Bioeconomy Systems



research

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Integrating circular design, renewable energy, and digital tools to build a carbon-neutral bioeconomy.


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decrease in food waste by 2030



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recycling rate of plastics by 2030




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Key Challenges



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Researchers




Our Mission


Designing a Truly Circular Bioeconomy


At BiOrbic, we’re developing systems that make the bioeconomy sustainable, efficient and data-driven. This pillar focuses on redesigning how biological resources are produced and used, ensuring materials, energy and information flow
responsibly through every part of the system.

By creating circular, low-carbon processes, we aim to build bio-based industries that are regenerative and help Ireland move toward a carbon-neutral future.




Research Programmes


What Research is BiOrbic Doing?


The Bioeconomy Systems pillar focuses on three major challenges: Circular Bioeconomy Design, Powering the Bioeconomy, and Digitalising the Bioeconomy. Together, these areas provide a roadmap for a low-waste, carbon-neutral future.



Circular Bioeconomy Design

Digitalising the Bioeconomy

Powering the Bioeconomy




bioeconomy systems


Circular Bioeconomy Design


This challenge brings circular thinking into practice. Researchers are combining advances in farming, waste, and materials to reduce resource pressure and support sustainable food and material systems.


key research areas



Apply circular economy principles in real-world systems



Reduce land and resource use through process optimisation



Develop indicators to measure circularity and sustainability



active Projects


ABSOLUTE

Analysis of Biofilm-Solid Interactions Underpinning Wastewater Treatment
Staff
Eoin Casey
Funded by
European Research Council
Research Area
Circular Bioeconomy Design
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AMADEUS

Accelerating biofilm Matrix dispersion with Deep Eutectic Solvents
Staff
Eoin Casey
Funded by
European Research Council
Research Area
Circular Bioeconomy Design
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BIO-2-PRINT

From waste to worth: Building a value chain for underutilized natural fibres as feedstock in 3D printing
Staff
Helena McMahon
Funded by
Interreg
Research Area
Circular Bioeconomy Design
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Enrich Environmental: Microalgae For The Valorisation Of Nutrient-Rich Wastewater From Compost Manufacturing

How to create a circular system in the agricultural sector and how to maximise productivity from terrestrial agriculture systems. This project aims to develop a scalable microalgae biotechnology solution for the valorisation of compost manufacture wastewater (or leachate or runoff) from Enrich Environmental primary production site at Kilcock, Ireland.
Primary Investigator
Ronald Halim
Staff
Felix Joel Brooke (PhD), Mengsong Xiao (RA), Prafulla Sabbanwar (RA), Yuchen Li (PhD)
Funded by
Industry

Optimising AD with pig-derived feedstocks at lab-scale

Targeting both energy and Algae. Subsequent translation to farm scale at Lyons.
Primary Investigator
Dr. Ajay Menon and Prof. Jim Lyng
Staff
Bhargav Sai Chandar Neela (PhD)
Funded by
Research Ireland

Optimising Algae production with feedstock from AD at lab-scale

Optimization of large-scale cultivation of microalgae on Anaerobic Digestate to minimise or eliminate soybean from the pig diet in order to reduce the pressure on land resources used for soybean production allowing for soil regeneration, while strenghtening the sustainability and commercial viability of Anaerobic Digestion
Primary Investigator
Dr. Ronald Halim
Staff
PhD - check Master tracker for current
Funded by
Research Ireland

Rural BioReFarmeries

Green BioReFarmeries - Small-scale Circular Green Biorefineries for increasing farmer sustainability and competitiveness and building resilient rural areas
Staff
James Gaffey, Kevin O'Connor, Ramesh Babu, Vincent O'Flaherty
Funded by
Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking
Research Area
Circular Bioeconomy Design Climate Neutral Animal Agriculture Food Waste
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SusAlgaeFuel

Exploring the synergies between direct carbon-capture, nutrient recovery and next-generation purification technologies for cost-competitive and sustainable microalgal aviation fuel
Staff
Ronald Halim, Eoin Syron
Funded by
Horizon Europe
Research Area
Circular Bioeconomy Design Climate Neutral Marine Powering the Bioeconomy
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TenConnecT

Innovative ways to maximize the intra-regional benefits of TEN-T corridors
Staff
Francesco Pilla
Funded by
Interreg
Research Area
Circular Bioeconomy Design Education and Public Engagement
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bioeconomy systems


Digitalising the Bioeconomy


This challenge uses digital tools to make the bioeconomy smarter and more transparent. Real-time data supports better decisions, tracks emissions and connects every part of the value chain.


key research areas



Develop real-time life cycle assessment (LCA) tools



Use blockchain for traceability and data governance



Enable predictive and data-driven resource management



active Projects


Apply sensor-based monitoring and control systems to assess key performance indicator analytes within full scale Anaerobic Digestors

To run bioprocesses efficiently, we need real-time monitoring of substance levels. Currently, many bioprocesses lack affordable, accurate tools, leading to inefficiency. A new biosensor system is being developed with affordable sensors to detect specific substances, allowing real-time monitoring of multiple substances at once.
Primary Investigator
Dr. Joe Sweeney and Dr. Cormac Murphy
Staff
Ibrahim Waziri Zubairu (PhD)
Funded by
Research Ireland

Biochains Atlantic

Optimizing the Algal Biomass Value Chains for Sustainable Economic Growth in the Atlantic Area
Staff
Helena McMahon and Danial Riordan
Funded by
Interreg
Research Area
Climate Neutral Marine Digitalising the Bioeconomy
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BLUEPRINT

Building Living Urban Ecosystems through Participatory Renovation and Innovation Tools
Staff
Francesco Pilla
Funded by
Horizon Europe
Research Area
Digitalising the Bioeconomy Education and Public Engagement
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Develop data governance and decision support systems to enable multi-actor decision making in multi-domain bioeconomy context (Blockchain)

Many bioprocesses struggle due to the lack of affordable, accurate, and fast monitoring tools. To address this, we are developing a biosensor platform with cost-effective sensors for real-time monitoring of multiple substances, along with machine learning models to improve the understanding and control of bioprocesses.
Primary Investigator
Dr. Fatameh Golpayegani and Dr. Joe Sweeney
Staff
Dorsa Samiee (PhD)
Funded by
Research Ireland

Plastox

Plastox: Machine Learning Combined with Spectral Imaging for Inferring the Toxicity of Micro- and Nanoplastics
Staff
Junli (Lily) Xu
Funded by
European Research Council
Research Area
Digitalising the Bioeconomy Plastic
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bioeconomy systems


Powering the Bioeconomy


Energy drives every stage of the bioeconomy. This challenge ensures that bio-based systems use renewable, carbon-neutral power and that energy is managed efficiently across all sectors.


key research areas



Create fossil-free energy systems for the bioeconomy



Integrate renewable energy forecasting and flexible technologies



Develop carbon-negative fuels and energy recovery methods



active Projects


BLADE2CIRC

Bio-based composites for improving the wind energy sector’s sustainability
Staff
Maurice Collins
Funded by
Horizon Europe
Research Area
Climate Neutral Forestry Powering the Bioeconomy
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Increasing value of energy recovered from the bioeconomy (algae); Closing the energy and material loops in dairy industry via hybrid ABE fermentation and microalgae technology

Develop an efficient process train to maximise the value of recovered energy (fermentation and 3rd Generation Biofuel) via integrated analysis of the fermentation and Algal bioprocesses. Investigate the development of a combined acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation and microalgae treatment for the valorisation of cheese whey and dairy process side streams into biobutanol (as building block to commodity and industrial products) and biomass that can be transformed into bioenergy for the circular bioeconomy
Primary Investigator
Dr. Recep Khan Derell and Dr. Ronald Halim
Staff
Michael Hananta Utomo (PhD)
Funded by
Research Ireland

Investigating the Potential of Biohydrogen in Ireland’s Future Energy System

To identify an eco-friendly and cost competitive biohydrogen production routes and check its feasibility within Ireland’s energy landscape
Primary Investigator
Dr. Eoin Syron
Staff
Ammar Sohail (PhD)
Funded by
Research Ireland

NPower

Balancing Nitrogen and Phosphorous flOWs by budgeEting at Regional scale
Staff
Eoin Syron, James Gaffey
Funded by
Horizon Europe
Research Area
Powering the Bioeconomy
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Powering the Bioeconomy with Carbon Neutral Energy; incl Subsidies and regulation for sustainable biofuel

Develop assessment methods, operational strategies along with economic and policy levers to promote the use of fossil free energy in BioEconomy. Can the bioeconomy achieve independence from the fossil economy?
Primary Investigator
Eoin Syron, Lisa Ryan
Staff
Lia Freitas (PhD)
Funded by
Research Ireland

Real time LCA/Industry 4.0 and renewable energy forecasting to reduce carbon emissions; increase responsiveness of processing

Develop a digital twin of a generic bio-economy industrial process to incorporate renewable energy forecasting and adjust operational scheduling to maximise renewable energy utilisation.
Primary Investigator
Dr. Eoin Syron and Dr. Fionnuala Murphy
Staff
Busayo Daniel Ogungbemi (PhD)
Funded by
Research Ireland

SusAlgaeFuel

Exploring the synergies between direct carbon-capture, nutrient recovery and next-generation purification technologies for cost-competitive and sustainable microalgal aviation fuel
Staff
Ronald Halim, Eoin Syron
Funded by
Horizon Europe
Research Area
Circular Bioeconomy Design Climate Neutral Marine Powering the Bioeconomy
Visit website




impact


Why This Research Matters


The bioeconomy is central to a sustainable future. Through renewable energy, circular design and digital innovation, BiOrbic research helps reduce emissions, minimise waste and regenerate natural systems.




Cut Waste and Emissions


Transform industries to reduce greenhouse gases and material loss.




Design for Circularity


Reuse materials, energy and data across systems.




Power Sustainably


Run the bioeconomy on renewable, carbon-neutral energy.




Harness Digital Innovation


Use data and technology to boost efficiency and transparency.




Strategic Alignment


Aligned with Key EU Targets


This pillar supports Ireland’s transition to a circular, low-emission economy in line with major EU objectives.



European Green Deal


  • Food waste – 50% decrease in retail & consumer food waste by 2030


  • Carbon-neutral energy – Create pathways for renewable and low-carbon energy production within the bioeconomy.



EU Circular Economy Action Plan


  • Plastic waste –55% recycling rate of plastics by 2030


  • Circular design – Embed circularity at every stage of production to reduce dependence on virgin materials and fossil inputs.


  • Digitalisation – Apply data and digital tools to improve efficiency, traceability and resource management.



EU Bioeconomy Strategy


  • Circular systems – Develop bio-based industries designed for circularity rather than linear production.


  • Carbon-neutral pathways – Support renewable energy and sustainable production to meet EU climate goals.