The 2025 annual meeting of CRI Dsolve was successfully held in Porsgrunn 2nd – 3rd of April. The meeting gathered 27 partner representatives, including members of the National and International Advisory Board, Research Area leaders and PhD candidates, and additionally digital representation from South-Korean and national partners. This year annual meeting was hosted by one of the Dsolve project research partner, Norner Research AS. They shared valuable insights into their expertise in polymer research and innovation, including polymer synthesis, characterization, application testing, lifetime predictions, and the qualification of plastic materials for various industrial applications, such as fishing and aquaculture. They also addressed issues related to microplastics and marine littering. On the second day, the participants were given a guided tour of Norner`s impressive lab facilities, providing new insight in the practical work on testing and developing biodegradable plastic materials within the Dsolve project. This opportunity was highly appreciated by all participants and fostered a valuable common understanding within the consortium of the complexity of the polymer research.
Further the annual meeting discussed the results of the Norwegian Research Council midterm evaluation that took place in February and plans to follow up the recommendations of the evaluation panel. Plans for the final three-year period of the CRI were discussed, and in addition, future activities beyond the centre period were put on the agenda. Research status within the various Research Areas (RA`s) were presented by RA leaders and the PhD candidates, and the innovation potential discussed, including the potential for knowledge development and policy development.
The gathering also included a joint dinner and offered a valuable possibility to interact with CRI partners and get input from both the National and the International Advisory Board.
