The team from the Agricultural University of Plovdiv won the national round of the BISC-E 2026

On June 10, 2026, the Agricultural University – Plovdiv hosted the national round of the European student competition, Bio-based Innovation Student Challenge Europe (BISC-E). The event took place in the University's New Building and for the fourth consecutive year, brought together students and young researchers presenting innovative ideas in the fields of bioeconomy, circular economy, and sustainable development.

BISC-E is an initiative of the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) that promotes the development of sustainable solutions based on renewable biological resources and encourages entrepreneurial thinking among young people. Participants present projects related to green technologies, efficient resource utilization, and innovations supporting a sustainable future.

The competition was officially opened by Prof. Dr. Dimo Atanasov, Vice-Rector for Scientific and International Affairs at AU and National Coordinator of BISC-E 2026. In his welcoming address, he emphasized the importance of the initiative for fostering young talent in the field of bio-based technologies: "For another consecutive year, the Agricultural University has the pleasure of coordinating this unique European competition for students and PhD candidates in the field of bio-based innovations and technologies. This year, I hope that a Bulgarian team will win the European final, as I can see tremendous enthusiasm from our side." In conclusion, Prof. Dr. Atanasov called on everyone - from industry representatives to end consumers - to be more responsible toward natural resources and to contribute through their actions to building a more sustainable society and economy.

This year's edition featured four teams from leading Bulgarian scientific and educational institutions:

• “Bio Pack” – Agricultural University – Plovdiv, presenting an innovation for the production of cups and bags from biocorn materials;
• “Business Club – Trakia University” – Trakia University – Stara Zagora, with the project “Artificial Intelligence-Based System for Household Waste Recycling”;
• “Bio Entrepreneurs” – University of Food Technologies Plovdiv, presenting ECOffee, an innovative coffee vending machine with integrated recycling of used cups and coffee grounds, as well as a mobile application encouraging the use of reusable cups;
• GROW (Green Resilience from Ocean Waves) – Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology, with the project “From Ocean to Field: Brown Seaweed-Based Biostimulants for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security under Climate Change Conditions”.

The projects were evaluated by a distinguished jury consisting of: Mr. Juan Ignacio Camio Bavasso - Acting Head of Mission a.i. of the Embassy of Argentina in Bulgaria; Ms. Maria Belcheva, Mayor of the Municipality of Kuklen; Prof. Dr. Maria Varadinov from the Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, Portugal and Mr. Svetoslav Lavchiev from the innovative company Regesta Ltd.

Following the presentations and evaluation of all projects, the jury selected “Bio Pack” from the Agricultural University – Plovdiv as the winner. The project impressed the jury with its practical applicability, innovative approach and potential to introduce sustainable solutions into everyday life through the use of renewable raw materials.

Prof. Dr. Dimo Atanasov presented certificates of participation and gifts to all contestants and their mentors in recognition of their ingenuity, scientific commitment and contribution to the advancement of bio-based innovations.

With this victory, the team from Agricultural University – Plovdiv will represent Bulgaria at the European BISC-E final, where they will compete against the national winners from the other participating countries. The award is a recognition of the students’ creativity, scientific potential and entrepreneurial spirit, as well as of the consistent efforts of the Agricultural University to promote innovation in the fields of bioeconomy and sustainable development.