Shows
bioCircular LoopA Pitch Perfect Miniseries | #6 From barrel to butanol: making green chemicals with whiskey waste ft. Celtic RenewablesRecorded live at the Pitch Perfect Bioeconomy event in Brussels, this episode features Martin Tangney, Founder & CEO of Celtic Renewables, one of Europe’s most established bio-based scale-up stories.Celtic Renewables takes biological residues from the Scottish whisky industry and turns them into high-value, low-carbon chemicals like acetone and butanol, the essential building blocks used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food production, and everyday products.Less than 10% of what leaves a distillery becomes whisky. The rest? Untapped carbon.Celtic’s mission is simple: defossilize the chemical industry by squeezing more value out of w...
2026-02-1717 min
bioCircular LoopA Pitch Perfect Miniseries | #5 Blast furnaces & bacteria: scaling bio in heavy industry ft. ArcelorMittalRecorded live at the Pitch Perfect Bioeconomy event in Brussels, this episode features Kristof Verbeeck, Business Development at ArcelorMittal Belgium, on what it actually means for heavy industry to bet on bio-manufacturing.ArcelorMittal Ghent is a 5-million-ton steel plant and the largest industrial CO₂ emitter in Belgium. Eight years ago, they decided to do something radical: build Europe’s first large-scale gas fermentation plant inside a steel mill, turning waste carbon monoxide and hydrogen into ethanol. Meet Steelanol. On paper, it made perfect sense:Higher-value product instead of flaring gasesAvoided CO₂ e...
2026-02-1213 min
bioCircular LoopA Pitch Perfect Miniseries | #4 Paving the way to scale: the fungal future of roads ft. VisibuiltRecorded live at the Pitch Perfect Bioeconomy event in Brussels, this episode features Line Kloster Pedersen, Founder & CEO of Visibuilt, and one of the boldest ideas we’ve seen on the bio-based stage this year. Visibuilt is developing the world’s first fungal binders for road construction, replacing fossil-based bitumen and highly polluting cement with mycelium, nature’s own underground binding network.Yes, you read that right.They’ve already built the world’s first mycelium bicycle parking lot in Denmark.We talk about:Why asphalt and...
2026-02-1210 min
bioCircular LoopA Pitch Perfect Miniseries | #1 Lab to fab to geopolitics: Europe’s Bioeconomy at a crossroads ft. CBE-JURecorded live at Pitch Perfect Bioeconomy in Brussels, this episode features Nicolo Giacomuzzi-Moore, Executive Director of CBE JU, on Europe’s competitiveness in scaling bio-based innovation from lab to market Ten years ago, the bioeconomy was niche. Today, it’s backed by EU strategies, public-private partnerships, and large-scale demonstration funding. Europe has successfully helped companies overcome the first valley of death, moving from research to first industrial plants.But the real challenge remains: commercial scale.We unpack how Europe compares to the US and China, why access to capital is th...
2026-02-1217 min
bioCircular LoopA Pitch Perfect Miniseries | #2 Breaking Down the EU’s Bioeconomy Strategy: From Policy to Scale ft. EU CommissionRecorded live at Pitch Perfect Bioeconomy in Brussels (24–25 November 2025), this episode features Agata Kotkowska from the European Commission on the new EU Bioeconomy Strategy and what it really means for scaling bio-based innovation in Europe. The message is clear: Europe has the science, the infrastructure, and the know-how. What’s missing? Speed.With China, the US and India accelerating investments in bio-manufacturing, competitiveness is no longer abstract, it’s urgent. The new strategy focuses on:Scaling from lab to deploymentBuilding real lead markets (construction, biochemicals, textiles, biorefineries)Ensuring sustainable biomass useStre...
2026-02-1212 min
bioCircular LoopA Pitch Perfect Miniseries | #3 Bioreactors don't do beta versions and why tech VCs are out of their league with bio ft. Capricorn PartnersRecorded live at the Pitch Perfect Bioeconomy event in Brussels, this episode features Rob van der Meij, Partner at Capricorn Partners, on what it really takes to scale bio-based innovation.The key message? Scaling bio is not like scaling software.As an investor who has helped grow multiple tech-driven companies, Rob breaks down why process development is the most underestimated factor in bio-based scale-up. In digital, you can iterate fast. In bio-based manufacturing, scale-up is sequential, capital-intensive, and often more art than science.We dive into:Why process...
2026-02-1215 min
bioCircular Loop#20 No cows were harmed in the making of this episode ft. QoriumIn this episode of the BioCircular Loop podcast, host Melina Gerdts discusses the advancements in the European circular bioeconomy, focusing on cellular agriculture and lab-grown leather. She interviews Michael Newton, CEO of Qorium, a Dutch startup pioneering lab-grown leather production. They explore the differences between European and American entrepreneurship ecosystems, the innovative processes behind lab-grown leather, and the sustainability and ethical implications of this technology. In this conversation, Michael Newton discusses the challenges and innovations within the leather industry, particularly focusing on sustainability and efficiency. He shares insights on scaling operations at Qorium, the cultural differences between the US...
2025-11-1750 min
bioCircular Loop#19 Biorevolution for democratic resilience ft. IFIB2025 & Mario BonaccorsoIn this episode of the bioCircular Loop podcast, host Melina Gerdts recaps the 2025 edition of the International Forum for Industrial Biotechnology (IFIB) with Mario Bonacorso, the organizer and Director of the Italian SPRING cluster. They explore the topics discussed, highlighting the importance of circular bioeconomy in addressing global challenges such as climate change, waste management, and geopolitical dependence. The conversation emphasizes the need for collaboration, innovation, and effective communication to promote the bioeconomy as a viable solution for a sustainable future. This conversation delves into the pressing need for action in the bioeconomy sector, highlighting the importance of coherent...
2025-11-1056 min
bioCircular Loop#18 Chewy cheesy casein made with precision fermentation and the key to scaling this innovation ft. Standing OvationIn this episode of the bioCircular Loop podcast, Melina Gerdts discusses the challenges of sustainable protein production with Yvain Chardonnens, CEO of Standing Ovation. They explore the environmental impact of traditional dairy farming and the innovative process of producing casein through precision fermentation. The conversation highlights the founding story of Standing Ovation, the importance of casein in dairy products, and the company's mission to revolutionize the dairy industry with animal-free alternatives.https://standing-ovation.co/
2025-09-2940 min
bioCircular Loop#17 Making soil sexy again: food security, biodiversity & climate change depend on it ft. BetterSoilIn this episode of the bioCircular Loop podcast, host Melina Gerdts discusses the critical role of soil in climate change mitigation, biodiversity preservation, and global food security with Azadeh Farajpur, Founder of BetterSoil. They explore the importance of soil health, the alarming rate of soil loss, and the impact of unsustainable agricultural practices. Azadeh shares her personal connection to soil and provides insights into what constitutes healthy soil, the dangers of monoculture, and the implications for food security as the global population grows. The conversation highlights the urgent need for regenerative practices to ensure soil health and sustainability for...
2025-08-1846 min
bioCircular Loop#16 A pineapple powered revolution: rethinking leather and empowering farmers in the Philippines while doing so ft. Ananas AnamIn this episode of the Biocircular Loop podcast, Melina Gerdts interviews Dr. Carmen Hijosa, founder of Ananas Anam, about the innovative leather-substitute Pinatex, made from pineapple waste. They discuss the environmental impact of traditional leather production, the journey of creating a sustainable alternative, and the positive social impact on local communities in the Philippines. The conversation also covers market acceptance, challenges faced in the industry, and the vision for a sustainable future that heals the relationship between people and the planet.
2025-07-0746 min
bioCircular Loop#15 How to cross the biotech Valley of Death and manage the bumpy road to scaling bio-based innovations ft. Bio-Base Europe Pilot PlantIn this episode of the bioCircular Loop podcast, Melina Gerdts discusses the challenges biotech startups face in scaling their innovations from lab to industrial scale with Hendrik Waegeman, Head of Operations at the Bio-Base Europe Pilot Plant. They explore the high costs associated with scaling, the importance of collaboration and expertise, and the regulatory hurdles that can delay market entry. The conversation also highlights emerging trends in biobased applications, including alternative proteins, biopesticides, and food colorants. In this conversation, Hendrik Waegeman discusses the evolution of the bioeconomy, focusing on the transition to natural colorants, the complexities of biofuels, and...
2025-06-1652 min
bioCircular Loop#14 Building European resilience with bio-based innovation ft. Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC)This episode of the bioCircular Loop podcast provides an in-depth exploration of the circular bioeconomy in Europe, featuring insights from Marco Rupp, Deputy Executive Director of the Bio-Based Industry Consortium (BIC). The discussion covers the evolution of the bioeconomy over the past decade, the role of innovation and funding, and the strategic importance of bio-based industries in addressing sustainability and climate change. Key themes include the challenges of biomass availability, the need for market creation, and the future outlook for bio-based industries in Europe amidst global geopolitical changes and growing demand for critical raw materials.
2025-05-1943 min
bioCircular Loop#13 Fresh fruits and veggies with an invisible, edible protection ft. SaveggyIn this episode of the bioCircular Loop podcast, Melina Gerdts discusses the challenges of food packaging, particularly in preserving fruits and vegetables while reducing plastic waste. She interviews Arash Fayyazi, co-founder of Savage, a Swedish startup focused on innovative, plant-based packaging solutions. They explore the importance of sustainable food packaging, the technology behind Savagie's products, and the collaboration with industry partners to tackle food waste effectively. In this conversation, Arash discusses the innovative food packaging solutions developed by Savaggy, focusing on sustainability, consumer acceptance, and the challenges faced in product development and regulatory compliance. The dialogue highlights the importance...
2025-05-0941 min
bioCircular Loop#12 Is the future of chocolate cocoa free? ft. ForeverlandIn this episode of the bioCircular Loop podcast, we discuss the challenges facing the cocoa industry and the innovative solutions being developed to create sustainable chocolate alternatives. The conversation features Massimo Sabatini, CEO of Foreverland, who shares insights into the cocoa supply chain, the impact of climate change, and the development of a new cocoa-free chocolate alternative made from carob. The discussion highlights the importance of taste, sustainability, and the challenges of scaling production in the food tech industry. Massimo Sabatini discusses the innovative approach of Foreverland in creating an alternative to chocolate using carob, known as Choruba. He...
2025-04-1747 min
bioCircular Loop#11 Shaping a net-zero future for plastics and smelling like wood doing it ft. Lignin IndustriesThis episode of the bioCircular Loop podcast discusses the innovative use of lignin, a byproduct of wood processing, to create bioplastics. The conversation explores the environmental impact of traditional plastics, the potential of lignin in sustainable materials, and the business model of Lignin Industries, a Swedish startup focused on turning lignin into bioplastics. Fredrik Malmfors, CEO of Lignin Industries, shares insights on the company's journey, the importance of circular economy, and the challenges and opportunities in engaging with brand owners in the plastics industry. In this conversation, Fredrik Malmfors discusses the innovative solutions offered by Lignin Industries, focusing on...
2025-03-1946 min
bioCircular Loop#10 Making bio-based food packaging from tomato peels ft. TomapaintTommaso Barbieri shares the story of Tomapaint, a startup focused on creating bio-resins from byproducts and waste from the Italian tomato processing industry. He discusses the innovative technology behind their product, bio-based cutin, and its applications in various industries, including food packaging and cosmetics. The conversation also explores Tomapaint's integration within the Italian tomato industry, their partnerships, and the family dynamics of the founding team. Tommaso highlights the scalability of their process, funding strategies, market demand for sustainable solutions, and the impact of EU regulations on their business. He concludes with insights on future innovations and the environmental impact...
2025-03-0632 min
bioCircular Loop#9 Perfume made from recycled textiles, Fast Fashion and the EPR ft. Re-Fresh GlobalIn this episode of the BioCircular Loop podcast, Melina Gerdts interviews Viktoria Kanar, CEO of Refresh Global, a startup focused on innovative textile recycling. They discuss the challenges of textile waste management, the impact of fast fashion, and the upcoming EU Waste Framework Directive. Viktoria shares the founding story of Refresh Global, the technology behind their SmartUp system, and the potential applications of their recycled materials. The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration in achieving a circular economy and the need for regulatory changes to drive sustainable practices in the fashion industry.Useful links: - h...
2025-02-1047 min
bioCircular Loop#8 Recycling wild plastic and why scaling the circular economy is also a social mission ft. WILDPLASTICIn this episode of the bioCircular Loop podcast, Melina Gerdts discusses the pressing issue of plastic waste and recycling with Christian Sigmund, CEO of WildPlastic. They explore the current state of plastic recycling, the system innovation approach WildPlastic is taking to collect and repurpose plastic waste found in the environment around the world, and the importance of changing consumer perception. The conversation also delves into the social impact of their work, the challenges of scaling their operations, and the future of sustainable plastic solutions.Only 9% of plastic is recycled globally, highlighting the urgent need for better...
2024-12-0444 min
bioCircular Loop#7 How AI can secure biomass supply and power bioCircular business models ft. VCG.aiIn this episode of the bioCircular Loop podcast, Melina Gerdts discusses waste valorization and the role of artificial intelligence in enhancing these processes with John Goriup, CEO of VCG.AI. They explore how AI can optimize waste management, predict waste flows, and create sustainable business models. The conversation delves into the challenges of scaling waste valorization, the importance of data-driven approaches, and the various industries that can benefit from these innovations. In this conversation, Jon from VCG.AI discusses the transition to sustainable industries, focusing on biomass availability in Europe, the role of AI in the bio circular economy...
2024-11-0545 min
bioCircular Loop#6 Reducing our dependency on soy imports with Finnish fungi and measuring sustainability impact ft. EniferIn this episode, the bioCircular Loop podcast discusses fungi-based alternative proteins and the use of innovative raw material sources to soy. The guest, Simo Ellilä, CEO and co-founder of Enifer, a biotech startup in Finland, shares insights on their process of fermenting side streams to produce sustainable protein ingredients. The conversation covers the benefits of plant-based proteins, the environmental and ethical concerns of animal agriculture, and the challenges of soy dependency in Europe. They also discuss Enifer’s journey of scaling production, their target markets, and the advantages of their mycoproteins compared to soy or meat-based proteins. Enifer is a c...
2024-09-2345 min
bioCircular Loop#5 Turning CO2 into plastics with algae and why you need partnerships to drive change ft. Photanol & Renolit HealthcareEpisode #5 explores the chemicals and plastics value chains and a technology that uses CO2 as a renewable resource for circular chemicals production. A key discussion topic is the importance of partnerships in driving circular transformations and the need for collaboration across value chains. The conversation delves into the technology developed by Photanol, a Dutch startup, which uses CO2, sunlight, water, and bacteria to convert carbon into renewable chemicals. Renolit and Photanol are partnering to develop a technology that converts CO2 into renewable chemicals for plastics and other products. The collaboration aims to transition the chemical industry away from fossil...
2024-07-1554 min
bioCircular Loop#4 Bioengineering enzymes to revolutionize polyester recycling ft. CarbiosCarbios is a French biotech company that has developed enzymatic processes to recycle plastic, particularly PET. They have engineered enzymes specifically for PET and other types of plastic, allowing them to break down the polymers into monomers that can be used to produce new high-quality plastics. They have built a bio-recycling plant in France that can process 50,000 tons of waste per year. Their business model is based on licensing their technology to make it accessible in many countries. Their customers come from various industries, including cosmetics, food and beverage packaging, automotive and textiles. Carbios technology enables the recycling of...
2024-07-0151 min
bioCircular Loop#3 How potato peels can combat supply volatilities of oleochemicals ft. ChainCraftChaincraft is a Dutch startup that manufactures fatty acids from local food waste, specifically pre-consumer plant-based organic residues. They use a two-step fermentation process to convert food waste into medium chain fatty acids, which is more sustainable with a lower carbon footprint than traditional palm oil-based fatty acids. The company currently operates a demo plant in Amsterdam and is planning to build a larger flagship factory in the Netherlands. Their products have a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to industry standards and offer a stable and local supply of sustainable chemicals. Chaincraft's customers include the animal nutrition industry, fragrance...
2024-06-1734 min
bioCircular Loop#2 Are fish farms the new phosphate mines? ft. Ragn-SellsEpisode #2 explores the importance of nutrient recovery, specifically the recovery of phosphorus, from wastewater and waste sludge. The depletion of phosphorus reserves and the overuse of fertilizers have led to environmental pollution like eutrophication and biodiversity loss. Rag'n'Sells, a recycling company, has diversified to become a future material producer, focusing on phosphorus recovery. Their technology, called Ash2Phos, extracts phosphorus and other valuable materials from sewage sludge and other waste streams. Pär Larshans, Chief Sustainability Officer at Rag'n'Sells shares insights into the Havbruk project, where waste from Norwegian fish farms is turned into biogas and nutrients are recovered. T...
2024-05-2740 min
bioCircular Loop#1 Circular Bioeconomy 101 ft. European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF)The first episode of the bioCircular Loop podcast introduces the concept of circular bioeconomy and its importance in addressing global challenges. The circular bioeconomy involves shifting towards a more sustainable and resource-efficient economy, where externalities like pollution become the responsibility of companies. It aims to create value from waste and challenges the linear value chains that dominate the current system. The podcast explores the people, companies, organizations, technologies, and countries driving this transformation. The European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF) is highlighted as the first venture capital fund dedicated to investing in bio-based and circular startups. The conversation explores the...
2024-05-131h 02
bioCircular LoopIntroduction to bioCircular LoopThe Biocircular Loop podcast aims to educate and inform listeners about the circular bioeconomy in Europe. It highlights the innovations and businesses driving the growth of a circular economy powered by renewable biomass and recycled materials. The podcast explores the goal of moving away from linear systems and towards a circular system that considers the whole life cycle of a product. The host, Melina Gerdts, is a market researcher and strategy consultant who works with companies developing circular innovations. The podcast aims to educate, inform, and inspire listeners to rethink their own work and business models.
2024-05-0705 min
It's a Material World | Materials Science Podcast59: Engineering Copper to Fight Infectious Diseases (ft. Melina Gerdts)CuConcepts has developed a highly-efficient, nature-based antimicrobial additive that can be integrated into plastics processing, textiles, paints, and coatings, which we’re excited to dive into.
Check out our MSE Company Database and free professional development guide for materials scientists and engineers!
In today’s episode, Melina Gerdts, CEO and co-owner of CuConcepts, shares her knowledge about how her biotech company is battling the threat of infectious diseases, especially those transmitted via contaminated surfaces.
In this conversation, we discuss:
🔹️ The limitations of antibiotics and the conse...
2022-05-1640 min