Professor Katarzyna Chojnacka MAE discusses her pioneering work in sustainable technologies and shares insights on contributing to climate-neutral urban innovations.
#BuildingBridges2024SpotlightSeries
About Katarzyna Chojnacka
Katarzyna Chojnacka MAE is a Professor of Technical Sciences in the Faculty of Chemistry at Wrocław University of Science and Technology (WUST), Poland. She specialises in sustainable technologies, circular economy, and the valorization of wastes into fertilizers, with a particular focus on bioregulators and biosorption. She has pioneered a unique, world-first method for introducing micronutrients into food to create functional foods with added microelements. Her research has also led to the development of innovative fertilizers and feed additives for livestock through biosorption, as well as various biostimulants for plant growth. Since 2013, she has served as an expert for the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in the field of registration assessments of plant protection products. In 2020, she was elected to Academia Europaea in the Chemical Sciences Section.
As part of Academia Europaea’s annual conference, Building Bridges 2024, Professor Chojnacka will participate in a panel discussion on urban innovations alongside Kathrin Golda-Pongratz, Phoebe Koundouri, and Simon Goldhill.
Read the interview
Can you share a bit about your journey in the field of circular economy and sustainable technologies, and what motivated you to focus on this area of research?
“My journey began with an interest in solving inefficiencies in nutrient delivery systems. Through research, I developed a unique method to introduce micronutrients into food by using natural biosorbents, creating bioavailable functional food products. This approach emerged as a response to traditional mineral supplements that are often poorly absorbed and pass through the body, with limited health benefits.
Seeing the impact of biosorption technology, I expanded my focus to sustainable technologies, including the development of innovative fertilizers and feed additives for livestock, as well as the valorisation of different types of biomass into fertilizers and plant growth biostimulants. These innovations align with the principles of the circular economy, aiming to reduce waste, improve resource efficiency, and promote healthier food systems.”
The panel discussion at the conference focuses on urban innovations. How do you see your expertise in circular economy and sustainable technologies contributing to the development of smart, climate-neutral cities?
“My expertise in converting biomass and food waste into organic-mineral fertilisers can play a key role in driving urban innovations.
In cities, bio-waste from households and restaurants can be transformed into high-quality fertilisers that promote soil health and align with the principles of the circular economy. This process closes the loop on waste and supports urban farming initiatives, contributing to the sustainability and resilience of urban food systems. The use of bio-based materials supports cleaner technologies in cities, reducing reliance on synthetic inputs and lowering carbon footprints, which is essential for developing smart, climate-neutral cities.”
How do you envision the role of scientific research in supporting cities to achieve the EU Climate Neutral and Smart Cities mission?
“Scientific research provides the foundation for cities to implement practical, scalable solutions that reduce emissions and increase resource efficiency.
My work on biosorption technologies and nutrient cycling directly supports urban sustainability initiatives. These technologies convert urban waste streams into valuable resources like fertilisers and biostimulants, helping cities become more self-sufficient and reducing their environmental impact.
Research also enables the development of tailored solutions that cities can adopt to meet their unique challenges, contributing to the EU Climate Neutral and Smart Cities mission by fostering greener urban environments and supporting sustainable agriculture within city boundaries.”
In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges cities face in becoming climate-neutral and smart, and how can interdisciplinary collaboration help overcome these challenges?
“Cities face significant challenges, including waste management inefficiencies, pollution, and the need to integrate multiple systems such as transport, energy, and urban planning.
One of the major hurdles is creating closed-loop systems where waste is minimised and resources are reused effectively. Interdisciplinary collaboration plays a critical role in overcoming these challenges. The implementation of bio-waste valorisation requires collaboration between scientists, urban planners, policymakers, and local businesses to ensure effective waste collection, processing and distribution.
Each stakeholder brings valuable perspectives that, when integrated, can lead to the successful transformation of cities into smarter, climate-neutral environments.”
Published 28th November 2024. For more information contact AECardiffHub@cardiff.ac.uk
