SSUCHY: an European project with educational impact

October 26, 2021

The first edition of the “European Summer School on Bio-Based Composites – From plant and wood fibres to advance composites” was held between July 6 and 8, 2021, gathering more than 150 students from 27 different countries online.

The SSUCHY project collaborated together with 3 other European projects FLOWER, NETFIB and FibreNet for the organization and sponsorship of these 3 days-event that was hosted virtually and initiated by the FEMTO-ST Institute of the University of Franche-Comté in Besançon, France.

These EU projects are the result of different research and development programmes funded by the European Union such as H2020, Interreg and Era-NET.

Several partners of SSUCHY project were involved in the organisation of the event. The Scientific Committee, composed of members from different European research institutions, Pr. Pierre Ouagne (ENI Tarbes), Dr. Vincent Placet (UFC), Pr. Fabrizio Scarpa (U of Bristol) and Pr. Aart Willem Van Vuur (KU Leuven), among others. In addition, IAR the French bioeconomy cluster was in charge of communication and promotion activities of it, as part of its involvement in the WP11 Dissemination and Communication.

This event brought together researchers, Masters and PhD students working in the field of biocomposites and their development, covering a wide range of disciplines, allowing them to present and discuss their technical-scientific experiences. The following 3 main topics were addressed divided into 8 sessions: (i) Testing; (ii) Manufacturing, design and durability; and (iii) End-of-life management, sustainability assessment, circular bioeconomy.

SSUCHY partners had the opportunity to present their work during several sessions and highlights that you can consult on the detailed programme: Dr. Vincent Placet (UFC), Pr. Aart Van Vuur (KU Leuven) and Mr Jason Govilas (UFC) during the first day; Mr. Gilles Koolen (KU Leuven), Mr. Benjamin Sala (UFC), Pf. Fabrizio Scarpa (U of Bristol) and Mr. Mark Lepellar (NPSP) on the second day, and Pr. Pierre Ouagne (ENI Tarbes), Dr. Marie Grégoire (ENI Tarbes), Dr. Mahadev Bar (ENI Tarbes) and Pr. Karel van Ackerren (KU Leuven) on the third and last day.

Last but not least, a contest was organized that awarded three prizes for the “Best PhD Student Flash Presentation”, chosen by the scientific committee. The winner was Jason Govilas from the University of Franche-Comté, the second prize was awarded to Emmanuelle Richely, and third prize went to Ana Carolina Constancio Trinidade, Delphin Pantaloni, Farzin Javanshour and Alexandros Prapavesis.

We would like to congratulate all those who made this unique event a success, from the organizing and scientific committee, as well as the researchers who shared their knowledge in the different areas of study that will trigger further innovations in the field of bio-based composites!