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Several Latvian entrepreneurs and researchers have started working together to explore, find concepts, generate ideas, and create innovative solutions towards sustainable food packaging. Giving the fact that food packaging is a current problem both globally and locally, and the demand for it is growing, Vidzeme Planning Region (VPR, Latvia) – Biobord Network partner – together with Riga Technical University (Latvia) is organising a cycle of experimental activities – the innovation co-creation laboratory (ICL).
Considering the different specificities of the work of both entrepreneurs and researchers, the stage of familiarization of challenges is of particular importance in the process of co-creation. While listening to the experiences of several entrepreneurs, each of the researchers had the opportunity to look at the daily challenges from a different point of view. The participants acknowledged that while they provide different products to their customers, the challenges are very similar, and it is great that they have had the opportunity to deal with them together. "We are in a process called connecting co-creation, hence its aim is to raise awareness not only of the needs of entrepreneurs, but also of scientists and researchers. This is a great way to create new opportunities and get to know each other for further cooperation," says Inese Suija-Markova, ICL moderator, who represents Biobord Network parntner Institute for Environmental Solutions.
Aiga Tenisa, representative of Stora Enso Packaging Ltd., presented the challenges and opportunities of food packaging from the prism of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). "Throughout EU, the systems are not harmonised in different countries," said Tenisa, stressing that, when it comes to packaging the product, it is important to think about regulations, e-commerce, sustainability, and hygiene requirements, which have been actualized as a result of a global pandemic. The result of a study presented by the representative, indicated that 80% of millennials prefer to buy a product in sustainable packaging, which raised a discussion amongst the participants – does people actually make these choices, and are they even able to recognize sustainable packaging?
Daina Eglīte-Antona, representative of Labas Saknes Ltd., presented different food packaging tests and non-residual production in their company. To ensure that there is no leftovers, so the products wouldn’t produce a lasting effect in nature, paper/cardboard boxes were initially tested. The problem faced by the entrepreneur was to maintain the value of the product using the most environmentally friendly type of packaging. After 48 hours, healthy snacks lost their properties and changed consistency and taste, thus excluding the use of packaging. As of now, the company welcomes the “non-packaging” concept and supports the younger generation who prefers to shop using the packaging they bring. "After the current market offer, it is concluded that producing a very friendly product without food additives requires the most unfriendly packaging for nature to be realized," says Eglīte-Antona.
Anna Marija Zīdere-Laizāne and Kristīne Ābelniece, representatives of Felici Ltd., introduced the audience with the experience of implementing packaging in the company’s business practices which is both sustainable and able to maintain the products quality. Several future challenges were mentioned – a competitive price, safe and qualitative product, as well as environmentally friendly and convenient packaging, which is convenient not only for production, but also for the consumer. Zīdere-Laizāne mentioned that "the problem arises from the fact that opinions differ. It is still unclear what determines nature-friendly aspects." The representative recalled that not only packaging is important, but also the safety of the product. When the product itself goes to waste, even bigger problem arises.
One of the key insights raised by researchers during the ICL was the need for a platform where researchers and entrepreneurs can meet and collaborate on a daily basis to develop innovative solutions, exchange ideas, current events and contacts in the sustainability sector. Thus, the VPR representatives had the opportunity to demonstrate the bioeconomy innovation platform Biobord, created directly with the participation of the VPR and the Institute for Environmental Solutions, to facilitate the communication amongst them. More about Biobord: https://biobord.eu/.
While working in the groups, a great deal of potential opportunities for cooperation developed and the topics that the participants are interested in exploring in depth at the next IKL meeting were highlighted:
ICL sessions are based on a combination of two co-creation techniques – “World Cafe” and “Conceptual Mapping”. The next stage is scheduled for November 9 to 20, during which individual consultations of entrepreneurs-researchers will take place, giving entrepreneurs the opportunity to ask researchers, involved in ICL, questions related to the challenge defined by the company in the field of food packaging.
The co-creation laboratory is implemented by Vidzeme Planning Region in cooperation with Riga Technical University in the framework of the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme project "GoSmart BSR" and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology Knowledge and Innovation Community (EIT Food) in the framework of the EU Research and Innovation Programme, with the support of the European Regional Development Fund.
More information: Santa Vītola, Project Manager in Vidzeme Planning Region, santa.vitola@vidzeme.lv
Prepared by: Marta Riekstiņa, Public Relations Specialist in Vidzeme Planning Region, marta.riekstina@vidzeme.lv
ConnectedByBiobord -project had a kick-off today and here is a summary of the project
* Funded by EU Development Fund programme Interreg Baltic Sea Region, under Capacity for Innovation
* 01.10.2020 - 30.06.2021
* EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region's Bioeconomy flagship project
* 9 partners around Baltic Sea Region:
* JAMK University of Applied Sciences, as the lead partner.
* Other partners: Krinova Incubator & Science Park, Vidzeme Planning Region, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Institute for Environmental Solutions, Tretorget, SEI Tallinn, Paperprovince and Foundation of Social Dialogue PRO Civis
* Budget of 900 000€
Challenges behind the project:
- Regional authorities and innovation actors in the #BSR lack experience in implementing smart specialization strategies.
- Limited number of actors and innovation infrastructure in the rural BSR
- Bioeconomy unfamiliar, especially among rural bio-based business sector. Challenge to bring together relevant actors and develop regional bioeconomy.
Response of ConnectedByBiobord:
Find us from Biobord!
Connect with us and follow our journey!
Official Biobord Network is here!
The official Biobord Network was established in October 2020 between former RDI2CluB-project partners.
The main goal of the network is to secure the future of Biobord-platform, Operating Model and Joint Action Plan. As well as the well-function transnational co-operation between former project partners. The focus of the network is to develop bioeconomy in the Baltic Sea Region and solve common challenges.
Eight organizations around Baltic Sea Region and from different sectors signed Biobord Network agreement:
The agenda for the first year of Biobord Network (OCT 2020 - OCT 2021) is to form the network functions and gain new members.
We warmly welcome new organizations to join us, from all fields of bioeconomy and from BSR!
It is a great chance to network and join our initiates. Find out more here.
Follow our journey on Biobord and in our social media channels!
FB: @BiobordPlatform
Twitter: @BiobordPlatform
A three-year project of RDI2CluB (Rural RDI milieus in transition towards smart bioeconomy clusters and innovation ecosystems) has become to its end. Project has been funded by European Development fund programme Interreg Baltic Sea Region, and it has been part of the project family of 2014-2020 under the Priority 1 'Capacity for innovation' that is dedicated to actions strengthening the ability of the Baltic Sea Region to create and commercialize innovation. RDI2CluB has also been a PA Bioeconomy flagship project of EUSBSR. RDI2CluB unites authorities, RDI institutes (research, development, and innovation institutes) and business development bodies from five regions (triple helix consortium) to a joint quest of boosting smart and sustainable bioeconomy development in the rural areas of Baltic Sea Region. Project has been implemented with 12 partners across the BSR:
Project mission was bringing together bioeconomy developers throughout the rural areas of Baltic Sea Region to a joint table to solve global and local challenges with bioeconomy innovations. Aim was to connect bioeconomy innovation networks to share ideas, share knowledge, raise awareness, find partners and work together to create business opportunities in bioeconomy. To enable international co-operation and co-development we created several tools and methods.
This report describes the main outputs of the project and other results, as well as the lessons that we have learnt from it.
Outputs and results include:
Partners agreed that project was successful even though subject was not easily comprehendible nor easy to implement. Transnational co-operation and the RDI2CluB network were the most valuable creation of RDI2CluB. Biobord-platform will also stay in the use of partners and development work will continue. All outputs will have a place in future, either in educational purposes, co-working purposes, development purposes or as lessons learnt.
When asked, how RDI2CluB partners have been benefitted from the project, five most popular answers were:
With these results and lessons learnt it is easy to continue the bioeconomy development in the ConnectedByBiobord-project!
Also JAMK university of Applied Sciences has signed yesterday 29.09.2020 an agreement between RDI2CluB-partners of an official Biobord Network that will continue the work of both projects. Stay tuned for more information. JAMK has also signed to upkeep the platform until the end of 2025, so the good work on the platform may continue still several years!
You may find old RDI2CluB partners and new ConnectedByBiobord partners from Biobord!
Riikka Kumpulainen
Project Manager RDI2CluB & ConnectedByBiobord
Phone & Whatsapp +358 505759454
E-mail: riikka.kumpulainen@jamk.fi
Illustration by Diana Pitkänen 2020.