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Nikola Pejović, Umka Cardboard Mill General Manager

Sustainability and Quality as Foundations of Trust

The Umka Cardboard Mill boasts a rich tradition dating all the way back to 1939, when it was first established to produce paper and...

Miodrag Kostić Endowment

Palace of Science Welcomes Visitors

Thanks to Miodrag Kostić’s gift to the Serbian society that’s worth over 25 million euros, an area of 5,500m² in one of Belgrade’s most...

dm drogerie

CSR Marks Milestone Year for dm

Retail chain dm drogerie markt, a leader in corporate social responsibility in Serbia, concluded its anniversary year with numerous humanitarian activities and monetary and...

Kathrine Decorzant, general manager, JTI Adriatica

Benchmark for Success

JTI represents one of the largest Japanese investments in Serbia and the country’s leading tobacco company, which has been recognised as a Top Employer...

Aleksandar Momčilović, sales and service manager at Daikin Serbia (Heating & Cooling expert)

Trust Built on Expertise

Daikin has introduced many global “firsts” and patented technologies that have become indispensable in modern air conditioners and heat pumps ~ says Diakin Serbia’s...

Jasmina Nikodinović-Runić, Scientific Advisor Of The Laboratory For Microbial Molecular Genetics And Ecology ((LMMGe) And The Institute Of Molecular Genetics And Genetic Engineering (IMGGE), University Of Belgrade

Remarkable Successes Exist, But Are Rare

Scientific advisor of the laboratory for microbial molecular genetics and ecology (LMMGE) and the institute of molecular genetics and genetic engineering (IMGGE), University of Belgrade

Climate change, the circular economy, sustainable mobility, food security, health and sustainable agriculture are key challenges that will shape the future of our society. With the Green Deal, the EU has set an ambitious strategy to achieve climate neutrality, transition to a circular economy and develop a more sustainable food system. Our food, cosmetics, clothing and other products and consumables across our lives need to become leaner and greener, and biotechnology solutions can contribute to responding to this need.

Although mostly imperceptible to us, microorganisms play key roles in carbon and nutrient cycling, human, animal and plant health, and failing to appreciate the importance of microbial processes fundamentally limits our understanding of Earth’s biosphere and our response to climate change, thus jeopardising efforts to create an environmentally sustainable future. Microbes are also a source of various products with applications across all major industries, including the pharmaceutical, chemical, food, environmental and agricultural industries. Microbial diversity provides a massive pool of inimitable chemicals, which are today becoming a treasured source for innovative biotechnology.

The eco-biotechnology and drug development group from the institute of molecular genetics and genetic engineering (University of Belgrade) is making remarkable progress on the biotechnological conversion of a variety of waste streams and by-products

Advanced molecular biotechnologies, incorporating the concepts and techniques of genetic engineering, molecular biology, systems and synthetic biology, evolutionary engineering, as well as green chemistry, biocatalysis and process engineering offer a conceptual and technological framework to expedite the creation of new enzymes and pathways, or the modification of existing ones, for the optimal production of desired products. By enabling the design of microorganisms a la carte, one can envisage an increase in the range of compounds that can be produced in an environmentally-friendly way to meet a large number of human needs – from drugs to new materials – thus increasing efficiency and decreasing undesirable Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

While Europe has a globally-recognised, high-performing scientific research community that has translated into industrial innovations – particularly innovations supporting the Green Agenda – in countries like Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and Ireland, regions like the Balkans (including Serbia) lag behind due to a lack of public and private investment in fundamental and applied environmental research.

On the other hand, the Eco-Biotechnology and Drug Development Group from the Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering (University of Belgrade) is making remarkable progress on the biotechnological conversion of a variety of waste streams and by-products into next generation biopigments (biobased dyes), biotherapeutics and biopolymers, which are intended for high value added applications that create an environmental and economic value. As such, they are part of two pan-EU consortia working on the “BioICEP” (www.bioicep. eu) and recently approved “EcoPlastiC” projects that provide for the innovative biotechnological upcycling of plastic waste into valuable bioplastic materials that are proving to be part of the solution for the global problem of plastic pollution.

Comment by Zoran Panović

The Absurdity of Reality

Amid the unfolding upheaval surrounding Trump’s return to the White House, mass Student-led protests have erupted in Serbia. The trigger was a tragedy at...

Florian Bieber, Professor for Southeast European History and Politics at the University of Graz and director of the Centre for Southeast European Studies

Autocratic Regimes Spark Mass Protests

Protests in Slovakia, Georgia and Serbia stem from different causes, but reflect broader political frustration and often inspire one another There have been large protest...

Vladan Marjanović, journalist of weekly news magazine Radar

Violence Threatens from Above and Below

With Trump’s return to the White House, the world has entered a period in which the power of state repression, based on the violating...

Slobodan G. Markovich, Faculty of Political Science of the University of Belgrade

The Mutiny of Zoomers and the Belgrade Student Protests

Gen Z in the West and Serbia seeks security and respect, expecting institutions – and not politicians – to deliver. Using likes, dislikes and...

New Agreement Boosts French Investments in Serbia

The Serbian Chamber of Commerce (PKS) and the French investment bank Banque publique d'investissement (BPI) have signed a Memorandum...

Novi Sad’s Ambitious Leap Boosted by Elleven

Novi Sad is setting the stage for a new era in business and innovation with the development of Elleven,...

Director Neil Jordan and Mary Coughlan, the Irish “Billie Holiday,” Guests of the 13th Belgrade Irish Festival

Renowned Irish film director Neil Jordan and exceptional Irish jazz and blues singer Mary Coughlan will visit Serbia for...

New Leadership for Serbia’s FIC

On February 12, 2025, the Foreign Investors Council (FIC) of Serbia elected a new leadership team. Dr. Ronalnd Seeliger,...

The Grand Reopening of The Bristol Belgrade

The Bristol Belgrade has officially reopened after an extensive two-and-a-half-year restoration, seamlessly combining its storied past with modern luxury. Renowned...

European Motorcycle Sales Surge in 2024

In 2024, Europe's five largest motorcycle markets saw a notable increase in sales, fueled by the demand for urban...

A New Front in the Trade War

President Donald Trump’s decision to impose 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports is stirring fresh tensions, particularly with...

Austrian Business Cooperation in Serbia

The annual survey by Advantage Austria on the business climate in Serbia for 2024 confirms the stability and growth...

The Hermitage Days are Being Held Again in Belgrade in 2025

The Hermitage Days in Serbia represent a unique international cultural project that will take place from February 19 to...

Djokovic into Australian Open Semifinals After Victory Over Alcaraz

The best Serbian tennis player, Novak Djokovic, secured his place in the Australian Open semifinals after an incredibly thrilling...

European Motorcycle Sales Surge in 2024

In 2024, Europe's five largest motorcycle markets saw a notable increase in sales, fueled by the demand for urban...

A New Front in the Trade War

President Donald Trump’s decision to impose 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports is stirring fresh tensions, particularly with...

Austrian Business Cooperation in Serbia

The annual survey by Advantage Austria on the business climate in Serbia for 2024 confirms the stability and growth...

The Hermitage Days are Being Held Again in Belgrade in 2025

The Hermitage Days in Serbia represent a unique international cultural project that will take place from February 19 to...

Djokovic into Australian Open Semifinals After Victory Over Alcaraz

The best Serbian tennis player, Novak Djokovic, secured his place in the Australian Open semifinals after an incredibly thrilling...
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