The Bulgarian project partner, Biointech is a Research and Development Centre focused on transforming knowledge into educational and technological innovations. In this interview professor Anna Kujumdzieva, general manager of Biointech, explains the importance of creating educational modules from the knowledge developed in the project and the many other project benefits to the economy and society.

The objective of AQUABIOPRO-FIT project to process side streams from fisheries and aquaculture into nutritional supplements that are health promoting, environmentally friendly and cost effective, is what triggered my interest. In addition to advancing research, the prospect of making the research results and the economic and environmental knowledge accumulated throughout the project available in structured educational modules further strengthened my interest. I think that creating educational tools that showcase the scientific progress made in AQUABIOPRO-FIT, of course following the project’s intellectual property regulations, will provide a valuable contribution to research and education.

The impact of the AQUABIOPRO-FIT project can be considered from several perspectives. From an economic standpoint the biomass side stream processing technologies developed by the project will result in economically valued products of high quality that minimize waste. In addition, societal benefits will be realized because the project combines research and learning; it provides educational material for the general public and raises awareness for healthy living along with economic prosperity. And finally, the project contributes to the European action plan for circular economy encompassing the whole economic circle: from extraction of raw materials, to design, production, marketing, safety, bioactivity and acceptance.

I think the biggest challenge in moving towards a circular economy is to make products that provide immediate and long-term societal benefits in terms of improving human wellbeing in a sustainable way. It is an ambitious goal to cover the main, if not all, business sectors. One option to reach this goal is to develop industrial symbiosis that amalgamates research, technology, and education. It will be necessary to introduce adequate policies and legislation instruments to support the realization of this industrial symbiosis.

Projects, such as AQUABIOPRO-FIT, provide advantages at several levels. At the level of partner institutions, the project contributes to their strategic development. For R&D Center Biointech Ltd., it contributes to the realization of our mission to enhance competitiveness by bridging research and industry through technology transfer and exploitation. At national level, the project contributes to the Bulgarian national development programme 2020 in terms of quality of education, quantity and quality of research, and innovation promotion. At EU scale, the project facilitates the implementation of science and innovation into commercial technology for the production of healthy products

The Consortium consists of 3 universities, 1 large company, 3 SMEs, 1 NGO and 4 research institutes from 7 European countries. Find out more about Biointech and the other AQUABIOPRO-FIT project partners in the links below.