Eco-Convergence 2025: Bridging Academia, Industry, and Sustainability for a Greener Future

Eco-Convergence 2025 was held on March 27, 2025, at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Organized by the Institute of Environmental Professionals Sri Lanka (IEPSL), the event brought together environmental professionals, policymakers, academics, and industry stakeholders to discuss advancements in environmental conservation and sustainable development.

The Eco-Convergence 2025 conference gathered prominent figures from academia, industry, and innovation to explore pathways for sustainable growth, commercialization of research, and addressing urgent environmental issues. The event highlighted the collaboration needed between sectors to build a resilient, eco-friendly future for Sri Lanka. Through insightful discussions and expert-led presentations, the event highlighted the importance of eco-innovation, waste management, and sustainable practices in various industries.

The conference was also an excellent platform for the organizations focused on aligning industries with sustainable environmental goals. The gathering revealed key insights from leading experts about the current landscape and future directions of environmental sustainability.

Bridging the Gap: Academia and Industry

One of the most important conversations during Eco-Convergence 2025 came from Prof. Rangika Halwathura from the University of Moratuwa, who addressed the gap between academia and the industry in Sri Lanka. Prof. Halwathura stressed the need for greater collaboration between academic institutions and industries. “There is a huge gap between academia and the industry in Sri Lanka,” he pointed out, emphasizing the importance of real-world applications for academic research and collaboration to drive innovation.

Prof. Halwathura’s comments align with the goals of IPESL, which is working towards fostering stronger ties between universities and industries to fuel both economic and environmental progress. For more on this, explore IPESL’s initiatives here.

Commercializing Research: Industry’s Role

Ms. Vindya Jayawickrama Wijesinghe, from the National Innovation Agency (NIA), shed light on an issue that affects the commercialization of research in Sri Lanka. According to Ms. Wijesinghe, university students often start research projects without the intention of bringing them into the commercial space due to the lack of industry recognition for their academic work. She emphasized the importance of industry partnerships and suggested that research projects should be aligned with commercial goals from the outset. In her speech, she cleared those students should enter into agreements with industries for commercialization. Further her highlighted the need of a National Guidelines for Commercialization as a valuable resource. To learn more about the policy on product commercialization, Read here and here 

A Sustainable Future: Biochar and Waste Management Innovations

The event also highlighted several innovative projects aimed at driving sustainability. 

Mr. Rukantha Rajapaksa from Lalan Rubber PLC presented the company’s cutting-edge Biochar project, partnering with Planboo to create their own biochar fertiliser and generate carbon credit revenues, which is revolutionizing waste management in Sri Lanka. By transforming rubber industry waste into valuable biochar, Planboo not only reduces waste but also helps in soil restoration, making it a win-win for the environment and the agricultural sector. Learn more about Lalan’s sustainable initiatives here and environment policy here.

Meanwhile, Mr. Buddika Batheegama from INSEE Ecocycle Lanka (Private) Limited discussed the importance of co-processing waste, which involves using waste as a resource in industrial processes. He highlighted how INSEE Ecocycle has contributed to enhancing the waste hierarchy, focusing on reducing, reusing, and recycling in industries across Sri Lanka. His talk brought attention to the shift in how we view waste – not as a byproduct but as a resource for future energy solutions. Discover more about their sustainability efforts here.

Sustainable Fuel Supply and Eco-Friendly Practices

Sustainability wasn’t just limited to waste management; it also extended to energy solutions. Mr. Ramesh Nanayakkara from Ansell Lanka shared insights on their sustainable fuel supply practices, focusing on thermal energy requirements and their impressive achievement of receiving the 100% certified woodchip award in March 2024. He explained how the company is working towards eco-friendly energy solutions, such as eliminating invasive species like Prosopis juliflora (Kalapu Andara) and replacing them with indigenous species that better support local ecosystems. Read here. These efforts are in line with Ansell Lanka’s long-term sustainability goals, helping to protect local biodiversity while contributing to a cleaner environment. For more about their future sustainability direction, read here 

IPESL’s Role and Future Directions

Throughout Eco-Convergence 2025, IPESL emphasized its role in shaping the future of sustainable industry practices in Sri Lanka. The organization is working on aligning environmental sustainability goals with industry needs, helping to create a framework where innovative solutions are encouraged and supported. The discussion revolved around creating collaborative platforms where academic institutions and industries can partner to deliver real-world, scalable solutions that address Sri Lanka’s most pressing environmental and economic challenges. Read here

IPESL’s future directions involve creating more spaces for dialogue and collaboration between researchers, businesses, and policy makers, ensuring that sustainability remains at the heart of industrial practices. Their goal is to push for greener practices in every sector, from manufacturing to agriculture, ensuring that Sri Lanka progresses toward a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.

For updates on IPESL’s work and IPESL rules visit their official site.

Key Takeaways from AGM Meeting

The AGM meeting at Eco-Convergence 2025 also featured interactive discussions where stakeholders shared valuable insights into the current environmental issues and the role of industries in sustainable practices. Participants emphasized innovation, collaboration, and policy integration as key drivers for Sri Lanka’s green economy. This meeting acted as a catalyst for future partnerships and collaborations that will shape the eco-friendly future of Sri Lanka.

Conclusion:

Eco-Convergence 2025 was a pivotal event for Sri Lanka’s sustainability landscape, shedding light on the gap between academic research and industry implementation, while simultaneously promoting collaboration to drive innovation. By focusing on sustainable waste management, eco-friendly energy practices, and commercializing research, Sri Lanka is positioning itself as a leader in sustainability in South Asia. 

References: 

https://uom.lk/sites/default/files/ipac/files/Commercialization%20Policy.pdf

https://nirdc.gov.lk

https://www.lalanrubber.com

https://www.lalanrubbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/a58e5d26-policies-lalan-rubbers-pvt-ltd-2021.pdf

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a795abde5274a2acd18c223/pb13530-waste-hierarchy-guidance.pdf

https://www.siamcitycement.com/front/template/default/assets_minisite/download/lk_inseeecocycle/INSEE%20Ecocycle%20Solutions.pdf

Biofuel from ‘Kalapu Andara’ – Powering Sri Lanka and protecting its ecosystems

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.ansell.com/-/media/projects/ansell/website/pdf/sustainability/ansells-sustainability-highlights-2024.ashx%3Frev%3Deefe2e1c83e241cdb2015c00a2d44685&ved=2ahUKEwiEwfOenLGMAxWAxzgGHbFYAqwQFnoECBQQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2HK4KNQW6IOLxB8jsdrLjZ

Banner Image: IPESL https://www.iepsl.lk/ecoconvergence2025/