ena Development Consultants, responsible for the Communication and Dissemination activities of the European project RUNFASTER4EU, participated in the project’s Kick-Off Meeting in San Donato Milanese, Italy.
The meeting took place on 8–9 July 2025 at the ENI R&D Center, bringing together representatives from all project partners, as well as the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU).
ena Development Consultants was represented by Manolis Tsantakis, Stella Bazdani, Project Manager of RUNFASTER4EU, and Maria Karyofylaki, Head of Marketing at ena Development Consultants.
During the meeting, partners defined the objectives of the first project period and developed a strategic framework to maximise the project’s impact, strengthen synergies with other European initiatives, and align the project’s contribution with relevant EU policies.
A key outcome of the Kick-Off Meeting was the successful development of the project action plan, including specific responsibilities for each partner and a detailed implementation timeline.
About RUNFASTER4EU
RUNFASTER4EU aims to give new value to degraded and contaminated land by transforming it into a productive source of bio-based raw materials for products such as bioplastics, cosmetics, biostimulants, and animal feed, without compromising food security or natural ecosystems.
A central activity of the project is the upgrading of two large biorefineries in Italy — Matrica in Porto Torres and Versalis in Crescentino — for the production of high-value bio-based products from vegetable oils and residual biomass.
At the same time, the project will implement extensive cultivation of oilseed crops on degraded land in Italy, Greece, Serbia, Spain, and Romania, applying innovative agricultural practices in collaboration with local farming communities.
The RUNFASTER4EU Consortium
RUNFASTER4EU is funded by the European Union through CBE JU, with strong support from the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC). The project brings together 18 partners from 10 countries with expertise in industry, research, bioeconomy, and agricultural applications.
The consortium is coordinated by Versalis SPA and includes:
Novamont SPA
Matrica SPA
Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna
Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving
ena Development Consultants
AHAVA Dead Sea Laboratories Ltd.
AGRI 2000 IBERIA S.L.
Agri 2000 Net RO SRL
BF Educational SRL
PNO Innovation Unipessoal LDA
LEDA Polymer SP ZOO
Carhue Piggeries Limited
Institut Za Ratarstvo I Povrtarstvo Institut Od Nars
CIFO SRL
Federazione Regionale Coldiretti Campania
Fundació Universitària Balmes
NAFIGATE Park S.R.O.
Next Steps
Following the completion of the Kick-Off Meeting, project partners are focusing on establishing contracts with farmers, selecting suitable land plots, and planning the upgrading activities of the biorefineries.
ena Development Consultants remains committed to promoting innovative and sustainable solutions through its active participation in European research projects that help shape the future of agriculture and the bioeconomy in Europe.
ena Development Consultants warmly thanks Versalis for hosting the meeting and all project partners for their valuable contribution to the successful launch of RUNFASTER4EU.