InPlasTwin: First Year Wrap-Up
InPlasTwin first year concluded withe successful competition of crucial early-stage objectives: our first major scientific paper has been published, our partners have engaged in intensive training and knowledge transfer, and we’ve significantly expanded our outreach activities. This text highlights how our partners are strengthening their capacity in micro- and nanoplastics (MNP) analysis, laying the groundwork for the core experimental phase on strawberry cultivation for further investigations of MNPs transport into strawberries and their impact on food safety.
Synergies in Action: Joint Webinar
On April 23, 2025, the webinar “Microplastic Analysis in the Environment: Sampling, Extraction Protocols, and Contamination Control,” was successfully hosted by the InPlasTwin project in synergistic collaboration with the GREENLand project. The webinar provided a space to discuss methodologies and critical considerations necessary for obtaining reliable and meaningful data on microplastic pollution across various environmental matrices. It saw active contribution from researchers, scientists, and environmental enthusiasts keen to learn more about tackling the growing issue of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs).
InPlasTwin Training activities: Building Expertise
Advancing MNP Research in Soils at VITO – Dr. Janja Vidmar (JSI), Dr. Dimitrios Savvas (AUA), and Dr. Vasileios Papasotiropoulos (AUA) took part in an intensive research training at VITO (Belgium) focused on detecting micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in soil. The training aimed to strengthen lab expertise and support the InPlasTwin project’s core objectives. They collaborated with VITO experts to refine extraction protocols and tested them on real soil samples from strawberry farms in Greece. The team also trained in advanced analysis techniques, including pyrolysis-GC-MS, essential for identifying and quantifying MNPs and plastic mulching film residues.
Enhancing Chemical Food Safety Analysis at DTU – Dr. Majda Nikezić from JSI successfully completed a two-month staff exchange at DTU Food, working with Dr. Katrin Löschner and Dr. Bina Bhattarai. The focus of the exchange was on developing highly precise methods to test how chemicals leach out of plastics and into food. Dr. Nikezić conducted extensive experiments on mulching films and strawberry packaging, comparing both conventional and biodegradable polymers. By using a special food-simulating liquid, the team performed ‘worst-case scenario’ tests to extract every possible additive. The final step was the analysis: samples were screened using advanced laboratory tools to identify any organic or inorganic plastic additives.
In August 2025, Dr. Majda Nikezić (JSI) and Konstantina Argyropoulou (AUA) completed training at DTU’s National Food Institute (Denmark) on different strategies for extracting nanoplastics from food samples. Dr. Katrin Loeschner (DTU Food) outlined their respective advantages and drawbacks in relation to analytical techniques, and guided them in applying the enzymatic approach, particularly suitable for the strawberry samples by using advanced methods (LC-qTOF-MS and ICP-MS), directly supporting InPlasTwin’s goals in food safety and plastic impact assessment.
Pia Leban Completes MNP Training at VITO – Pia Leban (JSI) completed a comprehensive two-week InPlasTwin training at VITO, focusing on micro- and nanoplastics analysis using pyrolysis-GC-MS and Raman spectroscopy. She gained hands-on experience with spiked and real soil samples, learned sample preparation and data processing techniques, and helped refine extraction protocols—all to support more accurate MNP detection in our environmental research.
InPlasTwin Publishes First Scientific Paper
The first scientific paper supported by the InPlasTwin project, “Microplastics in soil: a comprehensive review of analytical techniques,” was published on July 9, 2025, in Frontiers in Soil Science. The paper provides an exhaustive review of existing identification techniques for microplastics (MPs) in soil, highlighting the complexities of analyzing soil matrices, such as heterogeneity and diverse particle sizes, and identifying methodological inconsistencies across various studies. The authors stress the urgent need for standardized analytical protocols to allow for reliable comparative assessments, especially given the projected increase in global plastic production. The paper acknowledges funding from the European Union’s InPlasTwin project. The full paper is available as an open-access article. You can access it through its DOI: 10.3389/fsoil.2025.1614075.
Events, collaboration and outreach
InPlasTwin at AGRIFOODPLAST – Xiaoyu Zhang, PhD student from VITO, presented the InPlasTwin project at AGRIFOODPLAST 2025, the international conference on micro and nano-plastics in the agri-food chain, on April 8-9 in Brussels. She presented a poster titled: “The InPlasTwin project: Investigating the uptake and impact of micro- and nanoplastics from mulching film degradation on strawberries through twinning action.” The event was a valuable opportunity to network with world experts, decision-makers, farmers, and business actors.
Microplastics for Breakfast Event – Foodscale Hub’s team, Gordana Racic and Olivera Stojilovic Trivunic, attended the event “Microplastics for Breakfast,” held in Belgrade on April 10th. This gathering brought together stakeholders from Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, fostering an exchange of knowledge and experience. During her 3-minute pitch, Gordana Racic highlighted the importance of dissemination and science communication within the InPlasTwin project. Dr. Milica Velimirovic (VITO) also mentioned the project’s positive impact in her presentation on advances in analytical techniques.
Showcasing InPlasTwin at the 92nd International Agricultural Fair – Our partner Foodscale Hub presented InPlasTwin and our vision for increasing expertise in micro- and nanoplastic detection in environmental samples at the 92nd International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad. The fair was an excellent opportunity to engage with diverse stakeholders, from farmers to industry representatives, and spark interest in our innovative project.
InPlasTwin at CASEE Conference – Our partners from Foodscale Hub successfully presented the InPlasTwin project at the 15th CASEE CONFERENCE in Novi Sad (June 25-27). The event, focused on “Green transitions in agriculture and food systems,” was a fantastic opportunity to exchange ideas with over 150 participants from Europe, strengthening our mission for sharing best practices in the investigation of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in the environment and food.
InPlasTwin at the PRIORITY Conference – From September 2–5, 2025, Janja Vidmar (JSI) attended the Final PRIORITY Conference in Leoben, Austria. The event concluded the COST Action PRIORITY, focused on tackling global MNP challenges. Dr Janja Vidmar presented two posters showcasing InPlasTwin research on MNP analysis and instrument comparison using single particle ICP-MS, integrating our project’s findings into the global discussion.
InPlasTwin in the Online Twinning Info Day – The InPlasTwin team was delighted to take part in the online Twinning Info Day, organized by Aida4Edge! We joined a vibrant group of inspiring EU-funded projects—including TWINRELECT, Artifact, TAICHIP, and others—creating a valuable space for knowledge exchange, shared experiences, and mutual support among EU Twinning initiatives.
Spotlight: Synergies in Action
At InPlasTwin, we believe collaboration is key. That’s why we are actively engaging with other European projects, including Econutri and PUREEF-Y, to build on past research and maximize our impact. By sharing knowledge and exploring new opportunities, we can strengthen Europe’s capacity in this critical area.
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