ABOUT US
Biotechnologies for
a circular future.
The Waste to Bioproducts Laboratory develops innovative biotechnological processes to transform organic and agro-industrial residues into valuable products, contributing to the transition towards a sustainable circular bioeconomy.
WHO WE ARE
WASTE TO BIOPRODUCTS LABORATORY
UNIVERSITY OF PADOVA • DAFNAE DEPARTMENT
From waste streams to valuable resources.
The Waste to Bioproducts Laboratory is a multidisciplinary research group within the DAFNAE Department at the University of Padua, with more than two decades of experience in microbial biotechnology and waste valorisation. Established from the research legacy of Prof. Sergio Casella, the group brings together expertise in microbiology, biotechnology and bioprocess engineering.
WHAT WE WORK WITH
We turn agro-industrial residues and organic waste streams into resources for the circular bioeconomy. Our research targets high-value bioproducts including bioplastics, industrial enzymes, biofuels, biogas and biohydrogen.
HOW WE WORK
We integrate microbial fermentation, anaerobic digestion, enzyme technology and strain engineering, developing and optimizing processes from bench-scale experiments to controlled fermentation systems up to 100 L.
OUR PURPOSE
Science that turns waste into opportunity.
OUR MISSION
TURNING WASTE INTO VALUE
Our mission is to develop sustainable biotechnological processes that unlock the potential of organic waste and agro-industrial residues. By combining scientific expertise and process development, we transform underused resources into valuable solutions for a circular bioeconomy.
OUR VISION
TOWARDS A CIRCULAR ECONOMY
We envision a future where waste becomes a resource for new and sustainable production systems. Our ambition is to bridge scientific discovery and real-world application, advancing biotechnology towards scalable solutions with environmental and industrial value.
OUR APPROACH
From waste to bioproducts.
Our research covers the entire biotechnological conversion pathway, from the selection and characterisation of renewable feedstocks to microbial and enzymatic conversion, process development and scale-up.
01
WASTE STREAMS
Renewable feedstocks
We valorise agro-industrial residues and organic waste streams as sustainable raw materials for bioprocesses.
02
BIOTECHNOLOGY
HARNESSING BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS
We apply microbial fermentation, anaerobic processes, enzyme technology and strain engineering to convert complex substrates into valuable molecules.
03
PROCESS DEVELOPMENT
FROM LAB-SCALE TO SCALE-UP
We develop and optimise processes from bench-scale experiments to controlled bioreactor systems, with fermentation capabilities up to 100 L.
04
BIOPRODUCTS
CREATING VALUABLE OUTPUTS
We generate high-value bioproducts including bioplastics, biofuels, biogas and industrial enzymes for real-world applications.
FROM RESEARCH TO INNOVATION
Bringing biotechnology beyond the laboratory.
Our research is designed not only to advance scientific knowledge, but also to translate biotechnology into scalable solutions. This approach has contributed to the development of entrepreneurial initiatives emerging from the research activities and expertise of our group.
AGRI-E
From rice residues to renewable bioethanol
Agri-E develops biotechnological processes for the valorisation of rice-derived residues through Consolidated Bioprocessing (CBP), integrating enzyme production, biomass hydrolysis and fermentation for sustainable bioethanol production.
UROBO BIOTECH
Giving bioplastics a new life
Urobo Biotech develops biological approaches for the end-of-life valorisation of bioplastics, combining microbial and enzymatic technologies to transform biodegradable polymers into new valuable resources.
BEYOND THE LAB
Research built on collaboration.
Our research grows through collaboration. WtoB participates in regional and European research projects and works within an international network of universities, research institutions, companies and innovative organisations to translate scientific knowledge into sustainable solutions.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
From regional initiatives to European research programmes, collaborative projects allow us to combine complementary expertise, explore new technologies and address complex challenges in the circular bioeconomy.
REGIONAL ⋅ EUROPEAN ⋅ COLLABORATIVE
COLLABORATIVE NETWORK
Our network connects WtoB with universities, research institutions and industrial partners in Italy and internationally, strengthening the link between fundamental research, technological development and real-world applications.
ACADEMIA ⋅ INDUSTRY ⋅ INTERNATIONAL
OUR TEAM
Science is driven by people.
Behind every process, experiment and innovation is a multidisciplinary team combining expertise in microbiology, biotechnology and bioprocess engineering, working together to turn scientific ideas into sustainable solutions.
RESEARCH TEAM MEMBERS
PhDSTUDENTS
POSTDOCS &
RESEARCH FELLOWS
THESIS
STUDENTS
