Past Participants
We are proud of our past participants of the BISC-E Competition and hope they can inspire new generations of students. Discover them here.
Team Loaf Foam (2021)
A group of chemistry and biochemistry students from HOGent found a way to process bread waste into biodegradable packaging. Within their 'Loaf Foam'-project they made packing peanuts (filling chips that are used for packaging) from old bread scraps and set up a business case to collect this bread through a local collection point to avoid transport costs and emissions.
Team Valorised Carbon (2022)
In 2022, The Belgian edition was won by team Valorised Carbon and consisted of bio-engineers, veterinary and economic students. They showcased how to process plum seeds into activated carbon as a more sustainable alternative to coal. With some coaching from End-of-Waste, they competed in the European finals and won the second place!
Discover the Valorised Carbon-project through their competition video.
Team VSycle (2023)
In 2023, Team VSycle won the Belgian Competition and got second place in Europe. Their project is about developing new antifreeze proteins (AFPs) to protect fruit blossoms against spring frost. AFPs will keep water in a liquid state well below 0°C by binding small ice crystals and inhibiting further ice crystal growth. Antifreeze proteins can be sprayed on plants to protect them against frost. In doing so apples, pears, cherries, grapes, etc. that are normally lost due to frost damage, can be saved. The AFP designed by the team is non-toxic and biodegradable.
Team Charbrick (2024)
In 2024, team Charbrick won the Belgian competition by integrating biochar production with cement manufacturing. Biochar from pyrolysis of spent coffee grounds is mixed in the cement, rendering a better concrete. Coupling the liberated green energy from pyrolysis moreover reduces the fuel requirement for cement by 50%.
They eventually won second place at the European finals. Discover more about them in this news article.
Team AllioNova (2025)
In 2025, team AllioNova from Ghent University won second place in the European BISC-E finals. Their innovative bioreactor converts leek waste into sustainable raw materials for bioethanol and a natural rejuvenating cream called On Fleek. By combining local agriculture, green chemistry, and circular economy principles, the students impressed the jury with both scientific and commercial potential.
Discover their project video here
