pitch slot, 15 slots have already been reserved for the COPILOT BioInnovator co-creation group selected through an Open Call procedure.

The session featuring pitches from Open Access Pilot and Demonstration Infrastructures has this year been reserved for the COPILOT co-creation group of Open Access Pilot and Demonstration Infrastructures (PDIs).

The COPILOT consortium will organise two webinars to inform potential applicants. These webinars will include a “live” Q&A opportunity. The webinars are scheduled for:

• Tuesday September 10th, 2024 at 11 am CET – REGISTER HERE
• Tuesday September 24th, 2024 at 11 am CET – REGISTER HERE

Need more information? Please, send an email to Yang Zou.

Preliminary programme:

11 – 11.05 am          Introduction on Pilots4U powered by COPILOT
by Yang Zou, COPILOT Project Coordinator and Platform Manager

11.05 – 11.30 am    Introduction to COPILOT Open Call 1 and Open call 2
by Stef Denayer, Pilots4U Stakeholder Relations Manager

11.30 – 11.40 am     Application phase and important documents
by Mateusz Kowacki, F6S

11.40 am                  Q&A