research

Bioeconomy Systems

Integrating circular design, renewable energy, and digital tools to build a carbon-neutral bioeconomy.
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decrease in food waste by 2030
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recycling rate of plastics by 2030
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Key Challenges
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Researchers
Our Mission

Designing a Truly Circular Bioeconomy

At BiOrbic, we’re developing systems that make the bioeconomy sustainable, efficient and data-driven. This pillar focuses on redesigning how biological resources are produced and used, ensuring materials, energy and information flow responsibly through every part of the system.

By creating circular, low-carbon processes, we aim to build bio-based industries that are regenerative and help Ireland move toward a carbon-neutral future.

Research Programmes

What Research is BiOrbic Doing?

The Bioeconomy Systems pillar focuses on three major challenges: Circular Bioeconomy Design, Powering the Bioeconomy, and Digitalising the Bioeconomy. Together, these areas provide a roadmap for a low-waste, carbon-neutral future.

Circular Bioeconomy Design Digitalising the Bioeconomy Powering the Bioeconomy
bioeconomy systems

Circular Bioeconomy Design

This challenge brings circular thinking into practice. Researchers are combining advances in farming, waste, and materials to reduce resource pressure and support sustainable food and material systems.

key research areas

Apply circular economy principles in real-world systems

Reduce land and resource use through process optimisation

Develop indicators to measure circularity and sustainability

active Projects
Optimising Algae production with feedstock from AD at lab-scale
Optimization of large-scale cultivation of microalgae on Anaerobic Digestate to minimise or eliminate soybean from the pig diet in order to reduce the pressure on land resources used for soybean production allowing for soil regeneration, while strenghtening the sustainability and commercial viability of Anaerobic DigestionPI: Dr. Ronald Halim, Staff: PhD – check Master tracker for […]
Optimising AD with pig-derived feedstocks at lab-scale
Targeting both energy and Algae. Subsequent translation to farm scale at Lyons.PI: Dr. Ajay Menon and Prof. Jim Lyng, Staff: Bhargav Sai Chandar Neela (PhD)
Enrich Environmental: Microalgae For The Valorisation Of Nutrient-Rich Wastewater From Compost Manufacturing
How to create a circular system in the agricultural sector and how to maximise productivity from terrestrial agriculture systems. This project aims to develop a scalable microalgae biotechnology solution for the valorisation of compost manufacture wastewater (or leachate or runoff) from Enrich Environmental primary production site at Kilcock, Ireland.PI: Ronald Halim, Staff: Felix Joel Brooke […]
bioeconomy systems

Digitalising the Bioeconomy

This challenge uses digital tools to make the bioeconomy smarter and more transparent. Real-time data supports better decisions, tracks emissions and connects every part of the value chain.

key research areas

Develop real-time life cycle assessment (LCA) tools

Use blockchain for traceability and data governance

Enable predictive and data-driven resource management

active Projects
Develop data governance and decision support systems to enable multi-actor decision making in multi-domain bioeconomy context (Blockchain)
Many bioprocesses struggle due to the lack of affordable, accurate, and fast monitoring tools. To address this, we are developing a biosensor platform with cost-effective sensors for real-time monitoring of multiple substances, along with machine learning models to improve the understanding and control of bioprocesses.PI: Dr. Fatameh Golpayegani and Dr. Joe Sweeney, Staff: Dorsa Samiee […]
Apply sensor-based monitoring and control systems to assess key performance indicator analytes within full scale Anaerobic Digestors
To run bioprocesses efficiently, we need real-time monitoring of substance levels. Currently, many bioprocesses lack affordable, accurate tools, leading to inefficiency. A new biosensor system is being developed with affordable sensors to detect specific substances, allowing real-time monitoring of multiple substances at once.PI: Dr. Joe Sweeney and Dr. Cormac Murphy, Staff: Ibrahim Waziri Zubairu (PhD)
bioeconomy systems

Powering the Bioeconomy

Energy drives every stage of the bioeconomy. This challenge ensures that bio-based systems use renewable, carbon-neutral power and that energy is managed efficiently across all sectors.

key research areas

Create fossil-free energy systems for the bioeconomy

Integrate renewable energy forecasting and flexible technologies

Develop carbon-negative fuels and energy recovery methods

active Projects
Real time LCA/Industry 4.0 and renewable energy forecasting to reduce carbon emissions; increase responsiveness of processing
Develop a digital twin of a generic bio-economy industrial process to incorporate renewable energy forecasting and adjust operational scheduling to maximise renewable energy utilisation.PI: Dr. Eoin Syron and Dr. Fionnuala Murphy, Staff: Busayo Daniel Ogungbemi (PhD)
Powering the Bioeconomy with Carbon Neutral Energy; incl Subsidies and regulation for sustainable biofuel
Develop assessment methods, operational strategies along with economic and policy levers to promote the use of fossil free energy in BioEconomy. Can the bioeconomy achieve independence from the fossil economy?PI: Eoin Syron, Lisa Ryan, Staff: Lia Freitas (PhD)
Investigating the Potential of Biohydrogen in Ireland’s Future Energy System
To identify an eco-friendly and cost competitive biohydrogen production routes and check its feasibility within Ireland’s energy landscapePI: Dr. Eoin Syron, Staff: Ammar Sohail (PhD)
Increasing value of energy recovered from the bioeconomy (algae); Closing the energy and material loops in dairy industry via hybrid ABE fermentation and microalgae technology
Develop an efficient process train to maximise the value of recovered energy (fermentation and 3rd Generation Biofuel) via integrated analysis of the fermentation and Algal bioprocesses. Investigate the development of a combined acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation and microalgae treatment for the valorisation of cheese whey and dairy process side streams into biobutanol (as building block to […]
impact

Why This Research Matters

The bioeconomy is central to a sustainable future. Through renewable energy, circular design and digital innovation, BiOrbic research helps reduce emissions, minimise waste and regenerate natural systems.

Cut Waste and Emissions

Transform industries to reduce greenhouse gases and material loss.

Design for Circularity

Reuse materials, energy and data across systems.

Power Sustainably

Run the bioeconomy on renewable, carbon-neutral energy.

Harness Digital Innovation

Use data and technology to boost efficiency and transparency.

Strategic Alignment

Aligned with Key EU Targets

This pillar supports Ireland’s transition to a circular, low-emission economy in line with major EU objectives.

European Green Deal
  • Food waste – 50% decrease in retail & consumer food waste by 2030
  • Carbon-neutral energy – Create pathways for renewable and low-carbon energy production within the bioeconomy.
EU Circular Economy Action Plan
  • Plastic waste –55% recycling rate of plastics by 2030
  • Circular design – Embed circularity at every stage of production to reduce dependence on virgin materials and fossil inputs.
  • Digitalisation – Apply data and digital tools to improve efficiency, traceability and resource management.
EU Bioeconomy Strategy
  • Circular systems – Develop bio-based industries designed for circularity rather than linear production.
  • Carbon-neutral pathways – Support renewable energy and sustainable production to meet EU climate goals.