Launch of New Programme to Support Industry with Bioeconomy Innovation

A new programme Circular Bioeconomy Industry Innovation Sprint presents an opportunity for industry across the South-West region to engage with Master level students to solve challenges and accelerate solutions to support bioeconomy actions in their business.

The bioeconomy is critical to Ireland’s sustainability path. It encompasses the production and conversion of renewable biological resources such as crops, forests, fish, animals, and micro-organisms and waste stream residues, by-products or municipal solid waste into value-added products, such as food, feed, bio-based products and bioenergy. It is one of the largest sectors in Europe and driven by the transition to a low carbon economy will create 1 million extra high-quality jobs by 2030.

Through the delivery of a unique MSc Bioeconomy with Business course, an interdisciplinary team from MTU Kerry, UCD and Teagasc are preparing students for the workforce of the future. Students have gained a critical understanding of the concepts and frameworks of the bioeconomy from technological, environmental, social and business perspectives.

The Circular Bioeconomy Industry Innovation Sprint programme presents a pathway for employers to engage with talented Master level students and explore and progress bioeconomy goals through a challenged based research project over 12 weeks.

Dr Helena McMahon, Head of Department STEM & Co-Director MSc Bioeconomy with Business at Munster Technological University outlined “Advancing on circular bioeconomy opportunities requires specific bioeconomy knowledge and skills sets which companies frequently do not have in house and can find challenging to identify.

The Circular Bioeconomy Innovation Sprints will provide companies with an opportunity to engage with emerging bioeconomy talent and the Circular Bioeconomy Cluster South West to advance on new opportunities and ideas across with openness to the full spectrum of products, process and service innovations.”

Industry will benefit from the programme by understanding new commercial opportunities as they navigate the transition to low carbon pathway, bring a new skillset and fresh-thinking to their organisation and find solutions to ongoing bioeconomy challenges. In addition, industry partners will become members of Circular Bioeconomy Cluster South-West cluster network and have opportunities to participate in future projects.

Interested industry participants can learn more about the criteria and express their interest in participation by filling out a form by May 11th on this webpage https://cbcsw.ie/new-programme-circular-bioeconomy-industry-innovation-sprint/. The Circular Bioeconomy Industry Innovation Sprint is delivered by CircBio Research Group and Circular Bioeconomy