The PHOTOREFINERIES CONFERENCE is an event initiated within the framework of the European COST Action PURPLEGAIN (CA21146), a project funded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) programme.
The PURPLEGAIN COST Action aims to establish a European network of scientists and experts, particularly those focusing on the fundamentals and applications of purple phototrophic bacteria (PPB) for resource recovery. This network fosters information exchange and facilitates technology and knowledge transfer between academia and industry in this specific biotechnology field. The Action addresses resource recovery from wastewater and organic waste in both open and closed environments, through single-step as well as integrated processes. Finally, PURPLEGAIN seeks to contribute to the advancement of a sustainable circular bioeconomy at the global level.
Building on the vision of PURPLEGAIN, the PHOTOREFINERIES CONFERENCE expands the scope beyond the anoxygenic photosynthesis and works on the development of photo-driven processes in sustainable biorefineries, bringing together scientists, engineers, and experts working in the fields of microbial fundamentals, photocatalysis, microbial photosynthesis, artificial photosynthesis, photo(bio)reactor development, mathematical modeling, and biorefinery processes. The focus of the conference is on photo-activated processes for sustainable production of commodities using light as the common encounter point. Special attention is given to microbial and chemical processes for the conversion of residual streams into high value-added products such as polyhydroxyalkanoates, microbial protein, hydrogen, carotenoids, terpenoids, corrinoids, organic acids, coenzyme Q10, and 5-aminolevulinic acid, along with biomass applications for energy and fertilizers.
Following the success of the 1st PHOTOREFINERIES CONFERENCE, held at the University of Valladolid, Spain, in 2024 and attended by over 170 participants from 26 countries, the 2nd edition will be hosted as a 3-day event from 2nd to 4th September 2026 at the University of Novi Sad, Serbia.
By fostering dialogue across disciplines and expertise, the 2nd PHOTOREFINERIES CONFERENCE provides a platform for efficient discussions on the latest scientific discoveries, industrial applications, and future perspectives - while accelerating the development of sustainable pathways and innovative solutions based on light-driven processes in photo-refineries.
We warmly invite you to join us and look forward to welcoming you to the University of Novi Sad.
