CircleBio-P Project
CircleBio-P is a Circular Biobased Pilot Scale Demonstration delivered in collaboration with industry and is one of the ongoing circular bioeconomy projects focused on scaling innovative bioprocessing technologies. It is led by the Circular Agriculture and Biotechnology Group (CircAB) at the Centre for Applied Bioscience Research (CABR), based at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS).
Project Title: CircleBio-P: Circular Biobased Pilot Scale Demonstration
Funding: €1 million from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) 2022 Policy and Strategic Studies Research Call, grant agreement Reference No: 2022PSS142.
Timeframe: May 2024 to April 2027
About the CircleBio-P Project
The CircleBio-P project shows how two eco-friendly processes for production of biopharma and bioplastic products as well as, anaerobic digestion and biochar production. The project is designed to move from research concept to real-world demonstration, starting at CircAB facilities at CABR and later at the National Bioeconomy Campus. This project marks an important change from traditional linear methods to more sustainable, circular approaches.
The circular bioeconomy integrates eco-friendly practices for reusing resources to achieve zero waste, zero emissions, and minimal effluent production. With a large volume of by-products generated by food-processing industries, Ireland is well positioned to benefit from the significant potential for a thriving circular bioeconomy.
The European Commission emphasises that expanding and promoting these activities is essential for advancing sustainable production and improving societal well-being.
The bioeconomy involves producing renewable biological resources and converting them into bio-based products, food, animal feed, and bioenergy. It is a major sector in Europe, employing about 17.4 million people and generating over €2 trillion annually.
The CircleBio-P project will demonstrate a comprehensive bioeconomy innovation model at the National Bioeconomy Campus in Lisheen, Co. Tipperary, using two example projects and bringing together key stakeholders at a large-scale demonstration facility.
The goal of this project is to drive innovation and create opportunities for building relationships and partnerships that enable circularity. The project will demonstrate how Ireland can address the growing need for sustainable processes.
Project Aims & Objectives
Demonstrate two sustainable bioprocesses (anaerobic digestion and biochar production) at pilot scale using advanced facilities
Deliver circular solutions for food-processing by-products that are ready for implementation
Provide a comprehensive innovation model for the Irish circular bioeconomy
Build partnerships and collaboration to drive circularity across the sector
Generate technical and economic insights to de-risk investment and guide process design
Support EU Bioeconomy and Green Deal objectives by enabling the scale-up of innovative production technologies
The EU Bioeconomy Strategy is part of the wider EU Green Deal, guiding Europe through a fair transition to a sustainable society. For the bioeconomy to thrive, we must empower the industry and it’s biomass producers, who are the shareholders in these industries, to scale technologies.
CircleBio-P project directly addresses SRIA Strategic Priority 2.1.2: “Deploy innovative production technologies” and the key action: “Shared infrastructures such as pilot plants and demo biorefinery facilities that provide test rigs and standards for biomass producers and biorefineries.”
Advancing these technologies, such as modular biorefinery systems and pilot-scale bioprocessing units, requires access to pilot-scale facilities. These facilities enable deeper technical and economic insights that inform process design and business planning. Scaling trials deliver essential data that reduces investment risk and accelerates innovation.
CABR Role in CircleBio-P Project
The Circular Agriculture and Biotechnology Group (CircAB) at the Centre for Applied Bioscience Research (CABR) is a core partner in CircleBio-P. CircAB leads sustainable process development, pilot-scale demonstration, and life-cycle assessment. The group ensures scientific rigor, supports technical upscaling, and engages stakeholders to facilitate the adoption of circular bioeconomy practices in Ireland’s food-processing industries.
Dr. Lena Madden is the coordinator of CircleBio–P and CircAB group lead, coordinating the group’s activities and contributing to the project’s innovation and demonstration goals.
Contact Details
Project Leads:
Dr Lena Madden
CircleBio-P coordinator and the lead of CircAB group at CABR, TUS
Email: Lena.Madden@tus.ie
Dr Patrick Murray
Principal Investigator (PI) at CircleBio-P, CircAB and CABR, Head of Research, Technological University of the Shannon (TUS)
Moylish Park, Limerick V94 EC5T, Ireland
Email: Patrick.Murray@tus.ie
Partners
The Technological University of the Shannon lead this project (TUS) in collaboration with University College Dublin (UCD), Trinity College Dublin (TCD), Irish Bioeconomy Foundation, Tirlán, Dawn Meats, Arigna Fuels, and Green Generation Ireland.
