InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM researchers participated in the Sustainable Waste Management in Materials Science (SWMMS 2026) conference, held 21-23 September 2026 in Poznań, Poland.

The conference brought together scientists from different areas of materials science focused on sustainability and circularity. Its scientific programme covered topics including waste characterization, valorization of industrial and agricultural waste, sustainable materials and polymers, environmentally friendly engineered wood materials, environmental degradation and recycling and upcycling processes.

Researchers from InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM contributed to the scientific programme through three contributions.

Dr. Anna Sandak, InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM Materials research group leader, delivered a plenary talk titled “Nature has no waste – rethinking materials design through living systems”, presenting research carried out within the ARCHI-SKIN, REMEDY, LIVEMAT and STAR projects.

Dr. Jakub Grzybek, Dr. Anja Černoša, Klara Gregorič, Ana Gubenšek and Dr. Anna Sandak, InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM reserchers, together with Dr. Mateusz Barczewski, Dr. Joanna Aniśko-Michalak, Dr. Aleksander Hejna and Karol Gorynia, from Poznan University of Technology, contributed to the scientific programme with an oral presentation titled “Lignocellulosic fillers as pore-forming agents and nutrient sources in PLA-based living hybrid materials”. The presentation was delivered by Dr. Jakub Grzybek on behalf of all authors, as part of the LIVEMAT project.

Dr. Jakub Grzybek, Dr. Anja Černoša and Dr. Anna Sandak, InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM researchers, together with Dr. Cene Gostinčar and Nina Češnovar, both from the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana, prepared a poster titled “Transmission FTIR Mapping as a tool for evaluating polyethylene biodegradation by microbial consortia”. The poster was presented by Dr. Jakub Grzybek on behalf of all authors as part of the EmiCoPlast project.

Participation in SWMMS 2026 provided an opportunity for InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM researchers to present their ongoing research and exchange knowledge with scientists working on sustainable materials and waste management.

Cover image: SWMMS 2026