MIBIREM Takes Centre Stage in Florence at BioRemid 2026

MIBIREM Consortium Meeting and BioRemid 2026: A Week of Collaboration and Bioremediation

The city of Florence became a meeting point for Europe’s bioremediation community in June 2026. Hosted by MIBIREM partner Prof. Simona Di Gregorio, the project’s sixth consortium meeting Europe brought together researchers, industry representatives and technology developers from across Europe. The timing could not have been better: just one day after the consortium meeting concluded, BioRemid 2026, Europe’s leading conference in the field of bioremediation, opened its doors.

With 259 participants from 27 countries, three keynote speakers and six plenary speakers, BioRemid 2026 created a unique environment for scientific exchange, networking and discussion on the future of sustainable remediation. For MIBIREM partners, the week offered a rare opportunity to combine internal project discussions with direct engagement with the wider European bioremediation community.

The atmosphere was made even more special by the setting itself. Florence, a city renowned for its history, culture and spirit of innovation, offered an inspiring setting for conversations about the future of environmental technologies. The conference officially opened in the magnificent Sala dei Cinquecento of the Palazzo Vecchio, where BioRemid 2026 Chair and MIBIREM partner Prof. Simona Di Gregorio welcomed participants from around the world.

We are here in Florence to discuss bioremediation strategies, here in a city that is a symbol of beauty, art and culture, but also of technology. We are here to talk about new technology that can help the environment,” she said during the opening ceremony.

Her words perfectly captured the spirit of the week. BioRemid 2026 brought together experts from across Europe and beyond to share knowledge, discuss current challenges and present the latest developments in bioremediation. From the MIBIREM consortium meeting to the conference programme that followed, the event created valuable opportunities for collaboration and exchange between researchers, industry and other stakeholders working towards more sustainable environmental solutions.

Consortium Meeting #6: Shaping the Final Project Phase

The Florence meeting marked the sixth time MIBIREM partners met face-to-face since the beginning of the project. More importantly, it came at a decisive moment. As the Horizon Europe project enters its fourth and final year, discussions focused not only on what has already been achieved, but also on how to maximise the impact of the project’s results before its conclusion.

Over two intensive days, partners reviewed scientific results, field trials and demonstration activities conducted across Europe. The meeting offered a chance to look back on the progress achieved so far, from identifying microbial strains with remarkable degradation potential to developing biomarkers and innovative bioaugmentation strategies for contaminated soils and groundwater.

What made the Florence meeting particularly valuable was the balance between scientific depth and practical implementation. Presentations showcased not only laboratory achievements but also the growing body of evidence supporting microbiome-based remediation under real environmental conditions.

From Scientific Results to Practical Tools

Among the highlights was the presentation of the MIBIREM Toolbox, which now contains more than 320 fully genome-sequenced bacterial strains targeting the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons, HCH (lindane) and cyanides. These strains are expected to become available to researchers and practitioners in 2027, representing one of the most comprehensive microbial resources generated within the project. Partners also presented progress on molecular monitoring tools and the first modules of MiBiPret, a predictive tool designed to support the implementation of bioremediation at contaminated sites. Together, these developments show how MIBIREM is translating scientific research into practical tools.

The meeting also addressed the broader sustainability of remediation practices. As highlighted by TAUW, remediation is not only about removing contamination; it is also about understanding the environmental footprint of the remediation process itself. Conventional excavation often generates significant emissions through transport, soil handling and disposal, while nature-based approaches can offer a more sustainable alternative. Tools such as the CARBONAS carbon footprint model are helping partners evaluate remediation technologies from both environmental and technical perspectives.

The atmosphere throughout the meeting reflected both the excitement and responsibility of entering the project’s final phase. There was a strong sense that MIBIREM is no longer discussing future possibilities but demonstrating tangible results and preparing them for wider application. This combination of scientific ambition, practical achievements and collaborative spirit defined the discussions in Florence.

ALL4BIOREM Cluster Workshop: Collaboration in Action

BioRemid 2026 also hosted the ALL4BIOREM Cluster Workshop, bringing together ten European projects working on bioremediation-related topics. As one of the founding members of the cluster, MIBIREM played a central role in organising and shaping the session.

The workshop attracted more than 140 participants and showcased a wide range of innovations, from microbiome-based remediation technologies to strategies for scaling up solutions from laboratory research to field implementation. A short video recap is available here.

MIBIREM opened the session with a presentation on the potential of microbiome-based bioremediation, followed by contributions from fellow cluster projects including ISLANDR, InBioSoil, BIOREM, IASIS and pHYBi. Together, the presentations offered a snapshot of the different strategies currently being explored to tackle soil and groundwater contamination across Europe.

During the session, Dr. Thomas Reichenauer (AIT), MIBIREM Scientific Coordinator, emphasised the value of cooperation between European projects tackling similar environmental challenges. One of the most visible outcomes of this collaborative approach has already been achieved through a joint scientific publication in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, which reported the isolation of 64 bacterial enrichment cultures capable of degrading HCH and identified a previously unknown degradation pathway independent of the well-known lin-pathway.

One example of this collaborative approach came from LEITAT and Sensatec, which presented their work on testing specialised microbial cultures in bioelectrochemical systems for contaminated groundwater. The promising results showed how combining expertise from different fields can help tackle complex remediation challenges and move new solutions closer to practical application.

Beyond the presentations, the workshop provided a space for researchers from different projects to exchange ideas and discuss common challenges. The strong attendance and active discussions throughout the session showed the value of creating opportunities for collaboration across the European bioremediation community.

Looking Beyond MIBIREM

Alongside the consortium meeting and cluster activities, the week in Florence also created an opportunity for closer interaction between MIBIREM and other Horizon Europe projects working on complementary topics. One such occasion was a joint meeting between BIOSYSMO and MIBIREM, where researchers and partners from both consortia came together to share updates, discuss ongoing work and explore areas of common interest. Topics ranged from microbiome-based remediation and microbial consortia to environmental biotechnology and approaches for restoring contaminated soils and groundwater.

The discussions revealed many connections between the two projects. While BIOSYSMO presented its work on biosystem design and modelling approaches, MIBIREM shared experiences from microbiome-driven remediation strategies and field demonstrations. Particular attention was given to research on HCH (lindane) and chlorinated ethenes, where both projects have generated valuable knowledge and where further cooperation could help deepen our understanding of bioremediation processes.

Reflecting on the success of both the consortium meeting and BioRemid 2026, Prof. Simona Di Gregorio has often highlighted the importance of creating spaces where people from different backgrounds can meet, exchange ideas and build new collaborations. In her interview ahead of BioRemid 2026, she stressed that addressing environmental challenges requires not only scientific excellence, but also dialogue between researchers, industry, policymakers and society.

That spirit was visible throughout the week in Florence. Discussions that began during the MIBIREM consortium meeting naturally continued during BioRemid 2026, extending beyond individual projects and formal sessions and bringing together a broader community of researchers and practitioners working in bioremediation.

Yet the week in Florence was about much more than science, project updates, or conference presentations. Set against the backdrop of one of Europe’s most inspiring cultural and historical cities, the event created space for meaningful human connections. Conversations continued over shared meals, walks through historic streets, and moments spent appreciating Florence’s art, architecture, and heritage. These informal exchanges often proved just as valuable as the scheduled sessions, strengthening relationships, building trust, and opening the door to new ideas and collaborations.

Looking back, the week offered an opportunity not only to review progress, but also to reconnect with long-standing partners, establish new contacts, and reflect on the shared journey so far. As MIBIREM enters its final phase, the sixth Consortium Meeting  marked an important milestone, highlighting that lasting impact is created not only through scientific achievements, but through the relationships, trust, and shared commitment that bring those achievements to life.

 

Author: Ana Babić

RTDS Communication and Project Manager