Teagasc showcases sustainable bioeconomy innovations
An Taoiseach and ministers visited Teagasc’s stand at the Global Bioeconomy Summit to explore cutting-edge research on sustainable plant-based food ingredients. The event in Dublin highlighted Ireland’s role in advancing circular bioeconomy projects with international partners.
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Teagasc Agricultural News
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⏱️ 2 min read
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD, accompanied by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon TD and Minister of State Noel Grealish TD, visited the Teagasc exhibition stand at the Global Bioeconomy Summit 2026 in Dublin. During the visit, they engaged with senior researchers including Teagasc Director Professor Frank O’Mara, Professor Mark Fenelon, and Dr Órlaith Ní Choncubhair, who is also a member of the International Advisory Council on Global Bioeconomy.
The delegation was presented with innovative research demonstrating how crops such as faba beans and lupins can be transformed into sustainable, high-value food ingredients like protein concentrates, isolates, flours, and fibres. This work utilises specialised fractionation facilities funded by Enterprise Ireland, enabling the extraction and recovery of valuable components from plant materials.
Further highlights included Teagasc’s involvement in the U-Protein project, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the VALPRO Path project supported by the EU’s Horizon Europe programme. Both initiatives focus on developing sustainable plant protein production and creating new value chains to reduce European reliance on imported proteins. The Taoiseach also met with researcher Shay Hannon at the Government of Ireland stand to discuss AIMBIO, an all-island marine biorefinery project aimed at creating circular bioeconomy opportunities for coastal businesses. Professor O’Mara emphasised that these collaborations have strong potential to open new markets for Irish farmers and food enterprises while promoting sustainable resource use.
The Global Bioeconomy Summit, which took place on 20th and 21st October at the Convention Centre Dublin, gathered global leaders in policy, research, and industry to explore bioeconomy solutions for economic growth, climate action, and food security. Hosted during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the event was organised by the International Advisory Council on Global Bioeconomy in partnership with Irish government departments.
The delegation was presented with innovative research demonstrating how crops such as faba beans and lupins can be transformed into sustainable, high-value food ingredients like protein concentrates, isolates, flours, and fibres. This work utilises specialised fractionation facilities funded by Enterprise Ireland, enabling the extraction and recovery of valuable components from plant materials.
Further highlights included Teagasc’s involvement in the U-Protein project, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the VALPRO Path project supported by the EU’s Horizon Europe programme. Both initiatives focus on developing sustainable plant protein production and creating new value chains to reduce European reliance on imported proteins. The Taoiseach also met with researcher Shay Hannon at the Government of Ireland stand to discuss AIMBIO, an all-island marine biorefinery project aimed at creating circular bioeconomy opportunities for coastal businesses. Professor O’Mara emphasised that these collaborations have strong potential to open new markets for Irish farmers and food enterprises while promoting sustainable resource use.
The Global Bioeconomy Summit, which took place on 20th and 21st October at the Convention Centre Dublin, gathered global leaders in policy, research, and industry to explore bioeconomy solutions for economic growth, climate action, and food security. Hosted during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the event was organised by the International Advisory Council on Global Bioeconomy in partnership with Irish government departments.
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