6 November 2025

NETmicroplastic Conference Meeting

NETmicroplastic’s mission is to improve our understanding of microplastics in soil and to promote science-based, multi-faceted assessments of the prevalence and fate of plastics in agricultural and viticultural environments. The knowledge and evidence generated by the network will serve as a basis for policy recommendations. We aim to promote and support innovative management practices, particularly in viticulture, which will protect and improve soil health and benefit the environment and people.

Hosted by the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, this conference brings together a wide audience from various sectors including agriculture and viticulture, policy, industry and academia. The full-day conference programme will first present the state of research on microplastics in soils and examine the role of fertilisers as a source of plastic contamination. It will then explore whether and how new developments in biodegradable polymer materials may offer a solution to microplastic pollution of soils.

Join us for this exciting event, meet NETmicroplastic partners and associate members, and take part in meaningful and engaging discussions with our stakeholders and experts!

PROGRAMME

9:00
Arrival & coffee

9:20
Welcome & introduction to the NETmicroplastic network, Claudia Preininger (AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH)

9:30-10:00
~ Microplastics in agricultural soil – sources, regulations, potential solutions, Christian Lott (HYDRA Marine Sciences GmbH)

10:00 – 11:00
Impact of the use of plastics on agricultural soil – results from field studies

~ Results from farmer surveys and soil samples in 10 European countries and overall sustainability impacts of agriplastics, Ildiko Heim (Fibl Austria)

~ A multi-criteria farm-level decision support tool for the sustainability assessment of agro-plastic practices, Amila Abeynayaka (Technical University of Denmark)

~ Biodegradable mulch film for the harvest of Abelmoschus esculentus in arid climates, Ferran Martí Ferrer (Aimplas)

11:00-11:30
Coffee break

11:30-12:30
Fertilizers as a source of microplastics in soil

~ Microplastics in organic waste management, Melanie Brait & Florian Brunner (Austrian Compost & Biogas Association)

~ Composting compostable plastics – an investigation of microplastics and environmental impact, Julia Möller (Wageningen University & Research)

~ Swiss study on biodegradable plastics: regulations, market insights and environmental relevance, Gabriel Gerner (ZHAW Life Sciences and Facility Management)

12:30-13:30
Lunch

13:30-14:30
Tour of the stakeholder exhibition

14:30-15:30
Panel discussion: Sharing ideas and best practice in the field and vineyard
Moderation: Martin Kainz (University for Continuing Education Krems)

15:30 – 16:30
Networking with local wine & snacks

REGISTRATION:
https://easy-feedback.de/conference-meeting/1971049/1nd13v

EVENT VENUE

University and Research Center Tulln
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH
Center for Health and Bioresources
Competence Unit Bioresources
Konrad-Lorenz-Straße 24 | 3430 Tulln | Austria

https://www.ait.ac.at/en/about-the-ait/locations-and-subsidiary-enterprises/tulln

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Arrival by plane

From Vienna Schwechat Airport, take the transit train or the City Airport Train (CAT) to Landstraße-Wien Mitte. There, transfer to the U4 metro (green line) heading towards Heiligenstadt. At Heiligenstadt, switch to the REX train bound for Tulln/Donau.

Arrival by train

Direct trains run from Vienna’s Franz-Josefs-Bahnhof to Tulln/Donau. If you are using public transport within Vienna, it’s best to change at Spittelau (U4, U6) or Heiligenstadt (U4, S45). If you are coming from Linz, Salzburg, or Munich, switch to the S40 train at Tullnerfeld to reach Tulln/Donau.

For detailed schedules and further information, please visit:
www.oebb.at | www.vor.at

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