SURFs UP 12-Month Meeting Held
December 11th in Tallinn, Estonia
The SURFs UP project reached a significant milestone as project partners gathered for the 12-month consortium meeting in Tallinn, Estonia.
The meeting, hosted by Fibenol, provided an opportunity for partners to review the progress made over the past year, exchange insights, and define the next steps towards achieving the project's objectives. A key focus was on advancing the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) production of second-generation biosurfactants, which are derived from biobased raw materials such as hardwood sugars, lignin from wood processing residues, and waste from regional food processing.
A highlight of the event was an exclusive tour of the Fibenol Plant in Imavere, Estonia, where partners had the chance to observe cutting-edge biorefinery technologies in action. This visit reinforced the project’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and collaboration in the development of cost-effective, high-performance biosurfactants.
Looking ahead, the SURFs UP project will continue working on:
• Characterizing biosurfactants and assessing their compliance with the SSbD framework
• Conducting ecotoxicity testing to evaluate environmental impact
• Engaging stakeholders through consumer surveys, including input from managers, policymakers, and the public
• Preparing for the establishment of the SURFs UP DEMO Plant, a key step toward industrial-scale microbial biosurfactant production
Coordinated by Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant (Belgium), the project brings together 12 partners from 8 European countries, including SMEs, industries, research institutes, and universities: Fibenol, Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant, AmphiStar, DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum, IST-ID, Faculté des Sciences Appliquées - ULiège, Ajinomoto Co., Inc., ecover + method | Europe, Consorzio Italbiotec, Leitat Technological Center, and VTT.
The SURFs UP consortium remains dedicated to shaping the future of sustainable biosurfactants. Stay tuned for further updates as the project moves forward!
