MTU extensive portfolio of research, innovation, talent and regional development has positioned the South-West as European hotspot for advancing smart climate solutions for the circular economy and has attracted the attention of a leading Italian Circular Bioeconomy Industry Cluster, SPRING, who travelled to meet with leading researchers, innovators and companies in Kerry.

The Circular Bioeconomy Cluster South-West at Munster Technological University partnered with the Irish Bioeconomy Foundation and the Italian based SPRING Cluster, to host a series of strategic networking knowledge exchange meetings and activities between the group of 35 Irish and Italian companies, researchers and students at the Tom Crean Business Innovation Centre in Tralee.

Expert speakers from the SPRING Industry Cluster and MTU based entities including CircBio Research Group, Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, Circular Bioeconomy Cluster South-West and Ireland’s Knowledge Centre on Climate, Communities and Carbon (IKC3) shared case studies of exemplar projects and companies in the region with key potential synergies and opportunities.

Topics of high interest were development of collaborative partnerships for talent development, industry driven R&D and commercial opportunities in the fields of renewable energy, renewable and bio-based polymers, bio-stimulants, fibres, chemicals, packaging, functional and active ingredients, and enzymes.

The Italian Cluster delegation also took part in site visits to two innovative companies from the region, BHSL and BioAtlantis. BHSL is part of the BHSL Holdings Group, an International Environmental Engineering Company focussed on Water Treatment Solutions and End to End 'Wet Waste' Treatment Systems recovering bio gasses, residual energy, and high value bio-actives and bio-fertiliser. BioAtlantis, produces sustainable technologies to enhance plant, animal and human health helping to reduce dependence on agrochemicals in crops and avoid the overuse of antibiotics in animals.

It is anticipated that this Knowledge Exchange event will help to strengthen networks between Italian and Irish industry clusters, spark development of new business and research partnerships leading to market development opportunities and company growth in the South-West region.

Helena McMahon, Director of Ireland’s Knowledge Centre on Carbon, Climate and Communities, Head of Department, STEM and Co-Director of CircBio Research Group

This visit of the Italian Cluster to MTU is EU level recognition of the highly innovative work that researchers, program managers and enterprise development team are delivering at MTU in advancing technologiy, product and service development, policy innovation, skills, talent and cluster development in the Circular Economy. This event is a great example of how we facilitate Irish and European knowledge exchange and partnership opportunities between clusters, corporations, enterprises and researchers to accelerate partnership development and internationalisation of companies in the circular economy. Ultimately our goal is to benefit and contribute to long-term sustainable development in the region and I look forward to hearing more about the partnerships that emerge from this event.