Thematic Workshops
The aim of this task is to provide a mechanism for bringing stakeholders together to force a coherent strategy for the promotion of bio-based products in Europe . Four thematic workshops will be carried out in the frame of this project. The aim of the workshops is four-fold:
- selling to the farmer , by promoting the potential of non-food cropping systems in rural areas with respect to the alternative land use, biodiversity, ‘green' economy, alternative farming income, CAP reform, sustainable agriculture, etc
- selling to the industry, by promoting the potential of bio-based products, with respect to industrial needs, ‘green' industry, composting potentials, biorefinery approach, etc
- selling to the consumer, by promoting the potential of bio-based products to the consumer as regards acceptance, eco-products, climate protection, better living conditions, etc
- selling to the policy maker, to facilitate and speed up regulatory issues and approvals.
The 1st Thematic Workshop of the project entitled “Can the fibre crops offer a viable alternative land use option and could they support a competitive industry?” was organised by INF and CRES, the 18 th November 2009, in Poznan , Poland . In the workshop INF and other invited stakeholders working on the field of fibre crops presented their expertise on this topic and participated in a round-table, where the restricting factors limiting broader use of fibre crops were analysed and research gaps and recommendations were drafted. This workshop was carried out in conjunction with the 4F Crops workshop.
The 2nd Thematic Workshop of the project entitled “Carbohydrate crops and the dilemma of using them for non-food purposes” will be organised by HEMPFLAX and CRES in March 2010, in the Netherlands . In this one day workshop, the production line of HEMPFLAX will be presented in a one day study tour in HEMPFLAX premises. Invited stakeholders working in the field of growing carbohydrate crops or producing bio-products from these crops will be invited to present their expertise and participate in a round-table.
The 3rd Thematic Workshop entitled “Can the oil crops be considered the only industrial crops that have a clear niche market in EU27?” will be organished by ITERG and CRES, in September 2010, in Bordeaux, France. In the workshop the whole market for the oil crops in Europe , which is mainly based on the biodiesel production will be presented in detail. It should be pointed out that almost 90% of the biofuels' production in Europe is referring to biodiesel that is mainly produced from rapeseed. Apart from ITERG, other companies working on biofuels from oil crops in Europe will be invited to present their cases. After the workshop a visit in ITERG premises will take place.
The 4th Thematic Workshop entitled “Niche markets for speciality industrial crops” will be organished by CHIMAR and CRES, in March 2011, in Thessaloniki , Greece . In the workshop the whole market for the specialty industrial crops in Europe will be discussed in detail. In addition, the production line of CHIMAR will be presented in a one day study tour in CHIMAR premises.
The 5th Thematic Workshop entitled “Non-food crops for a European bio-based industry and sustainable agriculture” will be organished by KEFI and CRES, in Februarly 2012, in Bologna , Italy . In the workshop KEFI will present in detail all the steps they had to take in order to produce insulation mats from kenaf fibres and what other industrial materials could be made in order to exploit the whole multifunctional crop, providing thus localised raw materials for rural communities, additional income to farmers and turning the cultivation of this crop cost benefit. Other invited stakeholders working on the field of fibre crops will present their expertise. After the workshop the participants will have the chance to visit the KEFI premises (Guastella, close to Bologna ) and to see the separation line of the kenaf fibres as well as the whole procedure to produce insulation mats from kenaf fibres.
In this workshop that will be held together with the last project meeting at the official closure of the project, the final outcome of the project as well as key presentations relevant with the objective of the workshop will be also presented.
