Within the framework of the Swedish Institute grant project 00237/2025 BIOSORBWATECH «Development of sustainable technologies for water and wastewater treatment using biosorbents», a delegation of the State University of Trade and Economics (SUTE) and the Public Organisation «Ukrainian Society of Commodity Scientists and Technologists» (PO «USCST») visited the Maria Curie-Sklodowska University (UMCS, Lublin, Poland) to participate in the project coordination meeting. The event took place from June 16 to 22, 2026.

The delegation included: Iryna Goncharova – coordinator of the project from SUTE and Ukraine, Associate Professor of the Department of Commodity Science and Pharmacy; Olena Sydorenko – Professor, Head of the Department of Commodity Science and Pharmacy; Taras Karavayev – Professor of the Department of Commodity Science and Customs Affairs, Executive Secretary of the PO «USCST».

The program of the working visit was meaningful, rich, and productive.

Exchange of experience and scientific reports. During the coordination meeting, project partners from Sweden, Poland, Latvia, and Ukraine discussed the results of research on monitoring the quality of natural waters for heavy metals using the Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology, water and wastewater treatment by reagent and reagent-free methods with biosorbents, which are extremely relevant during martial law and are of great importance for the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.

Representatives of SUTE had the honour to present scientific reports to the expert community within the framework of the project's topics:

• Iryna Goncharova «Advanced technologies for water quality monitoring and purification. Overview of SI activities in Ukraine – research work and ideas for possible collaboration».
• Olena Sydorenko «Priority research areas in the field of water resources of the Department of Commodity Science and Pharmacy, SUTE, Ukraine».
• Taras Karavayev «Mineral clays in water treatment – general overview of research activities and potential for Ukraine».

The delegation participated in the discussion during the speeches of foreign colleagues.

Official meetings. An important part of the visit was an official meeting with the University leadership – Vice-Rectors of UMCS: Professor Wiesław Gruszecki and Professor Dorota Kołodyńska, during which were discussed institutional support for joint initiatives and reached a preliminary agreement on signing a Cooperation Agreement between the Marie Curie-Sklodowska University and the State University of Trade and Economics.

Discussions and plans for the future. The fruitful meetings and discussions were held, where plans for further scientific collaboration and new joint projects to address global environmental problems were discussed.

Familiarization with the scientific and instrumental base. The participants of the visit from SUTE got acquainted with the modern laboratories of UMCS (in particular, the Department of Polymer Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, and the Central Laboratory of the University), innovative analytical equipment from leading international companies, and practical research by Polish colleagues.

We sincerely thank the host party – Professor Beata Podkościelna, Associate Professor Marta Goliszek-Chabros and all the staff of the Marie Curie-Sklodowska University for the high level of preparation of the meeting, and our partner colleagues from Sweden, Poland, Latvia, and Ukraine – for the inspiring atmosphere and constructive dialogue!

Special thanks to Associate Professor Olena Sevastyanova, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden – the main coordinator of the BIOSORBWATECH project, and the Swedish Institute Foundation for funding the project.

Iryna Goncharova,

Associate Professor of the Department of Commodity Science and Pharmacy,

Coordinator of the BIOSORBWATECH project from SUTE and Ukraine

Olena Sydorenko,

Professor, Head of the Department of Commodity Science and Pharmacy

Taras Karavayev,

Professor of the Department of Commodity Science and Customs Affairs, 

Executive Secretary of the PO «USCST»