The 3rd Bilateral Workshop Portugal–Slovenia took place at the University of Aveiro on 4–5 September 2025, bringing together approximately 70 participants for two days of scientific dialogue, exchange of ideas, and networking.

According to Dr. Filipa A. Vicente, co-chair of the event from National Institute of Chemistry, Slovenia:

“this workshop created momentum for long-term collaborations not only between Portugal and Slovenia but also beyond, whether through student exchanges or joint project applications. Science moves forward when we work together, by brainstorming, sharing ideas and bringing complementary expertise to the table”.

Over the course of the event, participants attended more than 20 lectures, including plenary and keynote sessions delivered by researchers from Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Poland. The programme featured a wide range of themes, spanning:

• Sustainable processes and circular economy (PFAS remediation, biomass valorization, biocatalysis, cellulose-based water treatment, insect biorefining)
• Materials and biotechnology (protein extraction, enzyme engineering, biomaterials modelling, pharmaceutical preservation)
• Green chemistry and renewable energy (glycolysis of plastics, magnetic heating for methanation, ionic/eutectic systems for water purification and energy applications)
• Artificial intelligence and modelling (AI for materials discovery, CFD in engineering, membrane distillation, solvent design for battery recycling)

The workshop was marked by active participation from the audience, with discussions that fostered deeper insight into the presented research and strengthened collaborative ties between institutions.

Dr. Mara Freire, co-chair of the event from CICECO, highlights:

“this workshop clearly demonstrated the value of bringing together researchers from different countries and fields to address common scientific and societal challenges. The high level of engagement and diversity of topics discussed reflect the strong potential for impactful collaborations, which we are confident will continue to grow beyond this meeting”.