Final Conference at Ecomondo 2026: From Bioremediation Technologies to Environmental Restoration
How can biological innovation help restore contaminated soils and waters? And how can we assess whether remediation efforts deliver lasting environmental benefits? These questions will take centre stage at the final conference of the European NYMPHE project, taking place on 6 November 2026 at Ecomondo in Rimini, Italy.
The event, Innovative Approaches for the Bioremediation and Revitalization of Contaminated Sites: The NYMPHE Project Contribution from Technology Development to Site Restoration Assessment, will bring together experts working on biological remediation, environmental assessment and the revitalisation of contaminated sites. The conference will present the project's innovative technologies, practical applications and assessment tools, offering an overview of the work carried out throughout the project.
EVENT DEATAILS:
📅 6 November 2026
🕙 10:00–13:00
📌 Rimini Expo Centre, Italy
AGENDA:
Session Chairs
Giulio Zanaroli, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Italy
Agnieszka Sznyk, INNOWO – Institute of Innovation and Responsible Development, Poland
Program
10:00 Welcome and introduction by the Session Chairs
10:10 Introduction to the Nymphe project
Giulio Zanaroli, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna
10:25 Laboratory evolution of microbiomes for the efficient biodegradation of multiple emerging micropollutants
Marcel Suleiman, University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland
10:40 Innovative tools for microbe improvement and microbiome management unlock efficient bioremediation
Manuel Ferrer, CSIC
10:55 Bioremediation of agricultural soils: microbially-enhanced Ecopiles for (micro)plastics and pesticides degradation
Evi Syranidou, CHQ Technologies PC
11:10 Phyto-rhizoremediation of PHC-contaminated soils: a pilot study exploiting plant-microbe associations to tackle soil phytotoxicity
Hana Horvatova, CENVIS – Centre of Environmental Services s.r.o.
11:25 Harnessing in-situ hyporheic flow and bioaugmentation for the biodegradation of trace organic compounds in surface water and groundwater protection
Marcus Horn, Leibniz University Hannover
11:40 Opinion poll on Nymphe’s bioremediation and revitalization solutions
11:45 Integration of chemical, ecotox and microbiome functions/biodiversity indicators for conclusive environmental quality and risk assessment of treated matrices: the Nymphe Innovative Integrated Evaluation Tool
Robin Kyclt, ABITEC s.r.o.
12:00 Ecological assessment in site bioremediation/revitalization: adaptation and application of the Natura 2000 framework
Florin Alexandru, ADEMED
12:15 Societal assessment of innovative, biotech-based bioremediation solutions
Patrick Rudelsheim, Perseus BV
12:30 Opinion poll on Nymphe’s bioremediation and revitalization assessment tools
12:35 Open discussion
13:00 End of the event
Harnessing biological systems to tackle complex pollution
Contamination of soil and water remains a significant environmental challenge. Plastics, pesticides, petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents and emerging micropollutants can threaten ecosystems, affect soil quality and compromise water resources. Addressing these pollutants requires solutions that are effective while also considering environmental safety, long-term sustainability and the specific characteristics of each contaminated site.
The NYMPHE project has been developing innovative bioremediation and revitalisation strategies based on combinations of microorganisms, enzymes, plants and animals. By using predictive models of microbial interactions and advanced biological tools, the project aims to develop systems tailored to the pollutants and environmental conditions found at individual sites.
One of NYMPHE's ambitions is to achieve at least 90% pollutant removal, while supporting the recovery of treated sites towards ecological conditions aligned with the objectives of the Natura 2000 framework.
At the final conference, project partners will explain how these approaches have been developed and tested, from improving the performance of microorganisms and managing microbiomes to applying biological solutions in contaminated soils and aquatic environments.
From laboratory research to real-world applications
The first part of the programme will focus on the technologies and biological processes underpinning NYMPHE's remediation strategies.
Following an introduction to the project by Giulio Zanaroli from the University of Bologna, speakers will explore how laboratory evolution can improve microbiomes for the biodegradation of multiple emerging micropollutants.
Further presentations will examine innovative tools for microbial improvement and microbiome management, highlighting how these approaches can support more efficient bioremediation.
The programme will also showcase applications targeting specific environmental challenges:
Agricultural soils: microbially enhanced ecopiles designed to support the degradation of (micro)plastics and pesticides.
Petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soils: phyto-rhizoremediation approaches that use interactions between plants and microorganisms to address soil contamination and phytotoxicity.
Surface water and groundwater protection: the use of in-situ hyporheic flow and bioaugmentation to support the biodegradation of trace organic compounds.
Together, these presentations will demonstrate the range of biological approaches being explored within NYMPHE and the importance of adapting remediation strategies to the characteristics of each site.
Beyond pollutant removal: assessing environmental recovery
Successful remediation involves more than reducing contaminant concentrations. It is also necessary to understand the environmental risks associated with treated materials, evaluate their ecological quality and consider the wider implications of applying innovative biotechnology-based solutions.
The second part of the conference will therefore focus on NYMPHE's assessment tools and methodologies.
Robin Kyclt from ABITEC will present the project's Innovative Integrated Evaluation Tool, which brings together chemical and ecotoxicological analyses with microbiome functions and biodiversity indicators. This integrated approach supports a more comprehensive evaluation of environmental quality and the risks associated with treated matrices.
The programme will also explore how the Natura 2000 framework can be adapted and applied to assess ecological recovery following bioremediation and revitalisation.
Florin Alexandru from ADEMED will discuss this ecological assessment perspective, while Patrick Rudelsheim from Perseus will address the societal assessment of innovative biotechnology-based remediation solutions.
These contributions will highlight an essential aspect of environmental innovation: understanding not only whether a technology works, but also how its environmental performance, safety and broader impacts can be evaluated.
An opportunity to exchange perspectives
The conference will include two opinion polls, inviting participants to share their views on NYMPHE's bioremediation and revitalisation solutions and on the project's assessment tools. An open discussion will provide further opportunities to exchange perspectives, reflect on the project's results and consider the challenges involved in applying innovative remediation approaches.
This interactive format will connect scientific and technological developments with the practical questions faced by researchers, environmental professionals, industry representatives and other stakeholders involved in contaminated site management.
Join us at Ecomondo 2026
The NYMPHE final conference will take place on 6 November 2026, from 10:00 to 13:00, at the Rimini Expo Centre, Italy, as part of Ecomondo 2026.
The session will be chaired by Giulio Zanaroli of the University of Bologna and Agnieszka Sznyk of INNOWO – Institute of Innovation and Responsible Development.
Join us to discover the approaches developed by NYMPHE, learn how biological remediation technologies can be assessed, and explore the role of innovative solutions in the restoration of contaminated soils and waters.
Explore the full agenda and event details: Innovative approaches for the bioremediation and revitalization of contaminated sites: the Nymphe project contribution from technology development to site restoration assessment
Learn more about the NYMPHE project, its partners and its work on bioremediation and environmental revitalisation!
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