As part of the European COPILOT project, the Italian CDMO facility Biosphere is pleased to open the doors of its biotech Pilot and Demo Infrastructure for a one-day event focused on promoting biotechnology as a fundamental tool for developing the European bioeconomy.
The event aims to connect all relevant stakeholders in the bioeconomy network. Guests will be welcomed for a morning conference at the quiet and historically renovated University Residential Centre of Bertinoro (Ce.U.B.) fortress.
The agenda includes a coffee break and a walking lunch, providing a unique opportunity to establish new connections with national and international players in the bioeconomy sectors, including food, cosmetics, agritech, household products, detergents, and innovative materials.
The day will continue with a study visit to Biosphere’s headquarters and pilot facility, located 10 km away. A shuttle bus service will be available to transport participants to the site of the visit, where guests will have the chance to explore how biotech ideas can be developed and scaled up to an industrially relevant level.
PROGRAMME
| 9:00 – 9:30 | Registrations of participants |
| 9:30 – 9:45 | Welcome message – Mario Riciputi, President of Biosphere |
| 9:45 – 10:00 | The circular bioeconomy: scale-up and new markets – Mario Bonaccorso, Director of Cluster Spring |
| 10:00 – 10:10 | The strength of our European pilot and demo infrastructure ecosystem – Stef Denayer, Stakeholder Relations Manager at Pilots4U |
| 10:10 – 10:40 | Scale-up in a nutshell, the Biosphere approach to biotech process development – Marco Pistocchi, General Manager at Biosphere |
| 10:40 – 11:10 | Coffee break & networking |
| Training session: Biotech success case studies in the field of industry, food, agriculture and cosmetic | |
| 11:15 – 11:30 | NordicBlue: A sustainable future for the denim industry – Inês Gil, Scientist at NordicBlue |
| 11:30 – 11:45 | Pioneering Sustainable and Innovative Ingredients – Cesar F. Trejo, Lead Scientist at Roelmi HPC |
| 11:45 – 12:00 | Development of heterotrophic microalgal strains: new frontiers for food and agriculture applications – Niccolò Bassi,Technical & Customer Manager at Biosyntex S.r.l. |
| 12:00 – 12:15 | Closing message – Stef Denayer, Stakeholder Relations Manager at Pilots4U |
| 12:15 – 13:15 | Walking Lunch and networking |
| Shuttle transfer to Biosphere Headquarters | |
| 14:00 – 16:00 | Study Visit to Biosphere Headquarters and Pilot Facility |
At the end of the site visit, a shuttle bus will be available from Biosphere to Forlì train station.
COPILOT project is a CBE-JU CSA project that will update, expand and make the database of Open Access Pilot and Demo Infrastructures for the European Bioeconomy future-proof and self-sustainable through co-creation.
The event is free of charge with a maximum attendance of two people per company/organization.
Registration is mandatory. Please book your ticket here: https://forms.gle/hBLUsvc4xk1gtE2Z9
| DATE | 20.05.2025 |
| LOCATION | Conference: University Residential Centre of Bertinoro, Via Frangipane 6, Bertinoro (FC), Italy |
| Study Visit: Via dei Senoni, 12, 47122 Forlì (FC) Italy | |
| Shuttle bus transfer from the conference location to Biosphere is included. At the end of the site visit, the shuttle bus will also be available from Biosphere to Forlì train station. | |
| CONTACTS Beatrice Mongili <beatrice.mongili@biospheresrl.it> Federica Gasperoni <federica.gasperoni@biospheresrl.it> | |
TRAVEL INFORMATION AND ACCOMMODATION
Travel information
The conference will be held in Bertinoro, one of the nicest medioeval villages, recognised as the village of hospitality and wine. Bertinoro is located half-way from Cesena and Forlì, two of the main cities of the region.
To reach it as first choice we recommend to book a flight to Bologna and reach the village by train and taxi.
Once you get to Bologna airport you have to reach the “Marconi Express” station, located at the first floor of the airport. Marconi Express is the monorail train that will take you to Bologna central station in 7 minutes.
Tickets cost 12.8 euros, and you can buy them at the automatic vending machines, on the website, or you can use directly your credit card on the contactless reader located at the monorail platform.
From Bologna you can find a train to Cesena or Forlì every 30 minutes. Tickets are available here. Once you reach Cesena or Forlì train station, taxis are available outside.
Cesena – Taxi number: +39 0547 610710
Forlì – Taxi number: +39 0543 31111 or download the app:
Alternatively, you can hire a car at Bologna airport (for more information click here).
The second suggested choice is to book a flight to Milan and then reach Cesena or Forlì by train. Services for the fast train tracks are offered by Trenitalia and Italo.
The event organizers will be glad to support you in the organization of your trip.
Accommodation
To complete your stay and fully enjoy the fascinating location hosting the event, we strongly recommend booking your overnight stay at the Bertinoro fortress Guesthouse.
The fortress, which was converted into the University Residential Centre (Ce.U.B.) of the University of Bologna twenty years ago, has set very high standards for international conferences, events, and meetings.
Within its historic walls, dating back to the 10th century, guests can experience the authentic Italian spirit of hospitality, combined with genuine Italian cuisine, all set against a scenic landscape.
Ce.U.B. offers accommodation in the main Bishop’s Fortress (16 single rooms, 5 double rooms) and in the former Seminary, now converted into a guest house (32 single rooms and 33 double rooms).
All rooms are equipped with a private bathroom, Wi-Fi, phone, TV, and hairdryer.
Continental breakfast is included.
You can book your stay at Ce.U.B. here: https://www.ceub.it/events/event/copilot-project-study-visit-to-the-italian-pilot-facility-biosphere/
Other accommodations in Bertinoro:
Hotel Panorama – Piazza della Libertà, 11, 47032 Bertinoro, Italy
Access the Preliminary Programme and Travel Information by clicking on the button below.
