Category: <span>Working Groups</span>

Bioenergy and bioeconomy network synergies – IEA Report

An IEA Inter-Task report on Synergies for bioenergy supply chain in Bioeconomy networks describes efforts to expand the current linear value chain perspective into a broader network-based view of bioenergy and bioeconomy systems. The report introduces a framework to help identify and leverage synergies between bioenergy supply chains, biobased materials …

Frozen fun – with interesting lipids

A recent paper looks at the revival rates for microorganisms found in ancient permafrost cores from the Permafrost Research Tunnel near Fairbanks, Alaska. The researchers compared microbial growth rates, marker gene sequences and greenhouse gas (CO2, CH4) emissions across cores held anaerobically at ambient (−4°C) and elevated (4°C, 12°C) temperatures. …

Official launch of TERC Better Water for All Network+

The Better Water for All Network+, led by Dr Bing Guo of the University of Surrey, was successfully launched on 3 Oct 2025 in an event that brought stakeholders together to discuss how we can achieve a sustainable water future and tackle the challenges of chemical and biological micropollutants. The …

Task 37 Webinar on Biogas systems and Sustainability available now

IEA Bioenergy Task 37’s webinar on The Role of Biogas Systems in Building a Sustainable Society is now available to view for those who missed the live event. The webinar included an introduction to Task 37 by the Task Lead Dr Bernhard Drosg, followed by technical presentations: Sustainability effects associated …

New BES Webinar available – and don’t forget the next one!

The most recent webinar in our current BES series, from 8 Sept 2025, is now available HERE on EBNet’s YouTube channel. The topic was Interfacial Bioelectrochemistry  –  Enzymatic NO and CO₂ Reduction and H₂ Evolution. Our speaker was Dr Cristina M Cordas, from the NOVA School of Science and Technology …

Tannery wastes – AD or AF?

A recent review paper looks at the application of anaerobic digestion (AD) for treatment of tannery wastes – including waste generated in leather production, and sludges from the treatment of tannery effluents. Leather production has historically been a notoriously polluting process, and despite technology improvements it continues to produce a …

New tools for complex microbiomes

A new paper looks at innovative tools in chemical biology, and the power of combining these with multi-omics approaches to provide detailed insights into the behaviour of complex microbiomes. Highlighted techniques include bio-orthogonal non-canonical amino acid tagging (BONCAT), stable isotope probing (SIP), and Raman-activated cell sorting (RACS). These non-destructive tools …

WasteEng 26 – call for abstracts opens

Abstracts deadline: 3 Oct 2025 Conference: 7-10 July 2026, A Coruña, Spain The call for abstracts is now open for WasteEng 2026, the 11th International Conference on Engineering for Waste and Biomass Valorisation. The event covers thermal, chemical and biological processes.  Conference topics include several that are especially relevant to …

Water treatment sludges – UKWIR study: but could we go further?

Earlier this year UKWIR published a study entitled Circular Economy – Water Treatment Sludges, which aimed to assess the current uses and marketplace for water sludges. The work forms part of UKWIR’s Big Question 11  –  how do we embed and maximise a sustainable circular economy within the water sector …

Wastewater surveillance – special RSC issue and new book chapter

The Royal Society of Chemistry’s journal Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology has a new themed issue on wastewater surveillance. The issue opens with an editorial entitled Wastewater surveillance for public health: Quo Vadis? It includes articles on integration of point-of-care diagnostics in SARS-CoV-2 wastewater-based epidemiology, use of wastewater surveillance …

Joint call to promote nutrients in the EU Circular Economy Act

The European Sustainable Phosphorus Platform (ESPP) is inviting organisations to sign a letter calling for ambitious targets for nutrients in the EU’s Circular Economy Act. Sustainable nutrient supply and management is a critical issue for many regions, with several countries including the UK currently reviewing associated regulations: any further developments …

PFAS: EBNet update and other statements – inviting your input

Earlier this year EBNet’s PFAS WG presented a Position Statement identifying knowledge gaps and the need for development of cost-effective approaches able to degrade PFAS. Since then the WG has: run a successful international workshop co-sponsored by EBNet and the Environmental Biotechnology Innovation Centre (EBIC) – see video playlist presented …

Organic Waste Feedstocks for Bioenergy and Biorefinery production

Two recent reports by IEA Bioenergy’s Task 43 add to the literature on assessing and tracking the availability of biomass feedstocks for production of bioenergy, biofuels and bioproducts. The Review of feedstock supply for bioenergy in selected IEA Bioenergy member countries aims to define and inform a structured framework for …