Workshop 2026

Boosting the use of PPB as innovative food and feed ingredients: From metabolism to health-promoting effects

 

19 – 20th March 2026 | Mons – Belgium

REGISTER NOW and discover the technologies transforming the food and feed sectors
REGISTER NOW

Call for participation | Send your Abstract | Program | Speakers | Venue | Transportation | Accommodation

Call for participation

This is a call for participating to the joined workshop organized by the Purple4Life Horizon EU project and the COST action (CA21146) – PURPLEGAIN.

This workshop is the 10th Workshop of PurpleGain and is organised in the frame of WG 1. The workshop will take place the 19-20 March 2026, in Mons – Belgium

We invite participations as well as abstract contributions (for Oral and Pitches presentations) to this interdisciplinary workshop from:

  • PhD students & post-doctoral researchers working on PPB-related technologies.
  • Professors & academic researchers exploring PPB applications.
  •  Start-ups & entrepreneurs developing PPB-based products and processes.
  • Technology developers & innovators working on PPB solutions for resource recovery.

KEY DATES

Communication and confirmation: 15th of February 2026.

Due date for Abstract Submission: 15th of January 2026

Registration open: 1st of December 2026

Final date to apply for funding: 15th January 2026

Open Registration until 15th of January 2026

Send your abstract

We are looking for a broad range of PPB-based innovations, including but not limited to:

  • Fundamental or applied research on metabolism of PPB
  • Strategy to improve PPB productivity both at metabolic and process level.
  • Use of PPB high-value feed and protein-rich biomass for aquaculture and livestock.
  • Strategy to improve feed quality in aquaculture using natural biomass.
  • Natural source of health promoting ingredient boosting CoQ10 metabolism in human
  • Functional food and nutraceutical applications, such as antioxidant and carotenoid production.
  • Market access for PPB based feed and food product
  • Regulatory aspect applying onPPB based feed and food product.

If you have a breakthrough concept, a lab-scale prototype, or a commercial pilot, we want to hear from you!

Abstracts should be maximum 350 words outlining your work, technology, or business case, including:

  • Technology/solution description (process, application, or product focus).
  • Key technical, regulatory, or investment challenges.
  • Potential market impact and sustainability benefits.
  • What you aim to gain from the workshop
Download Abstract Template

Financial Support

Contributors and attendees may apply for financial support through the COST Action PurpleGain

Program

19th of March
Time Title Speaker
9:00–9:30 Registration
9:30–9:40 Opening Remarks
Session I : Metabolism for an improved PPB production
9:40–10:40 Light capture in PPB: fundamentals and perspectives Andrew Hitchcock, University of Sheffield, UK
10:40–11:00 Selected abstract (1×)
10:50–11:10 Coffee Break
11:10–12:30 Selected abstracts (4×)
12:30–14:00 Lunch Break + Poster session
Session II : Regulatory aspect of PPB introduction in feed/food market
14:00–14:45 Road map to the novel food Mari Eskola, Medfile
14:45–15:30 Feed additive market : regulatory aspect TBD
15:30–16:00 Round table on regulatory challenges – policy evolution
16:00–16:30 Coffee Break
16:30–17:30 Selected abstract (3×)
17:30–18:00 Poster Pitches (4–5) – Selected from abstracts
19:00 Walking dinner and networking
20th of March


20th of March

Time Title Speaker
9:00–9:30 Registration
9:30–9:40 Opening Remarks
Session I : PPB and feed product
9:40–10:40 Innovative ingredient for improving feed in aquaculture Katerina Kousoulaki, Nofima, Norway
10:40–11:00 Selected abstract (1×)
10:50–11:10 Coffee Break
11:10–12:30 Selected abstracts (4×)
12:30–13:30 Lunch Break + Poster session
Session II : PPB as Human health-promoting ingredient – added value of microbial biomass
13:30–14:30 CoQ10 and human health Plácido Navas, UPO, Spain
14:30–15:10 Selected abstract (2×)
15:10–15:30 Coffee Break
15:30–17:00 Selected abstracts (4×)
17:00–18:00 Concluding remarks and networking drink

Speakers

Dr Andy Hitchcock

Andrew Hitchcock

Royal Society Research Fellow/ Lecturer of School of Biosciences. University of Sheffield, UK

Mari Eskola - Dr, Senior Regulatory Affairs Expert at Medfiles

Mari Eskola

Dr, Senior Regulatory Affairs Expert at Medfiles, Finland

Katerina Kousoulaki

Katerina Kousoulaki

Senior researcher in nutrition at Nofim, Norway

Plácido Navas

Plácido Navas

Senior researcher. Andalusian Centre for Developmental Biology (CABD) UPO

Venue

All conferences will take place on the campus “Plaine de Nimy” of UMONS, in building Vésale, avenue du champs de mars 6, 7000 Mons, Belgium

Transportation information
If your flight arrives at Charleroi Airport (Brussels South)

If you arrive at Brussels South Charleroi Airport, you have two main options to reach Mons.

  1. Shuttle Service: The most affordable is a shuttle bus service that connects the airport directly to Mons in approximately 50 minutes, with a ticket price of €13.50. Once you arrive at the drop-off point in Mons, it takes about 15 to 20 minutes on foot to reach the city centre. More information: https://www.flibco.com/en.
  2. Taxis: Alternatively, taxis and ride-sharing services are available for a faster, though more expensive, journey. Prices generally range between €50 and €100 depending on the time and provider. Advance booking is strongly recommended. We can recommend Navette Devos. (based in Mons).
If your flight arrives at Brussels Airport
  1. Train: If your flight lands at Brussels Airport, you can take a direct train to Mons departing straight from the airport, with services running approximately every hour. The train ride takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, and a standard adult ticket costs around €25. You can consult schedules and purchase tickets via the SNCB website.
  2. Shuttle Service or Taxi: Shuttle services or taxis are also available. Prices and availability may vary and advance booking is strongly recommended. We can recommend Navette Devos.
Accommodation information

UMONS recommends the following hotels, conveniently located in or near the city centre

Van der Valk Hotel Mons Congrès & Spa

Located just outside the city centre, the Van der Valk Hotel Mons Congrès is ideally situated right across from the new Mons railway station. It is a 15-minute walk or a short 5-minute drive from the meeting location.

Address: Avenue Mélina Mercouri 7, 7000 Mons

Hotel B&B centre

Located near the city centre, within a 5-minute walking distance from the meeting location and about a 15-minute walk from the train station.

Address : Rue des Arbalestriers, 112 – 7000 Mons

Website: B&B HOTEL Mons Centre: a comfortable hotel in the centre of Mons

Bookings: bb_7518@hotelbb.com.

Martin’s Dream Hotel**

A charming 4-star hotel located in the heart of Mons’ historic city centre within a 13-minute walking distance from the meeting location and from the train station.

Address: Rue de la Grande Triperie 17, 7000 Mons

Website: Martin’s Dream Hotel

More information

For further information you may contact,

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