What’s next for bioremediation in Europe? Insights from the ALL4BIOREM Cluster Workshop at EBC-IX

The recent EU Bioremediation Cluster Workshop, held during the EBC-IX Conference, brought together leading voices from the ALL4BIOREM cluster to explore the future of microbiome-based environmental restoration.

The session opened with a strategic overview of EU funding and policy priorities in bioremediation, presented by Elisabetta Balzi from the European Commission’s DG Research and Innovation.

Each cluster project then delivered a fast-paced flash presentation, offering a snapshot of their goals, innovations, and real-world applications - from soil and water remediation to circular bioeconomy solutions.

The workshop concluded with two expert panel discussions, moderated by Prof. Fabio Fava (University of Bologna) and Prof. Philippe Corvini (FHNW). These sessions offered complementary insights - from breakthrough technologies and cross-sector collaboration, to policy integration, scale-up challenges, and long-term strategic vision for the EU.

Bioremediation, Microbiomes and the Bioeconomy: Key Takeaways from ALL4BIOREM Panel Discussions

Moderators: 

• Fabio Fava, University of Bologna

• Philippe Corvini, FHNW

Speakers:

• Michel Chalot, UMLP EDAPHOS project  and IASIS project  

• Giulio Zanaroli, Univ. of Bologna - NYMPHE project  

• Lila Otero, from IDENER.AI, BIOSYSMO project 

• Jessica Beyert, Sensatec GmbH, MIBIREM

• Akanksha Mishra, IDENER R&D, pHYBi project 

• Jofre Herrero, EURECAT, LIFE MySoil project 

• Leire Ruiz-Rubio, Univ. of Basque Country, SYMBIOREM project 

• Jose Carlos Castilla Alcantara (ICCRAM University of Burgos), BIOREM project

🔹Panel 1: Microbiomes & Bioremediation — New Directions, Challenges and Policy Relevance

Moderator: Fabio Fava, University of Bologna

This first session focused on scientific and technical developments, highlighting how microbiomes are at the core of modern environmental bioremediation strategies.

Topics covered:

• Leveraging the potential of microbiomes for environmental bioremediation 

• Latest developments in environmental bioremediation technologies 

• How bioremediation of soils can contribute to enhance the competitiveness of bio-based industries and ensure the responsible use of critical raw materials

• Exploiting the multifaceted potentials for valorisation of byproducts generated through environmental bioremediation

Key insights:

• Microbiomes at the Core

  Microorganisms play a pivotal role in sustainable remediation due to their adaptability, metabolic versatility, and capacity to form complex communities.

• Scaling from Lab to Field

  Bridging the gap between laboratory success and field-scale deployment remains challenging. Greater collaboration across disciplines and robust field trials are essential to maximize impact.

• Industry Engagement is Key

  Businesses need to be involved in validating and adopting new technologies. Their participation is vital for real-world application and scale-up.

• Synergy of Technologies

  Integrated approaches combining biological, chemical, and physical methods often yield the most effective outcomes for complex pollution scenarios.

• Microbiome Modeling

  The development of microbiome modeling and predictive tools is revolutionizing how we understand, optimize, and scale microbiome-based solutions.

• Data Sharing & Standardisation

  Harmonizing data formats and platforms enables wider reuse, facilitates AI-driven analysis, and enhances cooperation across projects.

• Microbe Delivery to Soil

  Effective delivery systems, such as microbial encapsulation, are essential to ensure persistence, colonization, and activity in the field.

• Empowering End-Users

  Education and engagement of farmers, industry and public authorities are key. Without user uptake, even the most innovative solutions risk remaining unused.

• Policy Dialogue with the EU

  The European Commission is open to input from projects working at the innovation frontier. Sharing insights through position papers can influence future strategies, especially in the context of the Bioeconomy and “One Health”.

• Bioremediation & Bioeconomy Synergies

  Bioremediation has growing potential to support bio-based industries. For instance, by using industrial by-products or biopolymers as microbial feedstocks – turning waste into resources.

Key reflections:

• Microbial applications on contaminated or marginal land can boost biomass production – but must be matched with robust tracking of pollutants like heavy metals.

• Valorizing biomass from phytoremediation depends on safe processing of contaminated residues and favorable cost-benefit ratios.

• Bioremediation can supply raw materials to the bioeconomy, while bio-based industries can reciprocate by contributing secondary materials for remediation.

• Clean soil and water hold measurable economic value, and treated land has real reuse potential often overlooked in economic assessments.

• Some companies are already integrating food industry by-products into microbial remediation - a promising example of circular innovation.

• Projects like PhyBi show potential in converting contaminated biomass into bio-based products, though more innovation is needed in post-remediation valorization and public communication.

• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) remains critical - transporting biomass over long distances can undermine sustainability goals.

• The Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) approach should be applied from early technology development.

• Advances in secondary resource use (e.g., hemp, cellulose) are enabling closed-loop models between bioremediation and production.

• Stronger collaboration between academia and industry will be key to maximizing the potential of remediation by-products.

🔹 Panel 2: Shaping the Future of Bioremediation Research in Europe

Moderator: Philippe Corvini, FHNW

The second session expanded the discussion by reflecting on the future direction of the ALL4BIOREM cluster and its role in shaping EU research and innovation agendas.

Topics covered:

• How can the ALL4BIOREM cluster contribute to define future research & innovation priorities in the EU 

• How could the cluster enlarge its target audience and scope, to also cover other dimensions of environmental bioremediation – e.g. the oceans  

• How can we ensure a stronger link of environmental bioremediation to human health / one health and ecosystem restoration 

• Going forward, how could ALL4BIOREM use available EU funding options to extend its aactivities beyond research & innovation 

 

Key highlights:

• Broadening Horizons: From Soil to Sea

Participants discussed how to extend ALL4BIOREM’s scope beyond terrestrial bioremediation to include marine environments. Many acknowledged the lag in marine remediation technologies and supported closer engagement with ocean-focused projects.

• Cross-Disciplinary and Cross-Project Collaboration

A strong message emerged about breaking down silos: collaboration across soil, water, and marine disciplines is essential, particularly given the shared nature of contaminants like pharmaceuticals and hydrocarbons.

• Knowledge Sharing & Standardization

Better mechanisms for data reuse, tool adaptation, and methodological standardization – especially in alignment with EU Soil Mission criteria – were identified as key enablers for impactful research.

• Toward Institutionalization

Speakers proposed formalizing the cluster’s structure into a network or association. This could streamline activities, enhance visibility and allow the cluster to better coordinate joint applications and share deliverables.

• Sustainable Funding & New Instruments

Ongoing success depends on securing long-term financial support. Funding tools such as CSA (Coordination and Support Actions) or COST Actions were flagged as opportunities to expand beyond research and into demonstration or capacity-building initiatives.

• Engaging Stakeholders & Youth

There was a call for wider stakeholder engagement, including young scientists, national administrations and private-sector actors. Their participation is essential to ensure technologies are relevant, scalable and used.

• Position Papers & EU Integration

Cluster members developed a position paper on the role of bioremediation in the circular bioeconomy. This helped shape the EU’s strategic direction.

Position Paper

Moreover, the next cluster meeting was planned to be held in Florence in June 2026, as part of the BIOREMID 2026 conference.

For more details see HERE.

Final Reflections

These two sessions highlighted the transformative potential of microbiome-based bioremediation and emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts across sectors, stakeholders, and scales.

It became clear that ALL4BIOREM is more than just a research cluster - it is evolving into a strategic platform for shaping the future of environmental restoration in Europe. Through cutting-edge microbiome research and active policy engagement, the cluster is well-positioned to expand its influence across the soil, water, and marine environments.

ALL4BIOREM exemplifies how research and innovation can unite to address complex environmental challenges effectively.