BioLaMer project partners Sibu Padmanabhan and Sivakumar Krishnan from AMBER Centre, Trinity College Dublin, presented their innovative BioLaMer research at the IFSTI Annual Food Science and Technology Conference 2026, held on 22–23 January 2026 at Technological University Dublin, Ireland.
Advancing Sustainable Food Systems
The 2026 conference theme, “Global Food Resilience: Its Challenges and Strategic Approaches,” closely reflects BioLaMer’s mission to develop forward-thinking sustainable solutions on food waste management systems. The event gathered researchers, industry experts, and students from across Ireland and beyond, fostering meaningful discussions and interdisciplinary collaboration in sustainable food technologies.
A Biorefinery Approach to Chitosan Production
The poster, titled “Biorefinery Approach for Chitosan Production from Black Soldier Fly Larvae Reared on Food Waste,” presented a circular methodology for extracting chitosan from shells of Black Soldier Fly larvae. By valorising food waste streams, this approach demonstrates the potential of insect-based biorefineries to contribute to resource efficiency and environmental sustainability.
During the session, Sivakumar outlined the complete end-to-end workflow for chitosan production, detailing the scientific processes involved and presenting key findings to the Irish food science and sustainability community. The presentation highlighted not only the technical feasibility of the process but also its broader implications for waste reduction and the development of high-value bio-based materials.
Strengthening BioLaMer’s Commitment to Innovation
Participation in the IFSTI Annual Food Science and Technology Conference provided an excellent platform for BioLaMer to showcase its research direction, engage with leading experts, contribute to discussions on resilient global food systems, and reaffirm its strong commitment to advancing innovative and sustainable solutions to pressing environmental and societal challenges. Through continued collaboration and research excellence, BioLaMer remains dedicated to shaping the future of sustainable food and bio-based production systems.
Funding Acknowledgment
This project is funded by European Innovation Council under Grant Agreement no. 101099487. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
