Teagasc showcases innovation at bioeconomy summit
An Taoiseach and key ministers visited Teagasc's stand at the Global Bioeconomy Summit to explore pioneering research on sustainable food ingredients. The event in Dublin highlighted projects transforming plant and marine biomass into valuable products for Ireland’s agri-food sector.
Source:
Teagasc Agricultural News
•
⏱️ 2 min read
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD attended the Global Bioeconomy Summit 2026 in Dublin on Wednesday, 21 October, visiting the Teagasc exhibition stand to engage with cutting-edge research fostering a sustainable and circular bioeconomy in Ireland.
He was joined by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon TD and Minister of State Noel Grealish TD. Together, they met with Teagasc Director Professor Frank O’Mara, Head of the Teagasc Food Research Programme Professor Mark Fenelon, and Senior Research Officer Dr Órlaith Ní Choncubhair, a member of the International Advisory Council on Global Bioeconomy (IACGB), who played a key role in organising the summit.
The delegation observed demonstrations showcasing Teagasc’s development of sustainable, high-value food ingredients derived from crops like faba beans and lupins. Samples included protein concentrates, isolates, flours, and fibres produced through specialised fractionation technology funded by Enterprise Ireland. Additionally, European Commissioner Jessika Roswall visited the stand, learning about projects such as U-Protein and VALPRO Path, which aim to enhance sustainable protein production and reduce Europe’s reliance on imports. Meanwhile, the AIMBIO project was presented at the Government of Ireland stand, highlighting an all-island effort to convert marine biomass into valuable bio-based products, promoting a circular blue bioeconomy.
Professor Frank O’Mara emphasised the importance of these collaborative initiatives for creating new markets and opportunities for Irish farmers and food enterprises while optimising natural resources. The summit, hosted at the Convention Centre Dublin during Ireland’s EU Council Presidency, gathered global leaders to discuss bioeconomy’s role in economic sustainability, climate action, and food security.
He was joined by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon TD and Minister of State Noel Grealish TD. Together, they met with Teagasc Director Professor Frank O’Mara, Head of the Teagasc Food Research Programme Professor Mark Fenelon, and Senior Research Officer Dr Órlaith Ní Choncubhair, a member of the International Advisory Council on Global Bioeconomy (IACGB), who played a key role in organising the summit.
The delegation observed demonstrations showcasing Teagasc’s development of sustainable, high-value food ingredients derived from crops like faba beans and lupins. Samples included protein concentrates, isolates, flours, and fibres produced through specialised fractionation technology funded by Enterprise Ireland. Additionally, European Commissioner Jessika Roswall visited the stand, learning about projects such as U-Protein and VALPRO Path, which aim to enhance sustainable protein production and reduce Europe’s reliance on imports. Meanwhile, the AIMBIO project was presented at the Government of Ireland stand, highlighting an all-island effort to convert marine biomass into valuable bio-based products, promoting a circular blue bioeconomy.
Professor Frank O’Mara emphasised the importance of these collaborative initiatives for creating new markets and opportunities for Irish farmers and food enterprises while optimising natural resources. The summit, hosted at the Convention Centre Dublin during Ireland’s EU Council Presidency, gathered global leaders to discuss bioeconomy’s role in economic sustainability, climate action, and food security.
3 views