“Pilots4U powered by COPILOT” EVENTS
COPILOT will organise many events in the framework of its “Scale-up & Growth” and “Exchange & Connect” programmes. Find below an overview of future and past events.
Aim of the webinar:
Info in due time.
Date / Timing:
3:30 Welcome and overview agenda by Kevin van Koerten
3:35 Introduction Pilots4U platform by Yang Zou
3:45 Introduction NIZO
3:50 process and microbial modelling, including food safety quality aspects of food processing and upscaling
4:20 Questions
4:30 Close-out
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:
Please, contact: Kevin van Koerten at kevin.vankoerten@nizo.com
Aim of the webinar:
This webinar will provide an overview of intellectual property (IP) rights in the bioeconomy, highlighting their value and potential for business, as well as the associated requirements and legal implications.
Date / Timing:
26 February 2026, 14:00 – 15:30
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:
4:00 – 14:10
Presentation of the PILOTS4U Platform & COPILOT Project
Dr. Yang ZOU
Pilots4U Platform Manager
14:10 – 15:20
Intellectual Property and Patents for Bioeconomy Start-Ups
Dr. Irene MANFREDI
ADV IP Srl – Italian and European Patent Attorney
Topics:
- From IDEAS to INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPRs)
- INVENTION PATENTS and other IPRs in the BIOECONOMY field
- Patenting PROCEDURES
- Exploitation of IPRs: assessing VALUE and managing RISKS
- Discussion/Questions
15:20 – 15:30
Q&A Session
Registration:
More information:
Please, contact: more info in due time
Aim of the webinar:
In this webinar, BEST GmbH will introduce its GreenCarbon Lab testing facility and the key capabilities it offers for developing and validating biomass conversion routes. The session will then move into a deep dive on pyrolysis, with a focus on pyrolysis liquids—their characteristics, value, and the most promising application pathways for industry.
Date / Timing:
5 March 2026, 1:30 – 3:00 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
- 13:30-13:35: Welcome
- 13:35-13:45: Introduction about the COPILOT project
- 13:45-14:05: Introduction about BEST GmbH and the GreenCarbon Lab (Manuel Schwabl)
- 14:05-14:20: Condensation of Liquids During Pyrolysis: experiences and troubleshooting at the GreenCarbon Lab (Konstantin Moser)
- 14:20-14:35: Utilization pathways of pyrolysis oils (Manuel Schwabl / Irene Sedlmayer)
- 14:35-15:00: Q&A session, open discussion
Registration:
More information:
Please, contact: Elisa Carlon at elisa.carlon@best-research.eu
Aim of the webinar:
Bringing innovative food and feed products to market requires careful attention to regulatory approval. Beyond general food law, certain products fall under additional regulations, such as under Novel Food Regulation. Understanding which regulations apply and defining the necessary risk analyses is complex. Moreover, the approach to building a regulatory approval dossier and integrating it into your R&D trajectory should be considered from the very outset. Food Pilot helps companies navigate this challenge by combining pilot trials, laboratory analyses, and expert guidance, including support in identifying which regulations apply to their products.
Date / Timing:
12 March 2026, 13:00 – 14:10
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:
| 13:00 | Introducing Pilots4U platform |
| 13:05 | Introducing Food Pilot reserach capabilities |
| 13:15 | KEYNOTE: Integrating regulatory approval requirements into your R&D trajectory for food, feed and pet food: Identifying applicable regulations and requirements |
| 14:00 – 14:15 | TESTIMONIAL: Company The Protein Brewery |
Registration:
More information:
Please, contact: Karen Verstraete at karen.verstraete@ilvo.vlaanderen.be
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:
12 March 2026 from 9 am – 4:30 pm
Location / Venue:
ARD
Route de Bazancourt,
51100 Pomacle
France
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 and Coffee |
| 9.30 – 9.45 | Welcome by ARD (salle Pasteur, Pilote Factory) |
| 9.45 – 10.00 | Introduction to Pilots4U powered by COPILOT |
| 10.00 – 11.15 | Presentation of the Pomacle Biorefinery platform and ARD activities |
| 11.15 – 12.00 | Pilote Factory visit (3 Groups) |
| 12.00 – 13.00 | Lunch onsite |
| 13.00 – 13.15 | Transfer to Main site |
| 13.15 – 15.00 | Labs, Pilot & Demo Tour (3 Groups) |
| 15.00 – 15.30
15.30 – 16.00 16.00 – 16.30 |
Case study on a typical scale up journey @ARD
Questions & Answers Coffee and transfer to Pilote Factory. |
Registration:
Please note that this visit is limited to 40 visitors.
More information:
Accommodations : Magali Baron, Management Assistant (magali.baron@a-r-d.fr)
Other : Guillaume Lamy, Commercial Director (Guillaume.Lamy@a-r-d.fr)
Weblink: https://www.a-r-d.fr/
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:
18 March 2026
Location / Venue:
DTI
Gregersensvej 1
2630 Taastrup
Denmark
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:
Scale-up workshop, facility tour.
More information in due time.
Registration:
More information:
Please, contact: Eduards Krebss-Kleingezinds, ekk@teknologisk.dk
Weblink: https://www.dti.dk/https://www.dti.dk/
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.
The VTT workshop/scale up seminar will be organized as part of the ChemBio event. Participation to Chembio is free, but registration is required and can be done using the following link: https://visit.messukeskus.com/registration/Registration/Login?id=642-26130-2267
Scale-Up & Growth Seminar organized by IBC Finland, in collaboration with Pilots4U powered by COPILOT: Biotechnology Scale-Up and Process Development: Creating value from air, side streams, and biomass in the circular, electrified bioeconomy
Date / Timing: 16 April 2026 from 1 – 3 pm
Location / Venue: Messukeskus, Sali 1, Helsinki, Finland
Agenda:
13:00–13:05 — Opening Remarks
13:05–13:30 — Keynote: Accelerating scale-up of process technologies with open access pilot facilities, Mika Härkönen, VTT
13:30-13:45 — Pilots4U powered by COPILOT – next generation platform of bioeconomy pilot and demo infrastructures, Pauliina Tukiainen, VTT
13:45–14:55 — Scale-up success stories by IBC Finland members
- Scaling Precision Fermentation from Lab to Industrial Reality – Arni Kujala, Onego Bio
- From Waste to Value – Lari Vähäsalo, CH-Bioforce
- A New Wave in Wastewater Treatment: The Scale-Up Story of KemAlpha – Oskari Larkimo, Kemira
- Process Development and Scale-Up at AB Enzymes – Bas Romein, AB Enzymes
- Food Protein Production from Electricity and CO2 – Juha-Pekka Pitkänen, Solar Foods
14:55–15:00 — Open Q&A
Visit to VTT Bioruukki Pilot Centre, (including bus transportation back and forth Messukeskus)
Date / Timing: 16 April 2026 from 3.15 – 5.30 pm
Location / Venue: VTT Bioruukki, Ruukinmestarintie 2, 02330 ESPOO, Finland
Bioruukki is one of Europe’s largest open access pilot facilities for new bio-based products and circular economy solutions, with a unique combination of pilot-scale process development units and R&D services. Welcome to discover what scale-up is and looks like. This visit is part of the “Scale -up & Growth” programme offered by the “Pilots4U powered by COPILOT” project, it organised back-to-back with ChemBio. Therefore a shuttle bus will depart from Messukeskus at 15:15 sharp on April 16th and will be back at Messukeskus around 17:30.
Registration:
Registration is mandatory. There is limited amount of places available. Please register by 31.3.2025. Link to the registration https://www.lyyti.in/study_Visit_Bioruukki
More information:
Please, contact: Pauliina Tukiainen, pauliina.tukiainen@vtt.fi
The COPILOT project is a CBE-JU CSA project that will 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.
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:
23 April 2026 from 10:30 am – 4 pm
Location / Venue:
CPI
The Wilton Centre
Wilton, Lazenby
Redcar TS104RF
England
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:
| 1030 – 1100 | Arrival & Networking | |
| 1100 – 1200 | Welcome & Introduction to CPI | Kris Wadrop — Managing Director, Materials |
| Introduction to the Pilot4U platform | Mika Härkönen, VTT | |
| Plan for the day | Alex Smith — Director of Biotechnology | |
| Talk 1 – Scaling for Success | Reza Ranjbar — Head of Technology Strategy, Biotechnology | |
| Talk 2 – Unlocking the Upstream | Jo Neary — Manager – Fermentation | |
| Talk 3 – DSP – the key to everything | Steve Wright — Head of DSP, Biotechnology | |
| Talk 4 — Process Engineering – understanding economics | Michael Hughes — Head of Process Engineering, Biotechnology | |
| Talk 5 – Key considerations in Biomanufacturing | Ros Hay — Head of Biomanufacturing | |
| 1200 – 1330 | Networking Lunch | Groups 1 & 2 |
| 1200 – 1330 | Tours | Groups 3 & 4 |
| 1330 – 1500 | Networking Lunch | Groups 3 & 4 |
| 1330 – 1500 | Tours | Groups 1 & 2 |
| 1500 – 1600 | Close & Networking | All |
Registration:
More information:
Please, contact: Judith Huggan, judith.huggan@uk-cpi.com
Weblink: https://www.uk-cpi.com/
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” Programme.
The FHNW School of Life Sciences is organising a Study Visit and Scale-Up Workshop at FHNW Campus Muttenz (Switzerland) on February 4, 2026. The event is supported by the “PILOTS4U – powered by COPILOT” initiative, as part of its “Scale-up & Growth” and “Exchange & Connect” programmes.
Date / Timing:
4 February 2026, 9:00 – 16:00
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:
| 9.00 – 9.30 | Registration and Coffee |
| 9.30 – 9.45 | Welcome |
| 9.45 – 10.00 | Introduction to Pilots4U powered by COPILOT |
| 10.00 – 11.00 | The FHNW School of Life Sciences and its applied R&D activities |
| 11.00 – 12.30 | Scale-up session Group A // Lab tour Group B |
| 12.30 -13.30 | Lunch and Company/Project Presentation |
| 13.30 – 15.00 | Scale-up session Group B // Lab tour Group A |
| 15.00 – 15.15 | Wrap up |
| 15.15 – 16.00 | Coffee |
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:
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
More info in due time. No travel vouchers available for this event.
More information in due time. for now, keep an eye on: https://www.pitchperfectbioeconomy.eu/
No travel vouchers available for this event.
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.
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
Objectives of the Online Session
- Understand what makes a bioeconomy scale-up plan attractive to investors
- Learn how to present your roadmap clearly, realistically and convincingly
- Discover success stories and learn what worked
- Gain practical tools to prepare for investor matchmaking with confidence
This webinar is organised as a satellite event of and in collaboration with the Pitch Perfect and Boost the European Bioeconomy 2025 event.
Date / Timing:
4 November 2025, 4 – 5 pm CET
Agenda:
4:00 – 4:05 | Welcome & Framing the Session
by the Irish Bioeconomy Foundation
Why investability matters and how to make the most of upcoming investor introductions.
4:05 – 4:20 | What Investors Look For in Scale-Up Projects
Speaker by Irish Bioeconomy Foundation
- Key expectations in financial and technical plans
- Red flags and how to avoid them
- What gets attention (and what doesn’t)
4:20 – 4:35 | The Perfect Pitch: Convincing Investors to Back Your Innovation
[Speaker TBD]
- What investors really want to hear
- Structuring a compelling pitch deck
- Dos and don’ts during your investor presentation
4:35 – 4:50 | Success Cases: What Made the Difference
[Speaker TBD]
- Stories from successful innovators
- What convinced investors
- Key takeaways you can apply
4:50 – 5:00 | Q&A and Final Tips Before Matchmaking
[Speaker TBD]
- Your checklist before meeting investors
- Final recommendations for pitching with confidence
🔗 Register:
- Go to www.pitchperfectbioeconomy.eu and register, you can confirm your participation by ticking the corresponding box on the registration form.
- You do not wish to attend the Pitch Perfect and Boost the EU Bioeconomy event, but would like to attend the webinar? Please, send an email to Yang.Zou@bbeu.org.
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:
13h00 – Meet up and visit to A4F Microalgae Testbed in Lisbon (Portugal)
14h00 – Bus travel to A4F facility in Póvoa de Santa Iria.
14h30 – Arrival to A4F facility in Póvoa de Santa Iria and Coffee Break.
15h00 – Training session on “Scaling Your Production – From Lab to Full-Scale Industrial Production” (lecture)
16h00 – Visit to Algatec Eco Business Park
17h30 – End of visit.
Registration:
CLICK HERE to REGISTER for this Study Visit.
More information:
Please, contact: Carlos Silva, carlos.silva@algafuel.pt
Weblink: https://a4f.pt/en
Scaling up from lab to industrial production is one of the most challenging steps in process development. Equipment at industrial scale often behaves very differently to laboratory systems, with fluid dynamics and other factors changing dramatically. These shifts can create uncertainty and add significant risk when designing your first full-scale plant.
In this webinar, CPI’s experts will share how modelling and simulation can accelerate process development and provide insights into the different strategies required for scale-up versus full production.
What you’ll learn:
- How to strengthen manufacturing processes with modelling and simulation.
- The differences between scaling up a process and optimising for production.
- Real-world examples of successful projects using these techniques.
- Typical costs and timelines associated with deploying modelling and simulation in process development.
Join us to discover how simulation-led approaches can save time, reduce risk, and enable confident process scale-up.
Date / Timing:
15 October 2025, 3 – 4 pm CET
Agenda: (times in CET)
3:00 – 3:10pm – Welcome and introduction to CPI – Stephen Oyston, Business Development Director, Biotechnology
3:10 – 3:15 pm – Welcome and introduction to the Pilots4U Platform & COPILOT Project – COPILOT coordinator
3:15 – 3:35 pm – Modelling & Simulation for Process Scale-Up – Alex Smith, Director, Biotechnology
3:35 – 3:55 pm – Process Scale-Up vs Production – Reza Ranjbar, Head of Technology Strategy, Biotechnology
3:55 – 4:00 pm – Q&A, wrap-up
🔗 Register: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
More Info: Judith.Huggan(at)uk-cpi.com
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:
09.30 – Registration and welcome coffee
10.00 – Lab visit tour
11.00 – Presentation of the COPILOT project / the PILOTS4U Platform
11.15 – Training session of plant cell suspension
12.15 – Walking lunch and networking.
14.00 – End
Registration:
Interested? Register for this event using the following registration link: https://www.list.lu/en/event/copilotpilots4u-141025/
More information:
Please, contact: Jenny Renault, jenny.renaut@list.lu
Weblink: https://www.list.lu/
Info in due time.
Date / Timing:
1 October 2025, timing tbc
Location / Venue:
ONLINE
Organiser:
ARD, France in collaboration with “Pilots4U powered by CoPilot”.
https://www.a-r-d.fr/en-gb/biotechnologies
Target audience:
All bioeconomy stakeholders, where possible with a focus on BioInnovators (Technology Owners).
Agenda:
Title: Scaling up improvement, environmental integration processes and waste characterization
More information in due time.
Registration:
More information in due time
More information:
Please, contact: more info in due time.
Aim of the webinar:
To provide participants with an overview on possible scaling (biorefining, fermentation and down-stream options), as required for testing, developing and validation processing before going to industrial scale.
An introduction to Biosolutions Technology Center at Danish Technological Institute in the greater Copenhagen area.
Date / Timing:
25 September 2025, 10:00 – 11:15
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
- Welcome and intro (10:00 – 10:05)
- Angelica Tamayo Tenorio, DTI
- Presentation of the PILOTS4U Platform & COPILOT Project (10:05 – 10:15)
- Yang Zou, Pilots4U Platform
- Introduction of the DTI Biosolutions Technology Center pilot facility (10:15 – 10:25)
- Angelica Tamayo Tenorio, DTI Idea and the concept
- Virtual walking tour through the facilities (10:25 – 10:40)
- Eduards Kleingezinds, DTI
- Challenges, Tips, and tricks when scaling (10:40 – 10:50)
- Eduards Kleingezinds, DTI
- How to engage with DTI: case study (10:50 – 11:00)
- Eduards Kleingezinds, DTI
- Closing remarks and Q&A (11:00 – 11:15)
- Angelica Tamayo Tenorio, DTI
Registration:
More information:
Please, contact: Eduards Krebss-Kleingezinds (ekk@teknologisk.dk)
The COPILOT consortium organises a webinar to inform potential COPILOT “Open Call 3 – Part 2” and “Open Call 3 – Pitch Perfect” applicants.
When?
The one-hour webinar is scheduled for Wednesday 24 September 2025 at 11 am CET.
Who?
Anyone considering to apply for a Travel Voucher through COPILOT Open Call 3 – Part 2 or COPILOT Open Call 3 – Pitch Perfect
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.
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
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/
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:
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”
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.
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.
- 3R-BioPhosphate, Hungary
- Acies Bio, Slovenia
- AITIIP Technology Centre, Spain
- Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant, Belgium
- Biocon – KU Leuven, Belgium
- BIOSPHERE, Italy
- Bodec, Netherlands
- Celabor, Belgium
- CPI, UK
- CRITT Bio-Industries, France
- DTI – Danish Technological Institute, Danmark
- EXTRACTIS, France
- Food Pilot, Belgium
- Fraunhofer CBP, Germany
- IBERS – Aberystwyth University, UK
- ICP – Pulp and Paper Institute, Slovenia
- Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, Latvia
- Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Germany
- LIST, Luxembourg
- METROSERT, Estonia
- NIZO, Netherlands
- NORCE, Norway
- Politecnico di Torino, Italy
- Process Technology Center (PTC) | FHNW, Switzerland
- VEG’EXTRA, France
- VTT, Finland
- 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)
Venue: Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant, Rodenhuizekaai 1, 9042 Ghent, Belgium
Access: By invitation only
Mandatory workshop for the 10 Pilot and Demonstration Infrastructures selected through an Open Call launched by the “Pilots4U powered by COPILOT” project Mid August 2024.
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: By invitation only
Mandatory workshop for the 15 BioInnovators selected through an Open Call launched by the “Pilots4U powered by COPILOT” project Mid August 2024.
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.
Venue: Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant, Rodenhuizekaai 1, 9042 Ghent, Belgium
Access: By invitation only
Venue: Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant, Rodenhuizekaai 1, 9042 Ghent, Belgium
Access: By invitation only
Mandatory workshop for the 10 Pilot and Demonstration Infrastructures and the 15 BioInnovators selected through an Open Call launched by the “Pilots4U powered by COPILOT” Mid August 2024.
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.
“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
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

Search the Pilots4U DATABASE
Find the open access pilot or demo facility that meets your scale-up needs.
Budget
€ 1,499,576.5
Duration
June 2024 – November 2026
Contact person
Yang Zou
Website
http://www.copilot-project.eu/
Tags
ongoing projects, policy project, SME support, HEurope – CBE JU – CSA, Coordinator, HEurope – CBE JU, database and network
