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Research Ireland funding awarded to turn harmful plants into sustainable materials
The NEIS-Bio (Natural Extractives from Invasive Species for Biobased Solutions) project will explore how invasive plants in Sligo can be repurposed into eco-friendly materials for industry and community use.
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Researcher, Dr Salem Gharbia as a lead researcher together with Dr Giordano Bernardes as a Co-PI, have been awarded €219,196.25 in funding from Research Ireland’s COALESCE programme to explore turning Alien Aquatic Species (IAAS) into sustainable, cellulose-based materials.
This project has the potential to contribute significantly to environmental sustainability by turning Invasive Species into a valuable resource, said Dr Gharbia.
Alien Invasive Species (AIS) are plants that spread rapidly, disrupt local ecosystems, and threaten biodiversity. Rather than simply removing these plants, the NEIS-Bio project aims to transform them into valuable, eco-friendly resources, tackling environmental challenges while creating sustainable materials for industry and the community.
The first year of the project will map and assess the most problematic plant species in Sligo to uncover their growth patterns and environmental impact. This will allow the team to identify which plants have the most promising cellulose properties for extraction.
In the second year, researchers will extract cellulose and compare it with common fibres like flax and jute to explore its potential as a sustainable industrial material. This work will help determine how these invasive plants could be repurposed for applications in construction, water filtration, and medical devices.
“The aim is to make a positive impact by addressing environmental problems while also creating opportunities for sustainable resource development”, explained Dr Gharbia.
NEIS-Bio could serve as a blueprint for similar initiatives across other regions nationally and internationally, showing how invasive plants can be turned into valuable resources. The project not only supports the creation of sustainable products but also helps reduce reliance on non-renewable materials, offering greener alternatives for industries and communities managing these species.
Featured Image: Dr Salem Gharbia and Dr Giordano Bernardes at the NEIS-Bio project’s first workshop with several stakeholders.
Jorden McMenamin
Communications Officer
Tel: 074 918 6127
E: jorden.mcmenamin@atu.ie
