The webinar “Bio-Based Materials and Circular Solutions for Future Cities: Connecting Research and Industry across France, Germany and Poland” will highlight innovative bio-based materials and technologies supporting sustainable construction, circular economy approaches and climate-neutral urban development. Special attention will be paid to hemp-based solutions and other renewable materials for the construction sector.

Experts from Hauts-de-France (France), North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany) and Silesia (Poland) will present current developments from both research and industry. Participants will gain insights into innovative projects, advanced materials and practical applications that contribute to resource-efficient and climate-friendly cities.

The webinar aims to identify opportunities for trilateral research, innovation and business cooperation while fostering exchange between research organisations, companies and other key stakeholders.

Key topics:

• Bio-based materials for sustainable construction
• Hemp-based solutions and innovative materials
• Circular economy and material loops
• Climate-neutral and resource-efficient urban development
• International research and innovation cooperation

The event is part of Circular Week 2026, a German-Polish initiative featuring numerous activities focused on circular economy, sustainable technologies, bioeconomy and urban transformation. 
As part of Circular Week 2026, the ZENIT team at NRW.Europa is also supporting the matchmaking event to facilitate targeted international cooperation discussions between companies, startups, universities, research institutions, public institutions, and other innovation stakeholders.

Participation is free of charge.

Agenda:

Research:

• “Bio-based Textiles for Smart Cities – The Urban Future with Sustainable Materials” by Mr Pascal Szarko, Institute for Textile Technologies, RWTH Aachen University (Germany)
• “From paper waste to biocomposite boards: Giving recycled cardboard a second life” by Ms Dr Eng. Beata Kończak, National Research Intitute GIG (Main Mining Institute) (Poland)
• Université d’Artois, Laboratory of Civil Engineering and Geo-Environment (LGCgE) (tbc) (France)

Companies:

• “Pioneering clay-based cement solutions” by Mr Benjamin Constant, CEO NeoCem (France)
• Mr Karol Lisowski, the Chairman of the company Nolmo (Poland)
• Shards (tbc) (Germany)