The UNLOCK project, funded by the Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking, is all about feathers.

Much of the 3.6 million tonnes of waste feathers produced each year in the EU ends up as waste. In line with the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, this project proposes to make use of this waste stream and design a new economically and environmentally sustainable value chain. It will produce bio-based products tailored to the needs of the agriculture sector, such as mulch films and hydroponic foams. There's another benefit too: feathers are nearly 90% keratin, meaning that products made from them are biodegradable and good for soils.

The project is now coming to an end and its final conference will show what it has achieved. There will be sessions on UNLOCK, of course, along with the European vision for the circular economy in the agri-food sector, the involvement of primary producers in circular bio-based innovations and bioeconomy, and EU projects in the Basque Country. An exhibition area will be set up where people can network.

The conference will bring together industry experts, policymakers and innovators to explore how circular bioeconomy solutions, such as feather-based bioplastics, can drive sustainability in agriculture. Participants will gain insights into EU policies and bio-based innovations and find out about UNLOCK’s market-ready products and policy uptake strategies.

The event will take place on 26 March from 14:30 to 18:00 CET in Donostia/San Sebastián, Spain. It will take place in person and online and will be in English.

Programme and registration.