ESCIB Project Hosted Third Project Meeting in Utrecht to Advance Sustainability Assessment for Bio-Based Systems

The ESCIB project, a European Union-funded initiative dedicated to enhancing the sustainability of bio-based systems, successfully held its third project meeting on 25–26 June 2025 at Utrecht University. This two-day meeting brought together leading researchers, industry innovators, and sustainability experts from across Europe to present project progress, refine methodologies, and reinforce cooperation among consortium members.

Hosted by Utrecht University and GROWN Bio, the meeting featured a full agenda of technical presentations, stakeholder discussions, and workshop, all centred around advancing environmental and circularity assessment tools for bio-based technologies at different Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs).Key topics covered during the meeting included:

• The identification of industrial bio-based systems and benchmark scenarios
• The development of environmental sustainability assessment methodologies
• The harmonization of methods for assessing systems at varying TRLs
• The development of circularity assessment approach

One of the highlights was the visit to GROWN Bio’s production site, where participants took part in an engaging study tour and a practical workshop. Attendees were given the chance to grow their own bio-based product using GROWN Bio’s Grow It Yourself kit. These kits use mycelium—the root structure of mushrooms—combined with agricultural waste (with the workshop, we used straw) to create fully compostable packaging and design products. The DIY activity brought sustainability to life and gave participants a tangible experience to take home—literally.

Figure1 ESCIB Consortium at GROWN Bio's Workshop

About GROWN Bio

GROWN Bio is a Dutch biotech company pioneering the use of Mushroom® Packaging—a fully home-compostable material made from agricultural residues and mycelium. Their products are designed to replace Styrofoam and other plastic foams in packaging and interior design. GROWN Bio’s process is circular by nature and supports local production with a low environmental footprint. Their mission is to grow a better future by bringing natural materials into industrial use. Learn more atwww.grown.bio.

Contact

WIP Renewable Energies, Germany

Dominik Rutz, Email:dominik.rutz@wip-munich.de

Chuan Ma, Email:chuan.ma@wip-munich.de

ESCIB website:www.escib.eu

ESCIB Consortium - Powerful Partnerships Driving Change

• WIP Renewable Energies, Germany
• Gent University, Belgium
• Utrecht University, the Netherlands
• Technical University of Munich, Germany
• Association for the development of Industrial Aerodynamics, Portugal
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Finland
• GROWN Bio, the Netherlands
• Bio Based Supply, the Netherlands
• Lenzing, Austria
• Unilin, Luxembourg
• Stora Enso, Finland
• Quantis, Switzerland