PUREEF-Y – InPlasTwin Joint Press Release

Two EU-funded Projects, PUREEF-Y and InPlasTwin, are hosting their second joint online workshop on 19 January 2026, titled “Advanced Spectroscopic Approaches for Microplastic Detection and Characterization.”

The workshop will showcase state-of-the-art spectroscopic techniques used to identify and characterize microplastics, and demonstrate how integrated analytical strategies can improve accuracy, efficiency, and data comparability.

Through this initiative, PUREEF-Y and InPlasTwin continue to strengthen scientific collaboration and knowledge exchange, advancing methodologies for microplastic detection and characterisation across the marine environment and agricultural systems.

The scientific programme for the workshop will present four complementary analytical approaches:

• LDIR imaging
• Micro-Raman spectroscopy
• Micro-FTIR spectroscopy
• QCL micro-IR spectroscopy

The session will feature expert contributions from:

• Dr. Olga Novillo Sanjuan, Postdoctoral researcher, Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
• Dr. Genna-Leigh Geldenhuys, Senior Research Associate, Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI)
• Dr. André Marcel Bienfait, Researcher, Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Norway
• Dr. Michaël Grelaud, Researcher, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)

The workshop will be held online via Microsoft Teams on 19 January 2026 at 12:00 CET and is free of charge upon registration.

Participants who register will receive a confirmation email containing a calendar invitation and the Microsoft Teams link. Attendees are kindly advised to ensure that their contact details are entered correctly to receive all relevant information.

About the Workshop Series on Advanced Microplastic Analysis

The collaboration was initiated with the first joint online workshop held on 5 November 2025, which focused on practical approaches for sampling and extraction of microplastics from soil, sediment, compost, and biota. The event brought together more than 60 researchers from both projects, partner institutions, and other relevant stakeholders to exchange expertise on sample preparation, separation techniques, and quality assurance and quality control procedures across diverse environmental matrices.

About PUREEF-Y

PUREEF-Y – Past, present, and future status and mitigation for Cyprus shallow-water reef biodiversity and functioning under global change is a Horizon Europe Twinning project (July 2024 – June 2027) that aims to strengthen research capacity in Cyprus in the field of marine ecosystem assessment under global change. Coordinated by the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI), the project addresses the combined impacts of climate change and anthropogenic stressors, including marine pollution such as microplastics, on shallow-water reef biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Through close collaboration with leading European partners, including Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research (IOLR) and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), PUREEF-Y builds capacity to assess physicochemical changes in sediments and waters, evaluate marine pollution levels with a focus on microplastics and heavy metals, and monitor the health of ecologically important benthic and planktonic habitats. The generated knowledge supports improved monitoring, conservation, restoration, and evidence-based policy development.

About InPlasTwin

InPlasTwin – Increasing expertise in micro- and nanoplastics analysis through a twinning action is a Horizon Europe Twinning project (October 2024 – September 2027) focused on strengthening research excellence and analytical capacity in micro- and nanoplastics (MNP) analysis in Slovenia and Greece, through strategic collaboration and knowledge sharing with leading European institutions from Belgium, Denmark, and Norway. The project investigates environmental and food-related impacts of MNPs, with particular attention to biodegradable plastic mulching films used in agriculture.

InPlasTwin combines experimental and analytical approaches to study MNP generation, environmental behaviour, and uptake by crops under real farm conditions, using strawberry cultivation as a model system. The project develops harmonised extraction protocols and advanced analytical methods to assess impacts on crop yield, quality, safety, and the potential release of plastic additives. By actively engaging stakeholders, InPlasTwin supports the transition toward more sustainable agricultural practices and improved mitigation of micro- and nanoplastic pollution.

Curious for More?

For more information about the projects, visit the InPlasTwin and PUREEF-Y websites.