Experts across Europe prepared info sheets about various bioeconomy topics, with the involvement of our BRT Head - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík.  Experts involved in the INTERREG BIOECO-UP project have carefully selected topics to highlight the importance of the bioeconomy and its impact on the environment. If you want to discover more about biomaterials, biogas, or sustainable businesses, check out our info sheets!

More information on the project can also be found here:  

www.interreg-central.eu/projects/bioeco-up.

The BIOECO-UP project supports the development and recognition of circular bioeconomy and value changes, empowers citizens to become bioeconomy consumers, and enhances the implementation of transnational policy analysis of bioeconomy measures. In addition, the BIOECO-UP supports several Agriculture Ministries members of the BOOST4BIOEAST Initiative (Associated partners). More details are available at https://bioeast.eu/objectives/.

You can download the info sheets HERE and HERE[SH1] . Enjoy!

About the project:

BIOECO-UP - Circular BioEconomy Market Uptake and Policy Support in Central Europe

The bioeconomy concept seeks to replace fossil resources with renewable raw materials in as many areas and applications as possible. The BIOECO-UP project widely establishes this concept across central Europe. The partners will design new circular value chains for the bioeconomy and change consumer behaviour. They will also support the policy level to push ahead with the transformation.

Stay tuned for more updates on the BIOECO-UP project!

For more details on BRT activities, follow us on social media for regular updates and highlights.

The BRT is pleased to announce that we are now a member of the Artificial Intelligence Research Network - Through Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík. The Artificial Intelligence Research Network serves as a dynamic platform for connecting AI researchers worldwide. It particularly focuses on chatbots and large language models. By joining this network, the BRT gains access to a wealth of resources and expertise in artificial intelligence.

Water is a fundamental and irreplaceable resource for life on Earth. In this new paper, we show the consequences of water security. The Biogas Research Team is continuously mapping the situation and outlining roadmaps for the post-war recovery period. The Russia-Ukraine war, which began in February 2022 and persists in 2024, has significantly damaged Ukraine's water resources and infrastructure. This paper examines the ecological and economic consequences of the conflict on water bodies and outlines prospects for post-war recovery in the context of sustainable development.

Global climate change and the associated risks to food security are driving the expansion of irrigated agriculture in the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and Europe. An increase in the share of irrigated agriculture can increase the productivity of agricultural land by an average of 25-35%. There are still unresolved issues regarding the feasibility and effectiveness of applying gypsum to haplic chernozems with a low degree of salinity. In the context of irrigated agriculture in Ukraine, agromeliorative measures with the use of chemical reclamation, which involves the introduction of substances of natural or man-made origin into the soil, are widespread. The use of phosphogypsum can become one of the important directions for the reclamation and amelioration of soils contaminated due to direct and indirect military actions. It is also possible to highlight the features of phosphogypsum that allow it to be used for the development of ecosystem services:

Dr. Eduardo Duque Dussán earned his Ph.D. in Sustainable Technologies from the Czech University of Life Sciences (ČZU), Prague, specializing in the design and evaluation of a Hybrid Solar Tunnel Dryer for Parchment Coffee in Colombia (2020-2023). His academic journey includes an MBA from ESNECA Business School (2020-2021) and an MSc in Chemical and Process Engineering from the Czech Technical University (2017-2019).

To broaden and develop the professional skills of our team members and widen their scientific network and cultural experiences, the BRT encourages its students to embark on internships. These internships are connected to their scientific journey and enable them to have in field experiences which is critical to their future careers. The internships help to hone their communication, time management, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership skills, all of which are highly valued assets in young scientists.

The BOOST4BIOEAST project kick-off meeting, held on March 5th and 6th, 2024, at the Research Centre for Natural Sciences in Budapest, Hungary, marked a significant milestone in advancing bioeconomic initiatives across the BIOEAST region. When looking back on the BIOEAST project, BOOST4BIOEAST is an important continuation of bioeconomy efforts.

The young researchers of the Biogas Research Team (BRT) are diligently working to increase the visibility of the success and potential of bioenergy sources across the globe. From Indonesia to Vietnam to Ethiopia, their efforts to highlight the impact and importance of incorporating renewable energy technologies are creating change worldwide.  

As the head of a multidisciplinary, international, and gender-inclusive research team, I feel a deep sense of pride and admiration for the remarkable women who contribute to science. International Women's Day seems like an opportune moment to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of female scientists and researchers, both those in the BRT, those who shape minds and career paths at universities, those in research centers, the private sector and women in history as a whole.

Docent Hynek Roubík se řídí přesvědčením, že „odpady jsou problém, výzva a příležitost všude“. Proto se dal na dráhu environmentálního a ekologického inženýrství v oblasti odpadového hospodářství. Výzkumu se věnuje na katedře udržitelných technologií Fakulty tropického zemědělství, kde také své vědomosti předává mladým doktorandům. V polovině ledna letošního roku se stal proděkanem této fakulty pro vědu, výzkum a doktorské studium.

A new e-book was published in Frontiers for Young Minds. This E-Book also contains one of our papers called: Poo is Precious.

The CEE2ACT B2B TOOL, developed by Anteja ECG, is a simple and powerful platform that helps you find the right partners to achieve your goals. Using advanced algorithms and expert insights, it can match you with the right companies and experts to collaborate with. Learn more here.

The business-to-business matchmaking online tool enables stakeholders (SMEs, large companies, R&D institutions, universities, etc.) to build partnerships that will result in concrete projects or cooperation. Using advanced algorithms and expert insights, it can match you with the right companies and experts to collaborate with. This tool is open to everyone for free, and you can access it via this link.

Depending on your challenge, we will match you with:

– Buyers of waste and by-products

– Life-cycle assessment analysts

– Solution providers

– Sustainability consultants

– Partners for new projects

What’s in it for you?

The B2B tool will help you find potential partners for your new sustainability projects through our vast network of stakeholders and discover appropriate technological projects that will lower CO2 emissions and raise profits at the same time.

It is a unique opportunity to get help from the project’s advisory team and move faster towards implementing solutions that will improve your sustainability reporting.

The BRT is pleased to announce that Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík, founder and leader of the Biogas Research Team (BRT) at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU), has been appointed as the new Vice-Dean of Science, Research and Doctoral Studies at FTZ. To commemorate the occasion and get his insights into this exciting new role, our BRT Communications Manager, Dr. Stacy Hammond, conducted an interview to capture his thoughts on his present and long-term visions for this new role. Enjoy the interview!

On December 18th, 2023, the Biogas Research Team indulged in our annual end-of-year general meeting and team party. The event was filled with highlights, from our yearly overview of achievements, team projects, and research activities to food, fun and games. One of the outstanding moments of the day was the annual BRT award ceremony, where the most valuable team members were recognised for their research achievements and willingness to go above and beyond to help others.   

Dr. Viktoriia completed her BSc. And MSc studies specializing in "Ecology and Environmental Protection at the Sumy State University (SumDU), Ukraine. She then pursued her Doctoral studies at SSU in collaboration with the Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague (CZU) under the  Biogas Research Team (BRT), obtaining her PhD degree in the field of "Environmental Protection Technologies under the research topic "Environmentally Safe Utilization of Waste for Energy Purposes in Environmental Protection Technologies" with a specific focus on anaerobic digestion of waste for biogas production, with the possibility of using chemical industry waste, such as phosphogypsum (PG) as a mineral additive. Throughout her academic journey, she gained experience through internships in biogas laboratories in Ukraine (Regional Office of Water Resources in Sumy region), the Czech Republic (CZU), Germany (TU Bergakademie Freiberg), and Austria (IFA-Tulln - BOKU), and through participation in the realization of Ukraine-Czech projects and other international projects within the BRT. For the past three years, she was the Head of SumDU’s Faculty Scientific Association of Students (Postgraduates, Doctoral Students, and Young Scientists). During her postgraduate studies, under the guidance of her supervisors (Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yelizaveta Chernysh and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík).

Dr. Eduardo Duque Dussán - The 2023 BRT AWARD WINNER Dr. Eduardo Duque Dussán earned his Ph.D. in Sustainable Technologies from the Czech University of Life Sciences (CZU), Prague, specializing in the design and evaluation of a Hybrid Solar Tunnel Dryer for Parchment Coffee in Colombia (2020-2023). His academic journey includes an MBA from ESNECA Business School (2020-2021), an MSc in Chemical and Process Engineering from the Czech Technical University (2017-2019) and a Mechanical Engineering undergraduate degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Manizales.

The BRT is pleased to announce the development of its new initiative, the Agri Policy Lab. To get more insight into the development of this exciting new initiative, we interviewed Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík who is an expert in organic waste management and sustainable technologies, the leader of the Biogas Research Team (BRT) at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU), an agriculture enthusiast with a passion for his work and the second-youngest member of the Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Bioeconomy platform of the Czech Republic. He does research, especially in Waste Management, Environmental and Ecological Engineering and is an editorial board member of several journals. He is also the author of over 100 peer-reviewed (indexed) research papers and was appointed one of Czechia's youngest associate professors. 

In January 2024, the Agri Policy Lab – a new unit established within the Biogas Research Team has been established. In a significant stride towards advancing sustainable agricultural practices, the Biogas Research Team (Czech University of Life Sciences Prague), led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík, has announced the establishment of the dynamic and multidisciplinary " Agri Policy Lab." Dedicated to shaping evidence-based agricultural policies, the Agri Policy Lab aims to be a catalyst for sustainable and inclusive development in the agricultural sector.

The international conference “University and Inclusion”, organized by the Fondazione Sicurezza e Liberta in Rome (Italy) on December 14 and 15, 2023, became the summarizing dissemination event of the 1st year of the UNICOM project. And members of our team (Hynek Roubík and Jan Staš) did not miss this opportunity to meet with project partners!

Our team visited University of South Bohemia České Budějovice to strengthen the cooperation between our two institutions. On 12.12.2023, Biogas Research Team (led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík) visited University of South Bohemia České Budějovice.

One of the crucial goals of the visit of Hynek Roubík and Charles Ogbu was to strengthen cooperation between the BRT and the University of South Bohemia České Budějovice, Department of Agroecosystems and specifically Laboratory of LCA (https://www.fzt.jcu.cz/en/faculty/departments/department-of-agroecosystems/laboratory-of-lca), which is lead by doc. Ing. Jaroslav Bernas, Ph.D.

We are looking forward to this new cooperation!

Part of PG2CRM project

Připomeňme si video o tom, jak šel čas s bioplynem. Video s doc. Hynkem Roubíkem (vedoucím Biogas Research Team) vzniklo v rámci Noci Vědců. A tím, že má již téměř 2 tisíce shlédnutí jsme se rozhodli vám ho ukázat znova.

Universities–Communities: strengthening cooperation between universities and communities for sustainable development. From the 6th to the 9th of November, 2023, the Lund University in Sweden hosted the UNICOM project meeting. During the meeting, the Biogas Research Team played a role in sharing the essential experiences in University-Community practices.

New paper published by Yelizaveta Chernysh, Viktoria Chubur and Hynek Roubík from BRT. Sustainable and cyclical water management is a critical challenge for the water supply and wastewater sector, given its important role in determining the economic value of water. Therefore, there is an urgent need to further explore business opportunities in this sector to maximise water potential. In this case, an important development sector is the addition of digitalisation operations in water treatment plants and wastewater treatment plants, as well as the replacement of industrial devices with more energy efficient options based on sustainable solutions.

New paper published in prestigious GCB Bioenergy: Bioproducts for a Sustainable Bioeconomy journal by Hidayatul Fitri from BRT.  West Nusa Tenggara (WNT), an Indonesian province celebrated for its contributions to rice, corn, and cacao production, is experiencing a natural consequence of its agricultural success: an increasing volume of agricultural residues. As crop yields surge, so does the residue left behind. This research seeks to address a pivotal question: Can these agricultural byproducts be used to meet the region's energy needs?

Jan Staš, a member of the Biogas Research Team (BRT), has just returned from Sanya, China, where he represented his team NOSATOR-FLOW in receiving their award for their outstanding success in the food waste solution competition.

SCORE project was this time hosted by BRT in Prague from 12th to 13th of October 2023. The event began with a warm welcome and registration, setting the stage for a two-day journey into solution of wicked problems.

Second in person project meeting of Interreg project BIOECO-UP where BRT Group leader Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík was present.

Universities – Communities: strengthening cooperation, where we strengthen cooperation between universities and communities for sustainable development. From the 2nd to the 6th of October, 2023, the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague hosted the UNICOM project meeting, an event organized by the Biogas Research Team. The gathering in Prague provided a dynamic platform for experts, educators, and innovators to explore the exciting potential of university-community cooperation and provide knowledge sharing to colleagues from Ukraine.

Dr. Yelizaveta Chernysh, a member of the BRT, participated in the Riga 2023 - EUSBSR Annual Forum. On 4–5 October 2023, Dr. Yelizaveta Chernysh from BRT participated in EUSBSR Annual Forum (European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region). EUSBSR is the first of the four Macro-regional Strategies in Europe.

The focus of the Annual Forum was mainly:  

• Key issues and needs regarding contamination/hazardous substances due to war, focussing on environmental consequences.
• Possible solutions / ideas for support from the Baltic Sea Region 

The roundtables "Strengthening and developing cooperation with Ukraine to ensure sustainable recovery" at the EUSBSR Annual Forum in Riga were of particular interest. Dr. Yelizaveta Chernysh participated as an expert in the roundtable “Hazards-roundtable: Environmental effects (especially hazardous substances) of the war” and the discussion was very productive. The workshops in Riga tried to present ideas and involve stakeholders for future cooperation. The Forum is also in line with the intentions of the Baltic Sea Neighborhood Program, which seeks to bring together several EU and non-EU countries working on regional issues. We consider the participation in the seminar at the annual EUSBSR Forum in Riga valuable as a contribution to future cooperation opportunities between Ukraine and EU countries included in the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.

More information: https://www.eusbsr.eu/annual-forum

In September 2023, our Group leader Assoc. Prof. Hynek Roubík was invited by the Innovation Agency of Lithuania to be a keynote speaker during their workshop.

The Biogas Research Team (BRT), led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík, is a part of the Department of Sustainable Technologies and the Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences (FTA). The main objective of the BRT is to determine the real impact of small biogas plants (both in developing and developed countries) on the environment, climate change and society and to contribute crucially to the current global debate on small biogas technology. Our team is covering what we call the whole research life cycle ?<– which, from our point of view, means that we do everything from feasibility studies, system studies, technology development, and laboratory-scale research towards implementation. Furthermore, we continue with socio-economic studies and implications, gender studies, and environmental studies. The team also broadens its portfolio by embarking on different routes that expand its scientific and social horizon. A few examples range from Open Science research through the OSIRIS project, organising multidisciplinary student conferences such as the 4th International Multidisciplinary Conference for Young Researchers (MCYR), developing the AgriSciences platform to developing mobile laboratories that detect infectious diseases through our mobiLAB initiative,  and much more.

On August 23, 2023, KMITL Business School, led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Opal Suwunnamek and Dr. Suwat Dansomboon, together with Local Personnel Development Institute, Department of Local Administration, Ministry of Interior, and Executives group from Pak Kret City Municipality Office visited Czech University of Life Sciences Prague.

Among the main topics of discussion was also waste management and various options, which could be further utilised by the municipalities in Thailand, which was discussion by Group leader of Biogas Research Team (Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík).

One of the key takeaways from this collaborative effort was the realization that waste management isn't a one-size-fits-all topic. The strategies and solutions adopted must be context-specific, considering local conditions and resources. CZU's wealth of experience in this domain served as a guiding light, offering valuable insights into tailoring waste management practices to suit Thailand's diverse landscapes.

Our colleagues, Eduardo Duque Dussán, Ricardo Situmeang, and Antoine Bercy, took an active part in the Tropentag 2023 conference, which was held in from September 20 to 22, 2023 in Berlin, Germany. The conference was organized by the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) in collaboration with Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany.

Unlocking Success: Navigating the Path of an Early Career Researcher by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík; Publication Bias in Scientific Findings – the case of Prunus persica by Dr. Stacy Hammond; The Rise of Chatbots and Their Impact on Society by Dr. Milan Školník

Poslechněte si rozhovor s Hynkem Roubíkem, vedoucím Biogas Resarch Teamu, který byl hostem České televize na téma "Konec obilné dohody a chudé státy". (čas 13:07)

New paper published in the prestigious Science of the Total Environment journal by Charles Ogbu from BRT. The findings reveal that the North Central region has the highest potential for wastewater generation and collection, with the South East exhibiting the highest sewer collection rate.

New article published in Frontiers for Young Minds. This article is specifically written to connect curious minds to the experts and information that will motivate them to ask informed and critical questions about real science throughout their lives.

V rámci projektu s názvem Bioplynovou technologií k vyšší odolnosti komunit v Západní provincii Zambie realizovaného společností Člověk v tísni bylo postaveno již 45 bioplynáren. Ty umí z trusu zvířat a zbytků jídla vyrobit plyn, který mohou domácnosti jednoduše využívat k vaření nebo svícení. Plyn tak dokáže nahradit dřevo a dřevěné uhlí, na které je zde odkázána většina obyvatel. Biopalivovovou technologii zambijští venkované využívají nejen jako zdroj udržitelné energie pro domácnost, ale i jako vysoce efektivní organické hnojivo.

In the world of academia, collaboration is the key to unlocking new frontiers and advancing scientific knowledge. It is within this spirit of collaboration that Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík did a visit from Czech University of Life Sciences Prague to the esteemed Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO). With a primary focus on biogas technology and waste management, this visit aimed to foster knowledge exchange and create new ways of collaboration between these two institutions.

Building Bridges through Collaborative Research

One of the main objectives of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík's visit was to foster collaborative research projects between Czech University of Life Sciences Prague and NIBIO. The visit provided a valuable opportunity for experts from both institutions to come together, exchange ideas, and identify potential areas of research collaboration. Through insightful discussions and brainstorming sessions, they explored innovative approaches and research gaps in the field of biogas technology and waste management. By joining forces, these institutions aim to make significant contributions to the advancement of sustainable practices and solutions in these areas.

To enrich their understanding and facilitate fruitful collaborations, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík had the opportunity of visiting the state-of-the-art laboratories at NIBIO. Beyond the laboratories, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík had the opportunity to explore the facilities at NIBIO. These facilities play a crucial role in translating research findings into practical applications, allowing for real-world implementation of sustainable practices. From pilot-scale biogas plants to waste management systems, these facilities serve as testbeds for innovative technologies and solutions.

The visit of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík to NIBIO exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and knowledge exchange that drives scientific progress. Through collaborative research discussions, laboratory visits, and exploration of remarkable facilities, the foundations have been laid for a fruitful partnership between Czech University of Life Sciences Prague and NIBIO.

Let´s have a look how the time went with AgriSci-UA via interview with its founder. The idea for AgriSciences Platform emerged from a collective desire to support and empower young teachers, researchers, and students in the field of AgriSciences in Ukraine.

Group leader of Biogas Research Team – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík is newly joining Editorial Board of Biosystems Diversity – journal focusing on all aspects of diversity in biology and ecology from the individual to the ecosystem level.

Exploring the Future of Food: Harnessing Fungal Solid-State Fermentation for Sustainable Protein Resources. And published in prestigious journal Trends in Food Science & Technology (IF- 16.002)

Reprodukovatelnost je zásadní pro pokrok a dopad výzkumu, vývoje a inovací, protože potvrzuje nebo opravuje výsledky jednotlivých studií. To vede k vyšší kvalitě výzkumu, spolehlivějším a využitelnějším výsledkům a ke snížení nákladů na výzkum. Začlenění reprodukovatelnosti do strategie a designu výzkumu by proto mělo být považováno za klíčový předpoklad kvality výzkumu.

An interdisciplinary research group CZU COVID-19 Response Team, which was led by our Group leader – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík just published their work in Globalization and Health (one of the most prestigious journals, which is pioneering and transdisciplinary journal that situates public health and wellbeing within the dynamic forces of global development).

This year, five master students from Biogas Research Team successfully defended their thesis. Here you can read more bout their research activities.

We are pleased to highlight the remarkable research work of Ing. Ghaith Hasan, who recently obtained his Ph.D. in the field of biogas technology under supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík (Group leader of Biogas Research Team). His thesis focuses on the social and economic assessment of small-scale biogas plants in Syria, a country that has faced significant challenges due to the ongoing civil war. Ing. Ghaith Hasan's research sheds light on the potential of biogas technology as a solution to the energy crisis and explores the prospects and challenges associated with its adoption in Syria.

Dr. Esther Muindi is soil and water management expert from the school of agricultural Sciences and agribusiness, Pwani University. She is passionate about climate change mitigation and would like to study green house gases (GHGs) associated with biogas technology during her 6 months postdoc period with the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague - Biogas Research Team.

Dr. Yelizaveta Chernysh (in person) and Dr. Viktoriia Chubur (online) took part in hybrid form in the Plant-Soil Restoration UUKi Twinning Network Workshops, which took place on July 4-5, 2023, at the Lancaster University Campus in Leipzig, Germany.

Welcome to the exciting world of phosphogypsum processing and its potential in generating critical raw materials. The recent Project Meeting III, held from 22nd to 25th June 2023 at CZU in Prague, Czech Republic, brought together a diverse group of experts and researchers to discuss their progress and explore innovative solutions in this field. Let's delve into the highlights of this engaging event!

As part of the PG2CRM project, new research article is available online in Journal of Cleaner Production. Phosphogypsum (PG), a byproduct of phosphate fertilizer production, is a significant global waste stream, with almost 300 million tons generated annually. Unfortunately, only a small portion undergoes further processing, while the majority is stacked or discharged into coastal waters. In this engaging research article, we delve into a critical review that explores the physical-chemical properties of PG from sedimentary and magmatic phosphate ore. The study draws upon extensive research spanning over 25 years, conducted at École des Mines de Saint-Étienne, and examines samples from 67 industrial storage sites worldwide. Join us as we uncover the challenges and potential solutions for utilizing PG in a circular economy framework.

Understanding PG's Properties

To shed light on the characteristics of PG, various analytical tools were employed, providing valuable insights into its physical-chemical properties. The review highlights the low radioactivity found in PG, particularly those derived from sedimentary phosphate rock. While this makes PG a potential raw material for construction, it also poses challenges in terms of regulatory compliance and public perception. Additionally, water-soluble and volatile chemical compounds within PG present environmental management hurdles that need to be addressed.

Global Perspectives and Laboratory Synthesis

By considering PG samples from storage sites worldwide, the review provides a comprehensive global perspective on the composition and challenges associated with PG management. Furthermore, laboratory-synthesized PG samples created under different conditions contribute to a deeper understanding of the material's behavior and potential applications. The authors meticulously analyze the findings, critically assessing the implications for sustainable management strategies.

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Advancing Towards Circular Economy

Although PG may not pose an immediate threat to the environment, the review advocates for a shift in the approach to PG management. Rather than relying on storage or disposal, the authors emphasize the importance of processing all PG to eliminate potential long-term risks and harness its potential as a relevant secondary resource. By integrating PG into a circular economy framework, its value can be maximized, contributing to sustainable resource utilization and reducing waste generation.

Conclusion

This critical review sheds light on the global landscape of PG production, storage, and potential utilization. By providing a comprehensive analysis of PG's physical-chemical properties, the study highlights the challenges associated with its circular economy integration. With a strong focus on long-term risk mitigation and resource optimization, the authors advocate for processing all PG to unlock its full potential. This research sets the stage for further exploration and collaboration, aiming to transform the perception of PG from waste to a valuable resource within the global phosphogypsum circular economy.

As we embark on a path towards a more sustainable future, incorporating the findings of this review can lead to innovative solutions in PG management, fostering environmental stewardship and supporting the transition to a circular economy paradigm.

Stay tuned for further research and developments in this critical field as we work towards unlocking the hidden potential of phosphogypsum and about our project PG2CRM!

Article is available (Open Access) here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137561

This work was supported by Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TA CR) [Grant Number: TH79020003] under the coordination of the ERA-MIN3 action, which has received funding from the European Union under the Horizon 2020 Program [European Commission Grant Agreement No. 101003575]

Are you interested in advances in renewable energy research or sustainable energy sources in sub-Saharan Africa? We would like to invite you to special lectures given by Professor Julius Kewir Tangka and Doctor Viyoi Catherine Tidze. The lectures will take place on Tuesday, June 20 at 13:00 in room 401, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences.

From 1st to 11th of June, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík (Group leader of BRT) and Chama Theodore Ketuama (PhD candidate from BRT) visited Cameroon as part of Erasmus credit mobility program

Access to clean water and effective wastewater treatment systems is vital for sustainable development, economic growth, and human health. However, the effectiveness of these systems can vary widely, and it is essential to understand the environmental impact of different treatment methods.

One year ago, I was offered an internship at the National Coffee Research Centre of Colombia (Cenicafé). Cenicafé has bred new coffee varieties resistant to diseases, so it seemed relevant to calculate these thermal and physical properties because the country is rapidly changing and renewing the coffee crops towards disease-resistant types.

Wicked problems are complex, multi-dimensional challenges that resist simple solutions. Examples include climate change, poverty, inequality, and health epidemics. These problems require a deep understanding of the complex interactions between different systems and stakeholders, as well as innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to solving them. 

The first pre-conference workshop already happened in May and more of MCYR is coming up! Welcome to the Multidisciplinary Conference for Young Researchers (MCYR) blog post!

Phosphogypsum is a by-product of the phosphate fertilizer industry and is considered an environmental challenge due to its high radioactivity and large quantities generated. However, our project called PG2CRM aims to turn this waste into a valuable resource by extracting critical raw materials.

Are you interested in promoting innovation and social development in Ukraine? That is what our new project UNICOM is aiming on. It aims to enhance university-community cooperation in Ukraine using experiences from various countries.

On 28 April 2023, the second day of the spring school "EU implementation of bioenergy technologies for waste recycling" under the Jean Monnet module "Bioenergy innovations in waste management: European experience in implementing a circular economy" (BIOINWASTE) of the EU Erasmus+ program, dedicated to Bioeconomy as a basic for green growth, the relationship between the circular economy and biotechnology in various industries and the green course of biotechnology growth.

Maize is one of the most widely cultivated crops globally, and its production has been increasing in recent years. Maize is commonly used for animal feed and human consumption, but it is also a valuable crop for biogas production. Biogas is an environmentally friendly energy source that can be produced from various organic materials, including maize silage.

Do České republiky přijela Doc. D.Sc. Yelizaveta Chernysh, PhD. ze Sumy State University na Ukrajině vloni v březnu, a hned navázala na dlouhodobou spolupráci s Biogas Research Team vedeným docentem Hynkem Roubíkem z Fakulty tropického zemědělství ČZU. „V České republice se mi moc líbí, obzvlášť Praha a její historická část, ale pro mne je to tady především o pokračování ve výzkumu,“ říká docentka Chernysh.

Tým docenta Hynka Roubíka z  Fakulty tropického zemědělství ČZU v Praze se ve spolupráci s dalšími evropskými partnery věnuje tématu fosfosádrovce. Projekt je podpořen výzvou ERAMIN.

The CEE2ACT Consortium met in person for a project meeting on 21-22 March 2023. The two-day meeting was hosted by the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague (Czech Republic).

On the first day, the Consortium was able to review the progress of the first 6 months of the project, aiming at empowering Central and Easter European countries to develop national bioeconomy strategies through innovative governance models and knowledge transfer activities.

In particular, the project partners discussed the assets and business models of the 10 CEE2ACT national bioeconomy hubs, and two digital solutions were presented – the online inventory of best practices and the B2B matchmaking tool.

On the second day, the consortium joined an interactive peer learning session dedicated to knowledge transfer and capacity building activities. The 17 partners discussed the different challenges and main elements for the bioeconomy roadmaps in the target and contributing countries.

This two-day meeting was a great opportunity to connect and accelerate our work to support the bioeconomy transition in Europe!

The bioeconomy concept seeks to replace fossil resources with renewable raw materials in as many areas and applications as possible. The BIOECO-UP project widely establishes this concept across central Europe. The BIOECO-UP will design new circular value chains for the bioeconomy and change consumer behaviour. BIOECO-UP will also support the policy level to push ahead with the transformation.

Poslechněte si rozhovor s Hynkem Roubíkem na ČT24 na téma "Extrémní sucho v Tunisku", který proběhl 6. dubna 2023.

Prof. Lesia Karpuk is a Professor at Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University (Ukraine). Nataliia Dyman is a Master of Ecology, a junior lecturer at the Department of language training for foreign students at Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University

Since 2011, the Syrian war has resulted in a massive energy supply shortage, making it difficult for people to access the energy they need for their daily lives. Renewable energy adoption can help to address this issue, and this is where biogas technology comes into play.

Den Země si 22. dubna připomíná více než miliarda lidí. Narozdíl od jiných svátků je spíše mementem a varováním před dopadem lidského počínání na zdravotní kondici planety. Kořeny má ve Spojených státech, kde se poprvé slavil v roce 1970. O dvacet let později se k této tradici připojily na dvě stovky zemí včetně České republiky. Doc. Hynek Roubík z katedry udržitelných technologií Fakulty tropického zemědělství vnímá Den Země jako každoroční připomínku, jak důležitá je péče o naši planetu a jaké jsou následky, pokud s ní nezacházíme udržitelným způsobem.

In this paper, we describe the results of a study of the effect of electric current on the anaerobic digestion of clariid catfish excreta and comparison with the addition of stimulating substances (humates and zeolites). When the main metabolic pathways for electron acceptor recruitment were identified using bioinformatics databases, a model of methanogenesis was generated by blocks of enzymatic reactions.

On Wednesday, February 15, 2023, the new informal advisory body of the Minister of Science, Helena Langšádlová, consisting of young talented scientists, innovators, met for the first time. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík was invited to join this Advisory board as well.

Group leader of BRT Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík has been selected and rewarded by the Dean Prof. Patrick Van Damme and the members of Dean´s College for his contribution, both scientific and in terms of popularization of science.

Více než tři stovky mladých vědců a zaměstnanců prestižních evropských univerzit přivítala v pátek 23. a v sobotu 24. září 2022 ve svém kampusu Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze. Konferenci každoročně pořádá Euroleague for Life Sciences (ELLS) a zve na ni studenty a akademiky partnerských univerzit. Hlavním tématem letošní studentské části byla „Propojenost věcí: Cesta k udržitelným řešením“.

Rozhovor z 29.3.2021 s jedním z historicky nejmladších docentů v ČR Hynkem Roubíkem z Fakulty tropického zemědělství ČZU v Praze na téma „Potravinová bezpečnost v zemích Globálního Jihu v reakci na válku na Ukrajině.“

„Můžeme určitě mluvit o hrozbě potravinové krize. Bude se to dít postupně, ale dopady jsou samozřejmě obrovské. Bude to i dalekosáhlá ekologická a socioekonomická krize pro velké množství lidí,“ řekl v Horizontu ČT24 Hynek Roubík z katedry udržitelných technologií Fakulty tropického zemědělství České zemědělské univerzity v Praze.

A joint meeting of the Biogas Research Team, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague and the Complexity Science Hub (CSH) was held in Vienna on 5th December 2022. The aim of the meeting was to establish research cooperation between both institutions and the Danube University Krems. The future work seeks to investigate pathways of substituting natural gas with biogas.

Vysoké emise skleníkových plynů jsou bohužel stále aktuálním a palčivým tématem, stejně jako energetické zdroje. K řešení situace by měly pozitivně přispívat bioplynové stanice.

The XXIInd SGEM International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference – “Green Sciences for Green Life”, was held in Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna, from 6 - 9 December 2022. The SGEM (Survey, Geology, Ecology and Management) conferences are focused on global warming, climate change, CO2 reduction, biodiversity, and green technologies for a sustainable future. The main goals of SGEM GeoConference are to raise awareness of both scientists and common people for the pressing ecological issues and to create a revolutionary forum for sharing and collaboration among the scientific society.  

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík is joining Nature Portfolio journal: Humanities & Social Sciences Communications as an Editorial Board member

In this paper, we revealed the fate of abandoned small-scale fixed-dome biogas plants in rural areas in central Vietnam.

Highlights:

Despite the large number of small-scale biogas plants being built in Vietnam, there is an increase in the reported cases of their dis-adoption by farmers with no official evidence.

With a typical lifespan of 20 years, small-scale biogas plants were found to be abandoned after 6 years (on average) in operation for anaerobic digestion.

Abandoned small-scale biogas plants were mainly not used for any other purposes within rural households. However, biogas plants initially connected to the household toilet were observed in use for human excreta storing after the dis-adoption.

Predominantly, failures in feedstock supply for biogas production led to the abandonment of biogas plants. Anaerobic digestion technology did not remain beneficial for farmers as practice for organic waste management when difficulties related to keeping pigs occurred. An important lesson of the biogas technology dis-adoption in Vietnam is the danger posed by African swine fever outbreaks in the area.

General trends in waste minimization stimulate the transition from linear to circular waste management systems. Therefore, developing environmentally sound biotechnologies for waste recycling and further utilization in the form of various biocomposite products and the production of biofuels is considered promising. 

Internship and data collection in Nigeria of Charles Ogbu. Between August and September 2022, Charles Ogbu, associated member of Biogas Research Team under co-supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík, visited Nigeria for data collection in relation to his PhD thesis: “Life cycle assessment of wastewater treatment-based resource recovery in Nigeria”. He was hosted by the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan.

On 13-14 September 2022, representatives of 17 European organisations from 17 countries gathered in Budapest at the kick-off meeting of the CEE2ACT project, funded under the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation programme.

Fotovoltaika v tradičním pojetí se mění. Jejím novým vývojovým stupněm se stává agrivoltaika, která dává možnost smysluplně propojovat zemědělskou činnost s výrobou solární energie. V budoucnu tak budeme moci od zemědělců odebírat nejenom potraviny, ale i lokální zelenou elektřinu.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík, Group leader of BRT is coordinating second edition of Special Issue for Environments.

Dear Colleagues,

The COVID-19 pandemic affects everyone; therefore, we intend to identify global environmental challenges resulting from this crisis. The worldwide disruption caused by the pandemic has led to numerous impacts on the environment. These effects have both positive and negative consequences, which need to be systematically and empirically described.

Babatunde Tijani Liasu was master student at the Biogas Research Team under the supervision of Associate Professor Hynek Roubík with his research focused on:

“Small-Scale Biogas Technology in Nigeria - Perspective of rural areas”

Objective of this study was to present the state of the art and research challenges of small-scale biogas plants in Nigeria, assess the current perspective and provide the necessary recommendations for future development of this technology in rural areas.

Thanks goes also to prof. Temitayo Abayomi Ewemoje, Ph.D. from University of Ibadan (Nigeria), who was reviewer and opponent of this thesis.

Agrivoltaic (APV) technique in farming is an emerging multi-billion industry, which is catching the attention of various stakeholders in developed and developing economies of late. As already announced, this practical workshop organized in Prague has indeed generated a lot of information needed to understand the technique of APV and associated business models to maximize APV projects that are implemented in the context of developing countries. Thus, the expectations including the main aim of this organized workshop that was held on 16.09.2022 in Prague have been met.

Read about the workshop HERE.

Biogas Research Team had a strong presence again at the Tropentag conference! Our colleagues Lydia Mawar and Chama Theodore Ketuama participated in the Tropentag 2022 conference organized from September 14 to 16, 2022, at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences). Tropentag is an annual international conference on research in tropical and subtropical agriculture and rural development.

The 15-year cooperation between the Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences CZU in Prague and the University of Agriculture and Forestry in Hue, Vietnam was newly expanded by taking on board the staff members of the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences on a recent visit to Vietnam.

Dear Colleagues, humanity is entering a phase of transitioning to new socio-economic formations that are now taking place within Industries 4.0 and 5.0. Recent trends in human capital development, such as intellectualization, increased communication, internationalization, acquisition of skills, customization, and communication with consumers, align with Industries 4.0 and 5.0. The socio-economic transformations caused by disruptive technologies, such as blockchain, big data analytics, the Internet of Things, virtual reality, augmented reality, advanced virtual reality, artificial intelligence, algorithmic techniques, simulations and gamification, space colonization, renewable energy, high-speed travel, medical innovations, and 3D printing, could have positive and negative effects on sustainable development. Positive impacts include the dematerialization of industrial metabolism and less ecological impact on nature. The negative consequences of disruptive technologies are difficult to predict, but may include information vulnerability; increasing information dependence; the risk of creative potential reduction; the increasing cost of waste in the green economy; loss of jobs; a decrease in privacy; hacking, the loss of human control over cyber systems, etc. 

We are in conjunction with several universities and institutes in Ukraine and the U.S. organizing a VIRTUAL international conference entitled “Growing bioenergy crops by recycling biosolids on marginal lands” on September 22, 2022. This conference will be based on our U.S.-CRDF Global and Ukrainian Ministry of Education funded project on alternate energy.  

The conference is FREE to join but you and your colleagues will need to register electronically. Details are in the attached flyer. More details at  http://igim.org.ua/?p=8825

In September, PG2CRM kick off meeting took place in France. Partners from all the institutions involved in the project met in Saint-Etienne, France.

Bioenergy innovations in waste management: European experience in implementing a circular economy

Due to current water stress, there is a problem with hygiene and sanitation in many parts of the world. According to predictions from the United Nations, more than 2.7 billion people will be challenged by water scarcity by the middle of the century.

The Biogas Research Team, in collaboration with People in Need (PIN) and Keepers Zambia Foundation (KZF), conducted a feasibility study on a project to promote biogas technology in the Western Province of Zambia. This Province is still largely dependent on fuelwood and charcoal for household cooking energy supply, especially in poor households. The biogas project will help smallholder farmers have greater food and nutrition security and greater resilience to climate change. As part of the study, two main types of biogas plants, including the ZamDigester (fixed dome type) and ZambiDigester (smaller version based on prefabricated model) have been tested and promoted. In the initial phase, the project targets 130 farmers in Mongu and Kalabo Districts with the purpose of training them on the importance of using biogas to combat the impact of climate change, such as deforestation. In the subsequent phases, the construction of a series of communal biogas plants will start based on the feasibility study.

A news report by Spring24 TV Zambia on the tested biogas plants is available on https://fb.watch/eDWc0XA7Ty/

Hynek Roubík je jedním z nejmladších docentů v Česku, působí na Fakultě tropického zemědělství České zemědělské univerzity a povídal si s námi o tom, jaký je potenciál energetického využití odpadu nebo vzájemného soužití energetiky a zemědělství.

Within the 2-year Czech-Austrian project called: “Opportunities and Challenges for Anaerobic Systems in the Global South”, Dr Nils Haneklaus arrived at the first in-person 9-day visit.

In this paper, we are filling the gap by offering a systematic and thorough review. Indonesia must discontinue using fossil fuels and find alternatives to the energy it now uses. Despite its enormous potential, Indonesia only has 48,038 biogas plants, which is still considered a small number when compared to China and India.

„Šlo již o čtvrté neúspěšné období dešťů. Čeká se, že počet lidí, kteří budou čelit hladu, vzroste až na sedm milionů,“ řekl ČT24 Hynek Roubík z Fakulty tropického zemědělství České zemědělské univerzity.

In the week from 13th to 17th of June (2022) we hosted invited lectures from Dr. Jakub Mazurkiewicz and Dr. Damian Janczak from Poznań University of Life Sciences.

DEAR COLLEAGUES! We invite scientists, teachers, doctoral students, graduate students, applicants, students, government officials and local governments, and business representatives to participate at the International Scientific and Practical Online-Conference "Economics for ecology" which will be held on May - June 31–01, 2022 in Sumy, Ukraine

UNITED24 was launched by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the main venue for collecting charitable donations in support of Ukraine. Funds will be transferred to the official accounts of the National Bank of Ukraine and allocated by assigned ministries to cover the most pressing needs:

EU Co-funded ERA-MIN Joint Transnational Call 2021 funded project PG2CRM team has already published the article "Closing the Upcoming EU Gypsum Gap with Phosphogypsum".

Phosphogypsum Processing to Critical Raw Materials (PG2CRM) is one of the 22 projects funded under

On 31st of March (2022) the 1st Café Scientifique at FTA for PhD students was organized by Associate professor Hynek Roubík (Group leader of Biogas Research Team).

Blog post by: Sheriff Noi. This blog post emerged as one of the five winners of the YPARD/AGRINATURA/AgriSciences Platform E-Competition: SHARE YOUR STORY! for the MSc and BSc Category. The competition which was tagged your Research your Story! aimed to help students have a better sense of ownership of their research and to communicate the most important parts of their research in a creative easy to read storytelling way.

The Competition is held in three areas: agronomy, technology of production and processing of livestock products, agroengineering. The Competition is held in two stages: the first (in home HEIs) - October 2021 - March 2022; the second (on the basis of MNAU) - April 2022 - June 2022.

There are no other relevant studies on the topic of biogas from Syria available in the scientific literature. This is an unique research done in the country, where the Syrian civil war is an ongoing multi-sided civil conflict.

In this paper, an interdisciplinary approach to study the links between urbanization and the state of the green infrastructure of the metropolis was used, which indicates the possibility of providing ecosystem services.

This paper expands the knowledge on essential aspects of biogas implementation such as socio-economic impact, post-adaptation perception, and cultural habits related to traditional fuel use, focusing on differences in household economics and livelihood diversity at the peri-urban – rural continuum.

After a one-year break caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the second Multidisciplinary Conference for Young Researchers was successfully organised on 29-30th of November 2021. This time in Sumy, Ukraine. And the theme of the conference was up-to-date: Sustainable Development Trends and Challenges under COVID-19.

Our PhD students Marek Jelínek, Jan Staš and Eduardo Duque Dussán, along with Assoc. Prof. Hynek Roubík, travelled to Ukraine as delegates of the FTA under the scientific cooperation project "Strengthening scientific capacities and cooperation of Ukrainian universities in AgriSciences" supported by the Czech Development Cooperation via Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.

Ginny was elected because of her active involvement in research, education, and activities benefiting the foreign students contributing to the motivation of those interested in studying in Prague.

In October 2021 one of the members of Biogas Research Team – Ing. Ghaith Hasan visited Expo 2020 in Dubai. Here you can read his report.

Jackline Phiona Mukisa was master student at the Biogas Research Team under the supervision of Associate Professor Hynek Roubík and co-supervision of Dr. Jana Mazancová with her research focused on “Biogas in Uganda and the SDGs: A comparative cross-sectional fuel analysis of wood and biogas on case of Iganga district”.

This project was aiming to assess the possibilities of local winemakers in terms of valorisation of their processing waste. Based on the preliminary data collection and interviews with stakeholders the briquetting technology has been assessed as the most appropriate technology for small-scale and medium-scale producers together with use of small-scale biogas plant.

Not even the pandemic could stop members of the volleyball team of the Faculty of Tropical Agriculture of the CZU in Prague from participating in a beach volleyball tournament in support of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Globally, more people make their living from waste management than from any other sector, apart from farming. Nevertheless, somehow this massive sector is quite underrated and still not receiving enough attention. So, let´s change it!

In this paper, we focused on the influence of fallen leaves from the urban ecosystem as a cellulose-containing additive in the process of anaerobic digestion of poultry litter.

Haya was master student at the Biogas Research Team with her research focused on “Waste management pract\ices in Jordan (Al Ghoor region) and potential for implementation of biogas technology”.

Phd students from Biogas Research Team Ing. Marek Jelínek, MA Ricardo Situmeang and Dipl.Ing. Chama Theodore Ketuama, MSc. all passed successfully their State Exams.

In this paper, we focused on the quantification and evaluation of biogas production from either corn or sweet sorghum, as well as their combination

Postdoctoral fellowships are open to researchers moving within Europe, as well as those coming in from other parts of the world. You can also restart a research career after a break, such as parental leave.

Our colleagues Ricardo Situmeang, Chama Ketuama, Ghaith Hassan and Marek Jelínek participated in the Tropentag 2020 conference which was organised during September 9 – 11, 2020. The topic of the year 2020 was Food and nutrition security and its resilience to global crises.

Personalized Publication Mugs for fellow academics: when pandemic does not allow us for getting together, in our #BiogasResearchTeam under the leadership of Dr. Hynek Roubík we came up with a new way of celebrating accomplishments in publication of scientific papers.

This blog post by Charles Amarachi Ogbu emerged as one of the five winners that participated in the YPARD and AGRINATURA e-competition for the PhD. Category. Read it here.

Hynek was born on January 26th, 1991, in the Prague Czech Republic. His passion for agriculture started at a very early age. As a child he would help his family in their home garden where they would grow vegetables, potatoes and other crops, this experience leads him to pursue a career in agriculture.

Hynek has been in touch with agriculture since his childhood, where he used to help with the home agricultural production of his family. He was always interested in different agricultural aspects and fields. After graduating from high school, Dr. Roubík started his studies at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU). Firstly, he initiated his studies in the Faculty of Engineering, but his interests in sustainability and waste management led him to the Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, where he finished his doctoral studies. Already during his bachelor research, he took a chance to participate as a team assistant of a developing project in Vietnam. And there he realized that this is the right direction to follow. Vietnam has not only become the country of his further research but has also become his home away from home.