‘Science for Business. Together we create innovations’ – this was the theme of the Forum attended by 20 companies and institutions interested in developing innovative solutions for the agro-food-biotech sector. The aim of the meeting, organised by the natureTECH Centre for Natural Products Research at Bialystok University of Technology and the Technology Transfer Centre at Bialystok University of Technology, was to build relationships between the business sector and researchers and accelerate the commercialisation of modern technologies developed at the University in order to bring them to the market. The event was inaugurated by Marta Kosior-Kazberuk, DSc, PhD, Eng., Rector of Bialystok University of Technology, who held honorary patronage for the event.
– The natureTECH Centre for Natural Products Research initiative aims to intensify activities related not only to the development but also to the dissemination of the best technologies in the areas of agrifood, biotechnology and food production – says Marta Kosior-Kazberuk, DSc, PhD, Eng., Rector of Bialystok University of Technology. – The Forum is intended primarily to serve the effective and precisely targeted integration of science and business. This approach will allow us to make even better and more effective use of the technologies developed at Bialystok University of Technology for the benefit of the development of the entire region.
Bialystok University of Technology trains innovators
The Forum was attended by Andrzej Borusiewicz, DSc, PhD, Eng. – Deputy President of the Agency for Restructuring and Modernisation of Agriculture, and Stefan Krajewski – Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, who emphasised the importance of knowledge transfer to the agricultural sector.
– We should use innovative solutions as well as scientific and business achievements to create joint projects – says Stefan Krajewski, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. – We have excellent universities and students who are eager to apply for various grants and successfully participate in competitions. Implementing their ideas can contribute to the development of modern agriculture. Young creators generate excellent solutions that we strive to recognise – for example, through the Podlaska Marka competition, where students of Bialystok University of Technology were recognised for using agricultural agri-food by-products, such as currant and apple pomace. Implementing projects of this type is a straightforward way to build a circular economy. This includes, among others, the creation of biodegradable packaging that reduces the amount of waste and is much cheaper to dispose of. It also involves the development of renewable energy sources and the smart implementation of technologies that will make farmers’ work easier and reduce production costs. I strongly believe that such networking meetings, bringing together many different areas, will deliver results that will benefit us all.
The event was attended by representatives of the University, companies, farms, as well as the Marshal’s Office of the Podlaskie Voivodeship, the Regional Agrochemical Station in Bialystok and the Podlaskie Regional Development Foundation.
Actions supporting regional development
The meeting featured an innovative format of 24 business speed dating rounds, each lasting only 3 minutes. These brief meetings facilitated efficient knowledge exchange and helped overcome barriers that often discourage smaller entrepreneurs from cooperating with universities.
– Entrepreneurs from the agro-food-biotech sector need a platform for sharing experience and discussing issues with researchers. As Bialystok University of Technology, we have responded to these expectations by proposing a business speed dating format – says Ewa Zapora, PhD, from the natureTECH Centre for Natural Products Research at Bialystok University of Technology. – We invited entrepreneurs, local government representatives and representatives of the Innovation Ecosystem Agricultural Valley 4.0 – the 4Podlaskie brand – to participate in the discussions. We want to listen to the needs of the entire market – from market leaders to small companies, which often wrongly fear that ‘big science’ is not intended for them. At the same time, we will present the University’s potential, research areas and degree programmes that prepare future professionals.
The development of the agro-food-biotech sector is in line with the key activities related to the smart specialisations of the Podlaskie Voivodeship. Bialystok University of Technology supports innovation for the regional economy by implementing, among others, within the framework of the 4Podlaskie initiative, a platform supporting certification and transparency using artificial intelligence, as well as by developing an advanced technology for producing feed additives using natural raw materials.
Bialystok University of Technology as a technology hub
How can scientific theory be turned into market success and local economy be supported? The key is advanced biotechnology. Bialystok University of Technology is becoming a technology hub that is a pillar of sustainable development for the agri-food sector. The University emphasises that its extensive research infrastructure should directly serve industry, while business networking should bring tangible results in the form of future innovative implementations.
– Our research combines theory with practice – from basic analyses to implementation projects – says Monika Kalinowska, DSc, PhD, Eng., Assoc. Prof. at Bialystok University of Technology, Head of the natureTECH Centre for Natural Products Research at Bialystok University of Technology. – We are able to design innovative dietary supplements based on regional organic raw materials, as well as modern soil-enhancing fertilisers created from post-production residues. In addition, we are developing advanced biotechnologies, including bioferments and biomaterials based on natural plant extracts. We have the potential to offer industry comprehensive, cross-sectoral technologies rather than individual products.
The Department of Agri-Food Engineering and Environmental Management at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences of Bialystok University of Technology has been working for years on the comprehensive utilisation of industrial waste, developing solutions for its effective processing into valuable raw materials, which perfectly aligns with the principles of the circular economy.
– We can utilise all post-production residues in many different ways: for food, feed, fertiliser or fuel purposes – says Sławomir Obidziński, DSc, PhD, Eng., Assoc. Prof. at Bialystok University of Technology from the Department of Agri-Food Engineering and Environmental Management at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences of Bialystok University of Technology. – By combining brewery and construction waste, we create valuable soil and lime fertilisers. We have also implemented technologies for producing fuel pellets with the addition of potato flour and rice cake production waste. The same raw materials can be used as components of feed mixtures or – due to their valuable nutritional properties – as a basis for producing fibre and other innovative food products.
natureTECH was initiated by researchers from the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences of Bialystok University of Technology: Monika Kalinowska, DSc, PhD, Eng., Assoc. Prof. at Bialystok University of Technology, Sławomir Obidziński, DSc, PhD, Eng., Assoc. Prof. at Bialystok University of Technology, and Ewa Zapora, PhD. This interdisciplinary research and development centre conducts research into, among others, natural products of plant and fungal origin, feed additives, the application of biotechnology in food production, the circular economy and innovative solutions supporting sustainable development.
The 1st natureTECH Forum was held on 22 June 2026.
Organisers:
natureTECH – Centre for Natural Products Research at Bialystok University of Technology
Technology Transfer Centre at Bialystok University of Technology
Author: Magdalena Grzęda-Zajkowska
See the photo gallery from the event:
