BioDirect 2.0 Advances All-Island Industry Roundtables to Boost Circular Bioeconomy Innovation

BioDirect, one of the largest all-island programmes dedicated to driving the adoption of innovative circular bio-based products, projects, policies and programmes, has launched the next phase of its work to support businesses across Ireland and Northern Ireland.

BioDirect 2.0 will focus on addressing real-world company challenges across four priority sectors:

• Agriculture
• Textiles
• Construction, and
• Manufacturing

As part of this new phase, a series of in-person industry innovation roundtables will take place in early 2026, bringing together businesses, researchers, clusters, funders and policymakers from across the island.

The roundtables are designed to explore sectoral value chains, identify challenges and opportunities, and co-create practical solutions that harness the potential of the circular bioeconomy. Insights gathered through these sessions will also help inform future funding priorities and policy development at both regional and national level.

Stephen Barry-Hannon, Senior Researcher at the Circular Bioeconomy Cluster South-West and BioDirect Project Manager, said:

“BioDirect 2.0 represents a unique opportunity for industry to shape the future of the circular bioeconomy across the island. By working directly with businesses to surface real operational challenges, these roundtables will help unlock practical solutions that are grounded in innovation, collaboration and shared learning.”

Why Participate?

Businesses taking part in the BioDirect roundtables will have the opportunity to influence sector innovation priorities, help set the agenda for the upcoming All-Island BioDirect Conference, and connect directly with SMEs, researchers and funders from across Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Participants will engage with organisations including the Circular Bioeconomy Cluster, Ulster University, Advanced Technology in Manufacturing Cluster, AgriTech Ireland Cluster, Biorbic, Climate KIC, High Performance Building Alliance and Irish Manufacturing Research.

The programme also offers businesses a platform to contribute directly to the future direction of circular bioeconomy policy. Insights from the roundtables will inform future strategies and actions by:

Republic of Ireland:

• Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
• Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
• Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Northern Ireland:

• Department for the Economy
• Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Roundtable Dates and Venues:

Businesses operating across agriculture, manufacturing and construction are encouraged to register to take part in the BioDirect industry roundtables and help shape the future of the circular bioeconomy across the island.

Registration is available via the BioDirect Roundtable Registration page, via this link.

Programme support and data notice:

BioDirect is supported by the InterTradeIreland Synergy Programme, which aims to scale cross-border collaboration using cluster and network development supports to deliver economic benefit for Ireland and Northern Ireland. By submitting and attending this event, participant data will be held by InterTradeIreland in line with its privacy policy.

For further information, contact BioDirect Project Manager Stephen Barry-Hannon at stephen.barryhannon@mtu.ie.