BKEA Ltd

23/09/2026

We are pleased to share a new feature in THINK Magazine highlighting our work on the SustainOlive project – “A Complete Sustainable Greener Route for the Utilization of Olive Pomace: Production of Bioactive Sprout Inhibitors and Alternative Proteins.”

“Extracting Green Gold from Olive Waste”, authored by Dr Frederick Lia and Karen Lia Attard, explores how SustainOlive is transforming olive pomace, a major by-product of olive oil production, into a valuable resource. Through greener extraction and valorisation approaches, the project is investigating the recovery of bioactive compounds and proteins and their potential use in higher-value applications.

SustainOlive brings together BKEA Ltd (Malta) and Middle East Technical University (METU), Türkiye, combining expertise in green extraction, analytical chemistry, food science and sustainable biomass utilisation.

The project is funded through the Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) – TÜBİTAK Joint Call for R&I Proposals 2024, under Project MCST-TÜBİTAK-2024-11, supporting research collaboration between Malta and Türkiye.

A big thank you to THINK Magazine for featuring our work and helping us communicate how scientific research can contribute to a more circular and sustainable agri-food sector.

Read the article: https://thinkmagazine.mt/sustainolive-extracting-green-gold-from-olive-waste/

Only a fraction of a pressed olive’s nutrients reaches your bottle of oil, leaving behind a goldmine of unused compounds and proteins.

01/09/2026

BKEA Ltd was pleased to host Dr. Małgorzata Nowacka from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW) in Malta as part of the APRISE project.

The secondment provided an excellent opportunity for knowledge exchange and scientific discussion on food science, innovative food technologies, sustainable food systems, and the development and characterisation of novel food products and ingredients. It also provided an opportunity to share BKEA Ltd’s research activities, laboratory infrastructure and analytical expertise.

We sincerely thank Dr. Małgorzata Nowacka for visiting BKEA Ltd and for the valuable discussions, exchange of expertise and collaborative spirit throughout her stay. We look forward to strengthening our collaboration and exploring future opportunities for joint research.

We also gratefully acknowledge the support of the APRISE project, funded under the EU ERA Talents Programme under Grant Agreement No. 101216976, for making this staff exchange and knowledge-sharing opportunity possible.

28/08/2026

The SUSTAINOLIVE project, led by Dr Frederick Lia, has been featured in THINK Magazine in an article highlighting the continued collaboration between Malta 🇲🇹 and Türkiye 🇹🇷 in research and innovation.

Supported through the Xjenza Malta–TÜBİTAK Joint Call, SUSTAINOLIVE brings together expertise from both countries to explore sustainable approaches for the valorisation of olive pomace, transforming an important agri-food by-product into a potential source of valuable compounds and materials.

A sincere thank you to Xjenza Malta and TÜBİTAK for their continued support of international research and innovation, fostering valuable collaborations and creating new opportunities for Maltese researchers and organisations to strengthen and expand their international research networks.

Read the full article in THINK Magazine:

https://thinkmagazine.mt/xjenza-malta-and-tubitak-support-five-new-transnational-ri-projects/

Xjenza Malta and TÜBİTAK signed a Protocol for Cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation to strengthen R&I cooperation between Malta and Türkiye.

24/08/2026

BKEA Ltd was pleased to host four students from Middle East Technical University (METU) and the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA) in Malta as part of the APRISE project. 🌍🔬

During their secondments, the students gained hands-on research experience across different areas of alternative proteins, sustainable extraction and analytical characterisation:

🔬 Ahmet Orçun Ataseven (METU) – green extraction and functional characterisation of olive pomace proteins using deep eutectic solvents (DES).

🌿 Zeynep Canan Baş (METU) – alternative protein extraction from olive pomace, focusing on alkaline and isoelectric extraction methods.

🧪 Deniz Sevim Çabuk (METU) – sugar profiling and analytical characterisation, developing practical laboratory and analytical skills.

🌱 Elena Lekakou (AUA) – working with microalgal biomass and extracts, including extraction techniques, chemical characterisation and bioactivity assessment.

It was a pleasure having all four students with us and seeing the enthusiasm, collaboration and knowledge exchange that took place throughout their time at BKEA. We wish them every success in their studies, research and future careers!

We gratefully acknowledge the APRISE project, funded by the European Union under the ERA Talents Programme (Grant Agreement No. 101216976), for supporting these valuable research mobility and training opportunities.

23/07/2026

BKEA Ltd was pleased to host Dr. Natasha Ristovska from Green Growth Platform in Malta as part of the APRISE project.

The secondment provided an excellent opportunity for knowledge exchange on research and innovation, sustainable resource use, bioactive compounds, waste valorisation and circular bioeconomy solutions. It also allowed us to share experience in Horizon Europe project development and management, knowledge transfer, stakeholder engagement and science-to-policy approaches.

We sincerely thank Dr Natasha Ristovska and Green Growth Platform for the inspiring discussions, collaborative spirit and valuable exchange throughout the visit.

We also gratefully acknowledge the support of the APRISE project, funded under the EU ERA Talents Programme under Grant Agreement No. 101216976, for making this staff exchange and knowledge-sharing opportunity possible.

As part of the APRISE project, Dr. Natasha Ristovska from Green Growth Platform completed a secondment at BKEA Ltd in Malta from 13–19 July 2026.

Hosted by Dr. Frederick Lia and the BKEA team, the secondment provided an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge on research and innovation, sustainable resource use, bioactive compounds, waste valorisation, and circular bioeconomy solutions, while also sharing experience in Horizon Europe project development and management, knowledge transfer, stakeholder engagement, and science-to-policy approaches.

The secondment contributed to the APRISE objectives of strengthening research and innovation capacities through international staff mobility, fostering interdisciplinary knowledge exchange, developing transferable skills, and building long-term collaborations between academic and non-academic organisations to address sustainability challenges in the agri-food sector.

Green Growth Platform sincerely thanks Dr. Frederick Lia, Karen Attard, and the entire BKEA Ltd. team for their warm hospitality, inspiring discussions, and commitment to international collaboration. We also gratefully acknowledge the support of the APRISE project (Grant Agreement No. 101216976), funded under the EU ERA Talents Programme, for making this valuable staff exchange and knowledge-sharing opportunity possible.

03/07/2026

As part of the APRISE project, BKEA Ltd. researchers Dr Frederick Lia and Karen Attard recently completed a one-week secondment at the Agricultural University of Athens AUA (Γεωπονικό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών - Agricultural University of Athens -Οfficial) in Greece, where they participated in an intensive programme of scientific training, laboratory demonstrations, and industrial visits focused on alternative proteins and sustainable bioprocessing.

Hosted by Prof. Seraphim Papanikolaou, Dr Gabriel I. Vasilakis, and Dr Georgios Bekiaris, the secondment provided Dr Frederick Lia and Karen Attard with valuable exposure to advanced research laboratories specialising in microbial biotechnology, fermentation, and bioprocess engineering. Participants explored laboratory- and pilot-scale bioreactor systems for submerged fermentation, solid-state cultivation of mycelium, microbial production of alternative proteins, and the production of high-value metabolites, including polyols and organic acids. The programme also included demonstrations of advanced analytical instrumentation, including HPLC systems used for the characterisation and monitoring of fermentation products, together with lectures covering alternative proteins, sustainable bioprocessing, bioactive compounds, and the development of innovative meatless food products. The secondment also included a visit to Solmeyea, an innovative biotechnology company pioneering the conversion of industrial CO₂ emissions into high-value bioproducts through microalgae cultivation.

BKEA Ltd. would like to sincerely thank all colleagues at the Agricultural University of Athens for their warm hospitality, outstanding scientific expertise, and commitment to international collaboration. We also extend our gratitude to the SOLMEYEA team for showcasing their innovative carbon utilisation technologies and sharing their industrial expertise. Finally, we thank the entire APRISE consortium and the European Union ERA TALENTS Programme for supporting this valuable mobility, training, and knowledge-exchange opportunity.

Project 101216976

01/07/2026

We are delighted to share that Dr. Frederick Lia and Karen Attard from BKEA Ltd. had the opportunity to attend the APRISE Training School held at the Agricultural University of Athens AUA OFC, in Greece. (Γεωπονικό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών - Agricultural University of Athens -Οfficial)

During the training school, Dr. Frederick Lia delivered a presentation entitled “Extraction and Analysis of Plant-Based Natural Products”, where he shared insights into sustainable extraction technologies, advanced analytical techniques, and the valorisation of plant-derived bioactive compounds. The session encouraged engaging discussions and the exchange of knowledge among researchers and partners from across Europe.

The APRISE Training School provided an excellent platform for sharing expertise, expanding knowledge, and promoting innovation in sustainable food systems and alternative proteins. It was a valuable opportunity to learn from leading experts, explore new research perspectives, and strengthen the scientific network within the APRISE consortium.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the APRISE consortium, the organisers, and the Agricultural University of Athens for hosting such a well-organised and inspiring Training School. We look forward to continuing our involvement in the project and applying the knowledge gained through this enriching experience.

Project 101216976

25/06/2026

BKEA Ltd was pleased to participate in KOS 2026 – the 13th International Conference on Sustainable Solid Waste Management, held in Kos, Greece.

The conference brought together leading researchers, industry experts, and policymakers from across the globe to discuss innovative solutions for sustainable waste management, circular bioeconomy, resource recovery, biotechnology, waste valorisation, and environmental sustainability.

During the conference, BKEA Ltd presented its research entitled "Enzymatic Extraction and Sulphur Dioxide Stabilisation Strategies for Preserving Phenolics in Olive Mill Waste", showcasing innovative approaches for the recovery and preservation of valuable bioactive compounds from olive mill waste streams.

KOS 2026 provided an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge, establish new collaborations, and explore emerging technologies that contribute to a more sustainable and circular future.

We would like to thank the organisers and all participants for the valuable discussions and networking opportunities.

This research was funded by the project 'Green Valorization of Olive Pomace Waste for Nutraceuticals and Cosmeceuticals (OliveGreen), financed by Xjenza Malta through the FUSION: R&I Research Excellence Programme 2024 REP-2024-054.

Frederick Lia Karen Attard Mark Caffari

24/06/2026

As part of the APRISE project, BKEA Ltd. researchers Dr Frederick Lia and Karen Attard recently completed a secondment at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW / Warsaw University of Life Sciences), where they had the opportunity to engage with leading researchers, advanced research facilities, and innovative food production technologies.

Hosted by Dr Małgorzata Nowacka and Dr Katarzyna Rybak, the secondment provided Dr Frederick Lia and Karen Attard with valuable exposure to advanced analytical laboratories, pilot-scale processing facilities, and food production and gastronomy centres. The visit focused on food science, biotechnology, sustainable processing, and alternative proteins. Participants explored innovative technologies for food processing, bioactive compound extraction, fermentation, protein recovery and characterisation, while also observing modern food engineering equipment and analytical systems used for food quality assessment and product development.

BKEA Ltd. would like to sincerely thank Dr Małgorzata Nowacka, Ph.D., Dr Katarzyna Rybak, PhD, and all colleagues at Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS) for their warm hospitality, expertise, guidance, and commitment to international research collaboration. We would also like to express our gratitude to the APRISE consortium and the European Union ERA TALENTS programme for making this excellent mobility, training, and knowledge-exchange opportunity possible.

Project 101216976

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14/05/2026

It was a pleasure attending the 1st ENFiber International Conference in Tartu, hosted by the Estonian University of Life Sciences. The conference was a great opportunity to meet researchers working in different areas of fibre and biomass valorisation, exchange ideas, and discuss potential collaborations.

We also had the opportunity to present our poster:
“Optimisation of Enzymatic and Processing Conditions for the Recovery of Bioactive Phenolics from Olive Pomace.”

Many thanks to Mecit Halil Oztop and the organising team for the smooth organisation and welcoming environment throughout the conference.