InPlasTwin Consortium Gathers in Athens for Its 2nd Annual Meeting
On 22–23 October 2026, the InPlasTwin consortium gathered at the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA), Greece, for its 2nd Annual Meeting. Held in a hybrid format, the meeting brought together project partners both in person and online to review progress, exchange scientific and technical knowledge, and coordinate activities for the final year of the project.
Hosted by the Agricultural University of Athens, the two-day meeting provided an important opportunity to reflect on the achievements made since the previous annual meeting, discuss ongoing research activities, and identify priorities for the remaining project period.
Exploring Research Facilities and Reviewing Project Progress
The first day began with a visit to AUA’s laboratory and greenhouse facilities, where participants had the opportunity to become familiar with the research infrastructure supporting the project’s experimental activities.
The meeting continued with an overview of the project’s implementation, presented by the coordinator, the Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI), highlighting key achievements, the current status of activities, and the work remaining until the project’s completion in September 2027.
Partners from JSI, DTU Sustain, VITO, the Institute of Marine Research (IMR), and DTU Food presented progress across their respective work packages. Particular attention was given to the achievements and lessons learned from completed activities and how these contribute to ongoing research.
The discussions also addressed experimental progress, sample availability, analytical workflows, timelines, and expected scientific outputs, providing an opportunity to align technical activities and ensure effective coordination among partners.
Advancing Experimental Activities and Strengthening Dissemination
The second day focused on ongoing experimental work and the activities needed to support the project’s scientific and wider impact objectives. The Agricultural University of Athens presented the status of its experimental activities, including sampling procedures, sample numbers, analytical workflows, and expected results. These discussions were particularly relevant to the project’s research on micro- and nanoplastics associated with agricultural systems and biodegradable mulching materials. Future Systems Hub (FSH) provided updates on communication, dissemination, and exploitation activities, highlighting efforts to increase the visibility of InPlasTwin, share project knowledge with different stakeholder groups, and strengthen engagement with the scientific community and wider public. The meeting also included discussions on the remaining project activities, responsibilities, deadlines, and priorities for the period leading up to September 2027. On the second day, Vice Rector Emmanouil Flementakis joined the meeting and extended a warm welcome to the InPlasTwin consortium, highlighting the importance of international scientific cooperation.
Looking Ahead to the Final Project Year
With the project entering its final year, the meeting provided an opportunity to align scientific, technical, and dissemination activities and establish a shared understanding of the next steps. Partners discussed the importance of completing ongoing experimental work, strengthening the integration of analytical results, preparing scientific outputs, and ensuring that the knowledge and expertise developed through InPlasTwin reach relevant research and stakeholder communities. Beyond the formal sessions, the meeting offered opportunities for informal exchanges and networking, reinforcing the collaborative relationships established through the project. The programme also included a visit to the Eleftheria Davi Museum of Minerals and Rocks at the Agricultural University of Athens.
Continuing Collaboration Towards InPlasTwin's Objectives
The 2nd Annual Meeting marked another important milestone in the implementation of InPlasTwin, reaffirming the consortium’s commitment to strengthening scientific excellence and analytical expertise in micro- and nanoplastics research.
Through continued cooperation, knowledge exchange, and coordinated research activities, InPlasTwin aims to contribute to improved understanding and analysis of micro- and nanoplastics, particularly in relation to agricultural applications and biodegradable materials.
Stay connected with InPlasTwin and follow our progress at https://inplastwin.eu/.