12 April 2025—The Agriloop project has successfully concluded its Annual Meeting in Chengdu, China, bringing together 35 partners from across Europe and China for three days of strategic planning and technical collaboration. The meeting marked a significant step in the project’s development, transitioning from foundational research to practical implementation.
Breaking the ice
Following preparatory sessions including an Executive Committee meeting and a Young Researchers’ workshop, the first day opened with a series of strategic presentations. Mauro Majone from the University of Rome addressed current EU bioplastics policies and development trends, while Professor Weng Yunxuan from Beijing Technology and Business University presented on China’s degradable plastic industry status. These presentations provided essential context for aligning the project’s technical work with real-world market and regulatory conditions in both regions.
The day concluded with a lively ice-breaking session designed to help European and Chinese participants get to know each other beyond their professional roles. The activities encouraged a sense of fun and camaraderie, which was central to breaking down barriers and building the personal connections needed for a successful partnership.
Focus on collaboration
The day two meetings focused on core technical achievements through collaboration sessions. The morning began with internal meetings for each of the work packages, allowing teams to discuss progress, next steps and challenges before tackling cross-functional challenges.
The afternoon’s joint sessions created a dynamic forum for collaboration between the work packages. Teams focused on collecting technical data and building expert consensus focused on finding solutions, from scaling up lab research into pilot production to developing a “cascading approach” that maximizes the value of every part of the agricultural materials. This direct collaboration ensured that new strategies and breakthroughs were shared across the entire consortium, strengthening the project’s overall approach.
A roadmap for the future
Saturday’s closing sessions pulled together the week’s progress and established clear next steps. The General Assembly addressed topics like innovation and communication strategies, highlighting the project’s focus on getting its findings out to the public and the market. Work package leaders presented the key scientific and technical challenges they need to overcome, reinforcing the consortium’s collaborative, problem-solving spirit. The final wrap-up session set the scene for Agriloop’s continued development, providing participants with a clear roadmap for the months ahead.
Building momentum
The Chengdu meeting successfully achieved its dual objectives of advancing cross-work package collaboration and deepening EU-China partnerships. The combination of high-level strategic discussions, intensive technical workshops, and deliberate relationship-building activities has positioned the consortium for accelerated progress as we move into the second half of the project.
The three-day event demonstrates how international scientific partnerships can overcome logistical and cultural barriers through careful planning and genuine commitment to collaboration. With stronger working relationships and clear technical pathways established, the Agriloop consortium is well-positioned to deliver innovative solutions for transforming agricultural waste into valuable bioproducts.
