LSIWC Researchers Share Expertise at the BIOSORBWATECH Project Seminar in Poland

From 16 to 19 June, the international BIOSORBWATECH project seminar took place at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, Poland. Project partners from Latvia, Poland, Sweden, and Ukraine gathered to present their areas of expertise, discuss the project's work plan, and establish a strong foundation for future collaboration.

The project aims to develop innovative and sustainable biosorbent solutions for water purification. Clean water is one of the world's most valuable natural resources, yet it is increasingly threatened by industrial, agricultural, and other forms of anthropogenic pollution. Consequently, growing attention is being devoted to the development of environmentally friendly materials and technologies capable of effectively reducing water contamination.

During the seminar, researchers from the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (LSIWC) presented the potential of carbon-based materials for water purification. Dr Aleksandrs Volperts introduced methods for the production and characterisation of activated carbon. Dr Ance Pļavniece presented spherical carbon materials developed within the HTCelect project (No. 1.1.1.9/LZP/1/24/007), highlighting their future potential for application in water treatment technologies.

In addition to the presentations by LSIWC researchers, project partners showcased a range of other innovative water treatment solutions, including cellulose-based 3D filters, lignin-based composite materials, membrane technologies, mineral sorbents, and polymer materials. The seminar also addressed advanced water quality monitoring methods, which play a crucial role in the development and evaluation of efficient water purification technologies.

Representatives of the project partners from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden), the State University of Trade and Economics (SUTE) (Ukraine), the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (Ukraine), the All-Ukrainian Public Organization "Ukrainian Society of Commodity Scientists and Technologists" (Ukraine), Clean Water Systems (Ukraine), the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (LSIWC), and Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS) (Poland) also met with the UMCS Vice-Rectors, Prof. Wojciech Gruszecki and Prof. Dorota Kołodyńska, to discuss opportunities for future cooperation. During the meeting, participants emphasised the importance of international collaboration in developing joint research projects, promoting researcher mobility, and creating new initiatives in the fields of materials science, the bioeconomy, and sustainable technologies. Discussions at this level significantly strengthen institutional partnerships and lay the groundwork for long-term scientific cooperation, joint publications, and future project proposals.

The seminar was organised by Beata Podkościelna (Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Poland), while the project is coordinated by Olena Sevastyanova (KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden).

The BIOSORBWATECH project is funded by the SI Baltic Sea Neighbourhood Programme. It promotes international collaboration by bringing together expertise in materials science, chemistry, and environmental technologies to develop sustainable solutions for water purification.