30/Jun/2025

EU-Egypt workshop kicks off: Graphene Flagship projects in the spotlight

The EU-Egypt Workshop on Sustainable Multifunctional Materials and Structures has officially begun today, 30 June 2025, at the British University in Egypt (BUE), bringing together European and Egyptian experts in advanced materials, sustainability, and innovation.

Over the course of three days, the workshop will showcase breakthroughs in multifunctional materials developed under major Horizon Europe projects, including:

🔹 GIANCE – Graphene Alliance for Sustainable Multifunctional Materials to Tackle Environmental Challenges
🔹 SALIENT – Safer, Lighter, Circular, Smarter Vehicle Structures
🔹 BIOntier – Sustainable and Circular Bio-based Composites

These three projects are part of the Graphene Flagship ecosystem, supported by the European Commission and UKRI, aiming to transform key industrial sectors through high-performance, sustainable materials.

Scientific Leadership from GIANCE

The event is co-led by Prof. Ahmed Elmarakbi, Scientific Coordinator of GIANCE and Professor at Northumbria University. He opened the session by presenting the Horizon Europe portfolio and highlighted GIANCE’s mission: to develop scalable, graphene-based multifunctional materials for sectors such as automotive, aerospace, energy, and water treatment.

A technical presentation by Dr. Diogo Miguel Garcia Esperança (EURECAT) delved into the project’s latest advancements, focusing on:

  • Lightweight composites and coatings for clean mobility,

  • Membranes for advanced water purification,

  • Circular and environmentally conscious manufacturing processes.

Strengthening EU-Egypt Cooperation

The workshop represents a crucial step toward capacity building, knowledge transfer, and the creation of long-term strategic collaborations. Among the key objectives:

  • Enhancing local expertise via hands-on training and LCA tools,

  • Fostering dialogue between academia and industry,

  • Building consortia for future joint research under Horizon Europe.

This event serves as a living demonstration of the Graphene Flagship’s international impact, turning advanced research into real-world solutions for global sustainability.