The arrival of the new branch of the Chemical Institute in Velenje represents an important opportunity to link cutting-edge research expertise with the development needs of the economy in the SAŠA region. To ensure that the Chemical Institute can present itself appropriately, we are jointly organizing the “Biomass for Materials and Chemicals” technology forum, which will take place on November 6, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Villa Bianca (Stari trg 3, 3320 Velenje). The event will be dedicated to presenting the concept of a biorefinery and the possibilities for processing biomass into materials and chemicals with higher added value.
The technical session will present opportunities for the valorization of three key biomass components—lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose—and their potential for the development of new industrial products and technologies. In the second part of the event, a roundtable discussion will focus on concrete opportunities for cooperation between the Chemical Institute and the regional economy, particularly in the areas of research and development projects, technological solutions for companies, and applications for national and European calls for proposals.
This informational and networking event is intended for representatives of companies, development organizations, public institutions, and other stakeholders interested in the development of bio-based and circular technologies and in collaborating with the research community.
Biomass Biorefinery Laboratory
As part of the TecHub project in Velenje, the National Institute of Chemistry will open a state-of-the-art laboratory for biomass biorefinery research by June 2027. The project, valued at 15.4 million euros—of which 13 million euros are non-repayable European funds from the Just Transition Fund— includes the construction of 1,400 m² of specialized research and technical facilities and the procurement of advanced equipment.
The initiative will create at least ten new jobs for specialists and facilitate close collaboration with more than 20 companies to translate innovations into practice. This strengthens the research infrastructure of the Savinjsko-Šaleška Region and supports a sustainable economic transition from coal to biotechnology solutions.
More information about the laboratory is available here.
PROGRAM:
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 | Registration of participants and networking over coffee | |
9:30 – 9:40 | Opening Remarks and the Development Context of the SAŠA Region
| Peter Dermol, Mayor of the Municipality of Velenje, Biljana Škarja, M.A., Director of the SAŠA Development Agency |
9:40 – 9:45 | Presentation of the Center for the Future and TEHUB | Karla Sitar, Municipality of Velenje |
9:45 – 10:05 | The Biorefinery as an Opportunity for the SAŠA Region Presentation of the Chemical Institute and its new facility in Velenje The concept of a biorefinery Biomass as a Source of Chemicals, Materials, and Energy Opportunities for collaboration with industry. | Dr. Aleš Štefančič, Chemical Institute |
10.05 – 10:25 | Lignin: From Wood Biomass to Aromatic Chemicals and Advanced Materials | Dr. Edita Jasiukaityte Grojzdek, Institute of Chemistry |
10:25–10:45 | Cellulose: The Foundation of Bio-based and Sustainable Materials | Dr. Gregor Lavrič, National Institute of Chemistry
|
10.50 – 11.10 | Hemicelluloses: A Source of Platform Chemicals and Bio-based Products | Assoc. Prof. Dr. Miha Grilc, National Institute of Chemistry
|
11.10 – 11:30
| Break | |
11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. | Roundtable: How can the National Institute of Chemistry use its expertise, technologies, and research infrastructure to support the development needs of companies in the SAŠA region? | Guests: Dr. Uroš Novak, National Institute of Chemistry Assoc. Prof. Dr. Blaž Nardin, University of Primorska, Faculty of Polymer Technology Dr. Aleš Mihelič, Gorenje GSI, d.o.o. Eva Štraser, founder of Evegreen, d. o. o. |
Speakers:
Dr. Aleš Štefančič, Head of the Office for Knowledge Transfer, National Institute of Chemistry
Dr. Aleš Štefančič heads the Office for Knowledge Transfer at the National Institute of Chemistry, where he oversees the office’s strategic development in accordance with European guidelines on knowledge valorization and technology transfer. In addition, he supports researchers in the development and commercialization of technologies, negotiations, and establishing contacts with industrial partners and research centers.
He holds a Ph.D. in advanced materials from Durham University. He continued his postdoctoral research at the University of Warwick and the Paul Scherrer Institute, and subsequently worked for several years in an industrial research and development setting.
Dr. Edita Jasiukaitytė-Grojzdek, Senior Research Associate, Development of Processes for the Fractionation and Valorization of Lignocellulosic Biomass/Lignin
Chemical Institute, Department of Catalysis and Reaction Engineering
Dr. Edita Jasiukaitytė-Grojzdek is a senior research associate in the Department of Catalysis and Reaction Engineering at the National Institute of Chemistry in Ljubljana. She focuses on the development of sustainable technologies for biomass fractionation and the valorization of lignin, one of the key raw materials of the future circular economy. As a principal investigator, she coordinates numerous domestic and international research and industrial projects that bridge the gap between science and industry. With her expertise, she makes a significant contribution to the development of biorefinery processes, the adoption of renewable resources, and the green transition of the Slovenian economy.
Associate Professor Dr. Miha Grilc, Senior Research Associate, Process Development in Multiphase and Electrified Reactors, National Institute of Chemistry, Department of Catalysis and Reaction Engineering
Associate Professor Dr. Miha Grilc is a senior research fellow at the Department of Catalysis and Reaction Engineering at the National Institute of Chemistry in Ljubljana and an associate professor in the field of multiscale modeling of materials and processes at the University of Nova Gorica. His work focuses on the development of new reactors and processes for the catalytic conversion of complex substances, including biomass. As a principal investigator, he coordinates numerous domestic and international research and industrial projects that bridge the gap between science and industry. With his expertise, he makes a significant contribution to the development of new catalysts, reactors, and processes; the training of operators to work with high-pressure systems; and the overall advancement of technical culture in Slovenia.
Dr. Gregor Lavrič, Assistant Professor with a Ph.D., Development of Cellulose and Nanocellulose Materials and Applications, Acting Director, Institute for Cellulose and Paper
As part of his work at the Institute for Cellulose and Paper and the Chemical Institute, Dr. Gregor Lavrič focuses primarily on the development of advanced and sustainable packaging solutions and materials based on renewable raw materials. His research and development work includes the preparation and application of nanocellulose, the development of functional coatings and fiber-based materials, and the development of three-dimensionally shaped cellulose structures, cellulose foams, and other innovative bio-based materials. He places special emphasis on integrating material development with functionality, industrial application potential, and sustainability throughout the entire product life cycle.
Eva Štraser, founder of the startup EveGreen and director of the Slovenj Gradec Entrepreneurship Center, d.o.o.
Eva Štraser has built her entrepreneurial career in the field of developing new, environmentally friendly materials and sustainable solutions, primarily by seeking alternatives to traditional plastics. As the founder of the startup EveGreen, she has been involved in the development of bio-based composite materials that use various biomass byproducts and residues as raw materials, including rice and wheat husks, wood flour, coffee grounds, and other organic materials. The development focused on creating new material formulations, processing them using existing industrial technologies, and applying them to the development of specific products and packaging solutions.
In her work, she places special emphasis on integrating materials development, entrepreneurship, the circular economy, and the needs of industry—from identifying the potential of waste or locally available biomass to developing materials and prototypes and bringing them to market. Today, as director of the Slovenj Gradec Entrepreneurship Center, d.o.o., she applies her entrepreneurial and development experience to foster a supportive environment and encourages the development of new business ideas, innovations, and the integration of the economy with development opportunities.
Dr. Aleš Mihelič, Head of Open Innovation, Gorenje GSI d.o.o.
Dr. Aleš Mihelič has nearly 40 years of experience in research, development, and innovation, as well as in managing complex development projects. As the head of open innovation at Gorenje, he leads research and development in collaboration with knowledge institutions and development companies both in Slovenia and around the world. He actively participates in numerous European and national research and development projects, as well as in the development of advanced technologies for household appliances. He is the author of several patents and scientific publications in the fields of product development, system optimization, and the circular economy. Prior to joining Gorenje, he held leadership positions in the field of technology and innovation policy at the national level. He has also served as chairman of the board of directors of the Chemical Institute for nearly 12 years.
Dr. Uroš Novak is a distinguished researcher with a Ph.D. in chemical engineering and more than 15 years of experience in the field of advanced natural biomaterials, biotechnology, and zero-waste technologies. He currently leads a research group focused on bioplastics, biocomposites, and zero-waste technologies at the National Institute of Chemistry in Slovenia.
He is an exceptionally successful scientist, author of more than 60 scientific articles with over 3,000 citations, and a speaker at more than 200 events, including high-level engagements with the European Commission. His passion is turning science into tangible impact in the real world. He is a multi-award-winning innovator, co-founder of two startups, and director of a non-governmental organization. He is a prominent leader in the field of European research and innovation projects, where he coordinates key projects under the Horizon Europe program, as part of the REMEDIES and REMEDIES 5.0 Missions for the Restoration of Oceans and Inland Waters, with a combined value of over €25 million.
Associate Professor Dr. Blaž Nardin, Dean, University of Primorska, Faculty of Polymer Technology
Associate Professor Dr. Blaž Nardin He earned his bachelor’s degree (1995), master’s degree (1998), and Ph.D. (2004) from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ljubljana. After graduating, he joined TECOS, where he served as a researcher, founder and head of the CAE department, assistant director, and director. In 2006, he joined Gorenje Orodjarna, d.o.o., where he served as company director until 2017, when he joined Gorenje d.d. as executive assistant to the management board, initially responsible for dishwashers and later also for refrigerators and freezers. His research focuses on manufacturing technologies, particularly those related to toolmaking processes, polymer processing technologies, and 3D digitization and reverse engineering techniques. Since 2020, he has served as dean of the Faculty of Polymer Technology. He teaches courses in the field of polymer processing technologies.