On 3 September 2026, the workshop “Partnership for Research and Innovation for Sustainable Agriculture in Lebanon” was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Verdun, Beirut.

The workshop was organised by ICU – Istituto per la Cooperazione Universitaria, in collaboration with Consumers Lebanon (CONL), within the framework of the FUSION Project.

The event brought together researchers, universities, public institutions and development partners, as well as representatives of PRIMA projects working in Lebanon. FUSION was among the projects presented during the workshop.

The programme included presentations of the participating PRIMA projects, providing an opportunity to share their results, innovative approaches, successful practices, lessons learned and challenges. The presentations were followed by discussions involving the participants and project representatives.

The workshop also featured a panel discussion involving the implementing partners of the projects in Lebanon. The discussion provided an opportunity to share experiences and perspectives from the partners involved and concluded with a discussion and the formulation of recommendations.

The event brought together different stakeholders involved in research, innovation and agriculture, with the participating projects presenting their work and exchanging knowledge and experiences.

For FUSION, the workshop was an opportunity to present the project as part of the PRIMA projects working in Lebanon and to participate in the discussions with researchers, institutions, development partners and other stakeholders attending the event.

The Agricultural Research Center – Plant Protection Research Institute (ARC-PPRI), a partner of the FUSION project, participated with a poster presentation in the Second Agricultural Research Center Exhibition in Egypt.

The exhibition was held alongside the First International Conference on Sustainable Development of Livestock, Poultry, and Fish Resources, organised by the Agricultural Research Center from 20 to 22 July 2026 at the Agricultural Research Center premises.

Showcasing Agricultural Innovation

The exhibition brought together approximately 75 local and international companies, as well as research institutes and laboratories affiliated with the Agricultural Research Center and relevant regional and international organisations.

Participants showcased agricultural equipment, modern technologies, and agricultural production supplies aimed at supporting the development of the agricultural sector and contributing to the reduction of food loss and waste.

As part of its participation, ARC-PPRI presented a poster highlighting the ongoing work of the FUSION project (GA2431) and its focus on sustainable innovations to reduce food waste and enhance food security in Egypt and across the Mediterranean region.

Connecting Research and Innovation

Through activities such as this exhibition, FUSION partners contribute to raising the visibility of the project’s work and sharing its objectives with stakeholders involved in agricultural research and innovation.

FUSION brings together research and innovation activities aimed at improving food value chains, strengthening resilience, and supporting more sustainable agricultural systems in the Mediterranean region.

The participation of ARC in the exhibition provided an opportunity to showcase the FUSION project alongside other agricultural research, technologies, and solutions, highlighting the importance of collaboration and innovation in addressing food loss and waste.

The Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences (FORTH/ICE-HT), a partner of the FUSION project, has published new scientific research that further demonstrates the potential of cold plasma technologies.

The peer-reviewed paper, entitled «Dual-function water treatment by nanopulsed gas-liquid DBD plasma: Individual and simultaneous E. coli inactivation and valsartan degradation», demonstrates how cold plasma technology can simultaneously inactivate microbial contaminants such as E. coli and degrade pharmaceutical residues, including valsartan, in water.

Although the study focuses on water treatment, it further demonstrates the versatility and effectiveness of cold plasma technologies, one of the key innovations being explored within the FUSION project.

Similar plasma-based approaches are being investigated in FUSION to reduce microbial contamination on fresh fruits, contributing to safer food and lower post-harvest losses across the Mediterranean.

Scientific advances such as this reinforce FUSION’s mission of developing innovative and sustainable technologies that improve food preservation, resource efficiency, and the resilience of agri-food systems.

The FUSION project highlights the contribution of its partner KeepCool, a Spanish company specializing in solutions to improve the preservation of fruits and vegetables. In 2024, KeepCool was recognized as the startup with the greatest international projection by the Food4Future platform, reflecting the growing relevance of its technology in the agri-food sector.

Technical Innovation for Post-Harvest Preservation

Within the framework of the FUSION project, KeepCool contributes with technologies focused on air quality control and ethylene management—two critical factors in the preservation of fresh produce.

Its solutions include ethylene-absorbing filters and air purification and disinfection systems designed for use in storage chambers, transport vehicles, and other stages of the agri-food value chain. These technologies help slow down the natural ripening process of fruits and vegetables, while also reducing the presence of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

KeepCool’s patented technology offers a high absorption capacity, reaching up to 7.84 liters per kilogram, which represents a significant improvement compared to conventional solutions.

Advancing Circular Economy Practices

A key aspect of KeepCool’s approach is the integration of circular economy principles into its products. The company has developed filters made with materials such as pharmaceutical-grade Tyvek, which allows air to pass through while preventing liquids from crossing.

After their use in storage and transport, these filters can be returned to the soil by producers. Initial tests conducted at the experimental farm Las Palmerillas (Almería) have shown promising results, including improvements in soil conditions such as water retention.

This approach contributes to reducing waste while creating additional value beyond the primary use of the product.

Contribution to Reducing Food Loss

KeepCool’s technologies are designed to improve preservation conditions throughout the supply chain, helping to reduce post-harvest losses of perishable products such as fruits and vegetables. In this way, they support broader efforts to improve efficiency and sustainability in agri-food systems.

Towards More Sustainable Food Systems

Through its participation in FUSION, KeepCool contributes practical and scalable solutions that address key challenges in food preservation. By combining technological innovation with circular economy practices, the company supports the development of more sustainable and resilient food systems across the Mediterranean region.

The Egyptian Fusion Project reached a significant milestone this week as team members gathered at the Plant Protection Research Institute for a high-level coordination meeting. Chaired by Prof. Dr. Tarek Afifi El-Sheikh, the session focused on synchronizing efforts between Egypt’s leading scientific institutions to drive the project’s upcoming phases.

A Unified Scientific Front
The meeting brought together a diverse group of experts dedicated to the project’s success, representing the Agricultural Research Center (ARC) and the Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA).
Participants included Prof. Dr. Adel Hatem (Principal Investigator, ARC), Dr. Gamal Hassan (ARC), Dr. Magda Hashem (ARC), Dr. Reda Hassan (EAEA), Dr. Heba El-Sharkawy (EAEA), Dr. Waheed Ahmed (Participating via online link).
While the team moved forward with productive dialogue, the PDS representative was unable to attend and sent their apologies due to health reasons.

Planning for Impact: Field Days and Training
A primary focus of the discussion was the rollout of upcoming field days and specialized training courses. The team meticulously reviewed the logistical and educational frameworks required to ensure these sessions provide maximum value to stakeholders.

Items finalized during the session included:

• Communication Materials: Design and production of informative brochures and event banners.
• Logistics: Finalizing schedules and venue coordination.
• Scientific Rigor: Defining the core scientific content and coordinating with expert lecturers to deliver high-quality instruction.

Looking Toward the Third General Assembly
In addition to domestic planning, the committee addressed international logistics for the Third General Assembly in Greece. The team discussed necessary visa arrangements and administrative preparations to ensure a seamless Egyptian presence at this prestigious international forum.

The Path Forward
The meeting concluded on a high note, with a clear roadmap of agreed-upon next steps. This gathering reinforces the spirit of continued collaboration between the ARC and EAEA, ensuring the Egyptian Fusion Project remains on track to meet its ambitious scientific and developmental goals.

In many key sectors—such as agri-food, logistics, or product preservation—there is a silent enemy that is rarely seen but can change everything: the lack of real-time information. This is especially critical in remote environments, rural areas, or locations without telecommunications infrastructure.

What happens when we don’t know what’s happening inside a container, warehouse, or storage chamber? The answer is simple: risk, uncertainty, and loss.

The Problem: Making Decisions Blindly

Gases such as ethylene (C₂H₄), oxygen (O₂), and carbon dioxide (CO₂) play an important role in the ripening, preservation, and quality of many products, especially fruits, vegetables, and other perishable goods.

Uncontrolled ethylene can accelerate ripening, while incorrect oxygen or carbon dioxide levels can lead to spoilage and quality loss.

However, in many situations:

• There is no internet connection.
• Mobile coverage is unreliable.
• Physical access to control points is difficult or costly.

This often forces people to rely on occasional measurements, manual inspections, or—worse—assumptions. And when dealing with sensitive products, assumptions are not enough.

The Solution: Data Where There Was None

As part of the FUSION project, our task was to meet this challenge. We are developing devices capable of continuously monitoring ethylene, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, even in the most isolated locations, thanks to satellite connectivity.

This means the data does not depend on local networks, routers, SIM cards, or existing infrastructure. The devices can be deployed almost anywhere and continue sending reliable information in real time.

Why Is This So Important?

Having real-time data allows you to:

• Detect problems before they become irreversible
• Optimize preservation and transportation processes
• Reduce food waste and financial losses
• Make decisions based on facts, not guesses
• Extend monitoring to areas that were previously unreachable

In short, it’s about democratizing access to information, even in extreme or disconnected contexts.

A Step Towards Smarter, More Sustainable Management

The ability to monitor critical gases without relying on infrastructure opens the door to more efficient, sustainable, and resilient management models. Less waste, greater control, and more peace of mind for those handling sensitive products.

Because it’s not just about measuring gases.
It’s about having visibility, even when everything else is out of reach.