Tuesday, 15 January 2019

Rijeka's Autotrolej Removes Several City Lines as Number of Drivers Falls

Cuts are happening in almost every sector across Croatia and in many other countries. While sometimes these cuts occur in sectors that we are fortunate enough to be able to overlook for the most part, public transport isn't one of them. The public transport cuts made in Rijeka, which have occurred primarily owing to a drop in the number of drivers, has seen some citizens of the Rijeka area left completely without a direct connection to the city centre.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 15th of January, 2019, as has been announced by Rijeka's public transport company, Autotrolej is unfortunately being forced into planning to abolish a number of departure points on their public transport lines, while part of the lines will have to run on a shortened route.

The new scheme for departures for Rijeka's public transport company has been put down to the gradually diminishing number of drivers. Thankfully, the Rijeka company has made sure to soften the blow somewhat by pointing out that during their most frequented times during working days, the existing number of departures will remain as it is, meaning that Autotrolej's services are set to remain at the same level for the typical arrival and departure times of people going to work and kids going to school, according to a report by Novi list.

Milan Popadić, the chairman of the council of the Municipal Board of Kantrida has spoken out on the occasion of this rather unwelcome "correction" of Autotrolej's transport timetable. He pointed out that Autotrolej's ''correction'' of their timetable means that the unfortunate inhabitants of Marčeljeva Draga have now been left without any direct connection to Rijeka's city centre whatsoever, for the very first time.

Make sure to stay up to date with our dedicated news page for information on public transport all over the country, events as they happen across Croatia and much more.

Tuesday, 15 January 2019

China and Croatia Grow Closer as Chinese Focus on Rijeka and Coast

The relationship between China and Croatia is continuing to grow ever closer, and bringing the Chinese to the Croatian coast is potentially just an introductory step in their much wider engagement on the development of Rijeka's traffic connections, both operationally and financially.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 14th of January, 2019, Minister of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure, Oleg Butković, will travel to China later this month, where he will discuss, among other things, the opportunity for them to take the concession for a new Rijeka container terminal on the coast with Chinese shipowners and port operators, according a report from Novi list.

Butković will meet with the Chinese traffic minister, representatives of CRBC, who will build Pelješac Bridge, and will also meet with representatives of the naval giant COSCO, as well as several large Chinese shipping and port companies, the potential leasers of the container terminal on that part of the Croatian coast, for which the concession would have to be announced by the middle of this year.

As China and Croatia's bond grows deeper still, the Chinese companies will start with the concession on that particular part of the Croatian coast, the development of a logistics centre and a back terminal in the entrepreneurial Miklavlje zone will probably be offered.

If an interest in making such a move is shown, then the competent Croatian ministry and the Croatian Government will begin seriously contemplating their involvement in far larger infrastructure projects on Rijeka's traffic connections, primarily the construction of a railway line from Rijeka all the way to the Hungarian border, and when looking at much longer-term plans, the possible construction of a large container terminal on the island of Krk, along with a new road-rail bridge.

Make sure to stay up to date with everything you need to know on the growing relationship between China and Croatia and much, much more by following our dedicated business page.

Friday, 11 January 2019

Kvarner to Gain Most Luxurious Boutique Hotel in Croatia

Something not only new, but incredibly flashy is on the cards for the Kvarner area...

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 10th of January, 2019, the town of Ika, located close to the popular Opatija, is the site of the upcoming and reportedly the most luxurious Croatian boutique five-star hotel to date, set to be opened in April by the company owned by well known Croatian entrepreneur Pavo Zubak. The total value of the project, according to its investors, stands at a massive 80 million kuna.

Kvarner's up and coming Ikador Luxury Boutique Hotel & Spa is being designed by the highly respected Artelior architecture stutio with offices in both Zagreb and London, and the very hotel itself will be housed within a 5,000-square-foot natural park. The underground tunnel below the Lungo Mare promenade will be connected to a private beach that even allows mooring for boats.

As a boutique hotel, Ikador will boast eight luxury rooms and six exclusive suites, all of which can accommodate 42 people. The minimum size of a room is fifty square metres with a terrace, while the suites provide eighty square metres, also with a terrace. The hotel will also boast the most luxurious presidential suite of up to 280 square metres, alongside 145 square metres of accompanying terrace.

Even before its actual opening, Ikador has already managed to become a member of the leading hotel association of luxury hotels, The Leading Hotels of the World, on which the hotel has certainly deserved its placement owing to the first exclusive Riva lounge in Croatia, which will be part of the hotel, has featured Kvarner's new gem. The Riva lounge is not only the first of its sort in Croatia, but is the fourth in the entire world, following those in Monte Carlo, Venice, and Mykonos, putting Opatija in a prestigious group of some of the most prestigious and most exclusive international destinations.

The aim of the investor is to create a year-round tourist destination, and in line with that desire, Ikador will offer a wide range of spa, wellness and fitness facilities which will occupy the entire third floor of the hotel, providing an impressive view of the stunning Opatija Riviera. In addition, a top a la carte restaurant with a capacity for as many as fifty guests, a cigar bar, a heated outdoor pool with sea water and an underground garage with electric car chargers will be available for guests of what will more than likely be the Kvarner area's ''place to be''.

Forty staff members will be in charge of the excellent service, most of whom will be employed permanently, as the hotel plans to remain open throughout the year.

Make sure to follow our dedicated lifestyle page for much more.

Sunday, 6 January 2019

Kvarner the Injured Griffon Vulture Found and Treated in Germany

As Morski writes on the 5th of January, 2019, back in October, German rescue workers in Kaditz near Dresden came across an unwell nine-month-old griffon vulture from Kvarner in Radebeul vineyard.

The injured and sickly bird was simply lying exhausted on the ground. Although his wingspan stood at a massive 2.8 feet wide, the unwell bird was exhausted and his weight was a mere kilograms. On his leg he wore a ring labelled "Kvarner", from which his German saviours determined that his country of birth was Croatia, according to a report by Fenix ​​Magazine.

The rescuers collected the unlucky young bird and took him to receive immediate medical attention, in a location at which numerous other sick and wounded bird species are treated.

Over time, the young and rather unfortunate griffon vulture from Kvarner slowly recovered, and his German rescuers named him ''Kvarner'', owing to the ring on his leg. With the proper care and time to heal, Kvarner got better day by day, accumulating extra strength for his return to his native Croatia.

''Now he weighs twice as much than when we first found him. At first he was only eating crumbs, and thanks to the hunters who supported us, he eventually took to eating meat from wild game, and wild boar meat. Now he's even become a little gourmand because instead of eating entrails, he now loves to eat hearts and livers from game animals,'' stated Saskia Keller of the German facility currently treating young Kvarner, who is growing stronger with each passing day.

This young bird of prey from Cres, which is the closest relative of the eagle, will remain in Kaditz until March. He will then be released back to his native Croatia, more specifically in Kvarner bay.

Since a few colonies of such birds can be found on the island of Pag and in the Velebit mountain range, it is estimated that in the Republic of Croatia there are between 110 and 140 pairs of these predatory birds in total.

Make sure to stay up to date with our dedicated lifestyle page for more.

Thursday, 3 January 2019

Croatian Wine Regions: Istria & Kvarner

January 3, 2019 — In the first article of the Croatian Wine Regions series, TCN unveils Istria and Kvarner, Croatia's westernmost region.

Istria is one of the oldest winegrowing regions in Europe, as the first vines were introduced to the region by the Greeks as early as the 6th century BCE. Today, with just a little over 6,000 hectares under vineyards, Istria carries the moniker "Croatian Tuscany" and is home to a diverse range of high-quality wines.

Wine production in Istria took a full turn in the early 1990s when new generations of winemakers started reinvigorating their family vineyards. Liberated from the socialist-era command economy in which winegrowers were basically coerced to sell their grapes to the state-controlled cooperatives, these new generations of independent winemakers could now focus on quality rather than quantity.

Blessed with the region's exceptional terroir, Istrian producers are nowadays equally championing indigenous as well as international varieties.

In terms of climate, Istria gets the best of both the Mediterranean and mild continental climate. Think palm trees covered in snow — that's Istrian peninsula in a nutshell. While summer heat is tempered by sea breezes from the Adriatic, another key factor is the closeness of the Dinaric Alps, and let's not forget to mention the heterogeneity of Istrian soil.

The terracotta-colored crljenica (red clay soil) is found in coastal areas; it is rich in iron and mainly reserved for growing red varieties, though it can also produce full-bodied and well-structured whites. The central part of the peninsula is known as the "grey Istria" because of its flysch soil (sedimentary rock with grey clay rich in limestone) which is most suitable for white varieties. And last but not least, the rolling hills of inland Istria are characterized by even more limestone, and vineyards in these areas produce aromatic, elegant wines with higher levels of acidity.

Istria Kvarner

Malvazija Istarska represents 70% of the entire production; it is the most widespread white grape variety in the region, followed by Chardonnay. Other whites include Muškat, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and Sauvignon Blanc. As for the reds, if Malvazija is the queen of whites, then Teran is the absolute king of Istrian red wines, although Merlot is actually the most widespread variety. Some critics have even said that Istria could quite possibly be the world's second-best Merlot terroir after Bordeaux, its homeland. Other notable mentions include Refošk, Borgonja and Cabernet Sauvignon, but also Cabernet Franc, Hrvatica, Barbera, and Pinot Noir.

The neighboring Kvarner region, and in particular the island of Krk, are most notable for being home to Vrbnička Žlahtina. The name of this popular white grape variety comes from the fertile plains northwest from the town of Vrbnik, and the old Slavic word zlahten, which means "noble." Žlahtina is indigenous to Krk, and it is by far the island's most planted variety that produces light, fruity wines which are best consumed young.

Stay tuned for more on Croatian wine regions by following TCN's dedicated gourmet page.

Thursday, 13 December 2018

Inside Rijeka: Top 20 Places to Discover This Wintertime

December 13, 2018 — Though the season hasn't even officially started yet, here in Rijeka the forthcoming winter has already shown its hand and oh baby, it's cold outside!

Despite the unseasonably warm weather we experienced in November, the days are now noticeably shorter and colder, reminding us it's time to embrace the magic of winter and make the best of it.

One way to do so is to give yourself a nice warming boost every now and then by casually indulging in hot drinks, typical wintertime foods, and decadent desserts. Just wrap up in something warm and come out for brunch or evening cocktails; or you can set aside a couple of hours just for coffee — an absolute favorite waste of time among Croatians.

Apart from its ongoing traditional Advent festivities, Rijeka is full of cozy little cafés, slick bars, and charming eateries so take a look at our pick of some of the best places to hang out at during the chilly days and nights in the "city that flows."


BarBar 3

Bar Bar
This popular tapas bar is located in the heart of the historic old town and boasts a cute little terrace overlooking one of the city's archaeological sites. With elegantly assorted appetizer boards meant for sharing, Bar Bar is the perfect choice for meetups with friends, dates, or an after-work happy hour. And if you're feeling hungry, but you can't make it to Bar Bar, I recommend you stay away from their Instagram. On top of delicious foods and a wide selection of drinks, this stylish bar offers occasional live music and dance parties.


Bard
Bard
Most known for friendly staff, good selection of beers, and great atmosphere, the Celtic-themed Bard pub is usually packed on weekend nights so make sure you get there early. When the place is full, people regularly enjoy their drinks sitting on the sidewalk in front of the St Vitus Cathedral that's just across the pub. Since it's wintertime, a far better solution is to simply share a table with some random strangers and make new friends because in Bard, that's always an option.

 

Boa
Boa Privé
This fancy cafe and wine bar opened about a year ago and quickly became popular among the locals. Boa Privé's friendly staff along with outstanding service and an overall chill atmosphere will make you return again and again. Their wines are fairly priced, and the list is impressive, while an amazing ambiance makes it a great place to spend some quality time in the evening.

 

DB
Book Caffe Dnevni Boravak
The name of this cute little book cafe translates to "living room" and that perfectly sums up both the atmosphere and the level of coziness you'll find there. Dnevni boravak boravak is one of those places where you immediately feel at home. During the day you can enjoy some peace and quiet while having coffee, while the evenings are reserved for book promotions, public readings, workshops, and other events, with occasional live music, cocktail parties, etc. On top of that, for non-smokers, there is a separate room which doubles as a gallery.

 

LaGrotta
Bordel La Grotta
When the current owners started renovating this place, they found a peculiar price list dated from 1944. Back then, while Rijeka was under Italian occupation, La Grotta was one of the city's most elite brothels. The whole story, including the said price list and other curiosities of the house, inspired La Grotta's interior design, and the owners also decided to keep the name, but the offer is slightly different. Today, the locals flock to La Grotta for some delicious heartwarming comfort food and a great selection of beers. Oh, and the prices are ridiculously low — they might have rewritten the 1944 brothel's menu items, but kept the fees? We can't tell for sure.

 

Cukar
Cukarikafe Bar
This adorable place decorated in a shabby chic vintage style with refurbished grandma-style furniture, flea market finds, and numerous trinkets donated by a number of regular guests has been one of Rijeka's favorite cafés ever since it opened. What makes Cukarikafe stand out is its special energy but also a variety of events that his cafe is hosting — here you will find anything from local artists exhibitions, handmade crafts and design fairs, cocktail parties, various thematic evenings, etc. Cukarikafe also boasts an impressive selection of coffee, spirits, wine, and craft beer, in addition to some really great foods like artisan charcuterie, breakfasts, daily specials, quiches, cakes, and pastries.

 

Filodrammatica
Filodrammatica
The beautiful Filodrammatica building was designed by architect Giacomo Zammatti and constructed in 1890 to be used by the Italian Philharmonic Drama Association — hence the name — and in 1992, the house was declared a protected cultural heritage site. Today, Filodrammatica is one of Rijeka's favorite coffee houses but also doubles as an art gallery, and it is conveniently adjacent to the Rijeka City Library's central department. The place offers some of the best coffee in town but also a decent selection of cocktails, fresh juices, snacks, and desserts.

 

Kancelarija
Kancelarija Bar
"The only 'kancelarija' (lit. chancellery; office) where having fun and relaxing over a cup of coffee is mandatory," their motto says. This stylish little bar located within the Galerija Rijecka business and housing complex opened just this summer and instantly became a favorite spot among the locals. Though the place will occasionally host night-long parties, with its regular closing time at 9 PM, Kancelarija caters mostly to working people who flock there on a daily basis whether to enjoy that first morning coffee, or after-work cocktails and delicious liquor spiked desserts.
 

grad

Kavana Grad
This fashionably decorated cafeteria/bar invites people to "eat, drink & mingle," as their motto says. They offer an amazing selection of coffee, tea, wine, craft beer, mixed drinks, various appetizers, finger foods, etc. Plus you will really want to leave some room for dessert as Grad offers a daily selection of KaoKakao pastries. They always aim for top quality food and beverages, and so their menu is continuously changing depending on the availability of seasonal produce. On top of that, on weekend nights, this is one of the places where you can enjoy live music or occasional DJ parties.
 

kings

King's Caffe & Pub
You will find King's at two separate locations in downtown Rijeka, and you really can't go wrong by visiting either one. Depending on whether you're hungry or in the mood for drinks only, you can choose between King's Food Pub and King's Caffe. Both places boast an extensive beer list, while the food pub offers some of the best burgers in town, but also various grilled meat dishes, sandwiches, finger food, and desserts.

 

zajc

Kod Zajca
Here at Zajc, one of Rijeka's favorite cafe and wine bars, not only will you find an extensive wine list and friendly staff who will gladly help you choose from it, but there's also a great selection of craft beers and mixed drinks, plus a variety of delicious tapas dishes, to accompany whatever you're having. Zajc also offers regular wine presentations and tastings in a really nice, relaxed atmosphere, and in addition, there is occasional live music which is always a plus.
 

bodega

La Bodega
While a glass of wine on its own is always nice, when paired with an assorted charcuterie and cheese board with pickles, the experience can be exquisite. La Bodega offers exactly that and much more. Domestic and imported wines are available by the glass or bottle, but there's also an impressive list of cocktails and spirits to choose from, and the presentation of each dish is assembled with attention to detail.

LaGuardia

La Guardia
You will find this charming little café located on the eponymous street in a somewhat off-beat spot, but it's definitely worth a visit. During the day, La Guardia is the perfect choice if you want to relax over a cup of coffee in a cozy, laid-back atmosphere, whereas at night the place often offers live music and transforms into a cool bar with a divey vibe that beats overpriced nightclubs any day of the week. This quaint café where the locals gather to drink and socialize is decorated with all kinds of memorabilia which adds to its quirky character, and what people probably love the most about this place are the owner's daily thoughts, quotes, and scribbles written on a chalkboard hanging outside. And the best part is you can take home some of that La Guardia vibe: those messages du jour are made into souvenir magnets which are handed out at the cafe in exchange for a symbolic donation, and the entire profit goes for a good cause.
 

Premier

Premier Bar
Remember the American 1980s sitcom Cheers? Of course you do. Now I don't mean to indulge in nostalgia, but if Rijeka had its version of Cheers — Premier would be it. And it's not just the decor, it's much more than that: it's the people, the story, the vibe. Premier is the city's first privately owned café and has been operating for over 40 years. Since it closes at 10 PM, it probably won't be your best choice for a night out on the town, but it's more than suitable for the precedent warmup, or even daytime drinking, because why not? Also, "sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came."

 

rakhiabar

Rakhia Bar
The name says it all — Rakhia bar is the house of the "fire water that fuels the Balkans." So if you are out and about Rijeka looking for something to warm you up, this is one of the places you simply shouldn't miss visiting. Apart from an extensive selection of rakija and other spirits and liqueurs, the bar that started trending the hashtag #DajJošJednu (lit. GimmeAnotherOne) offers various music themed parties and tastings, including the so-called "rakhiada," a blind rakija tasting contest; and also occasional speed drinking contests for the bravest.

 

samovar

Samovar Bar
Fancy a cup o' tea? Look no further. Here at Samovar bar, you will find a carefully curated selection of more than 250 of world's finest teas and tisanes but also a number of interesting domestic blends like the Croatian Velebit mountain tea, the Kornati islands tea, the Sunny meadow wild herbal tea, etc. In addition, this dainty little tea shop offers great coffee -- seriously, it's hard to imagine how we could ever live without it -- and let's not forget wintertime classics like mulled wine and hot chocolate. Should I go on? Didn't think so.

 

pet jedan

Tapas Bar Pet Jedan
Rijeka's favorite tapas bar, Pet Jedan is one of those places where you can indulge all your senses at once: eat, drink, and enjoy live background music in a cozy, intimate atmosphere. Whether you're craving breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner — Pet Jedan has you covered. Apart from their versatile daily menus, every Tuesday, you can enjoy the Chefs' evening, a gourmet multi-course dinner accompanied by professionally selected wines, beers, and other complementary drinks. Pet Jedan is usually packed, but they do take reservations so don't shy away.

 

teatro

Teatro Lounge Bar
Hear ye, hear ye, Teatro is all the rage, life is a theatre and all the world's a stage! Did I just quote Shakespeare? Yes, kind of. But the sophisticated Teatro bar does have a certain theatrical vibe to it. This cozy place operates somewhere between a daytime coffee shop and an evening lounge bar, and it occasionally hosts various arts and entertainment events, but also DJ and after-work parties. Drinks selection? Just as versatile.

 

monkeys

Three Monkeys
Caffe by day, cocktail bar by night — and a really good one at that. The Three Monkeys opened recently, in the very heart of downtown Rijeka. They are very serious about becoming the best cocktail bar in town, and they definitely got off to a good start. In addition to an impressive cocktail list and friendly, well-educated staff, this dimly-lit bar is tastefully decorated and has a really cozy feel to it, so once you stop by, you'll be definitely coming back for more.

 

tunel

Tunel

Another must-visit place in downtown Rijeka. As you may have already guessed by its name, Tunel was once an actual railway tunnel. And according to their motto, "the light at the end of the tunnel is actually — music," though you will find much more in this unique cafe that doubles as a nightclub. During the day, stop by for some coffee, but comes nighttime, Tunel is your go-to place for great DJ parties, concerts, and various other performances, while a pretty decent selection of drinks is always a plus.

For more related topics, keep up with our lifestyle page.

Monday, 10 December 2018

Traditional Croatian Recipes: Frankopan Torta

December 10, 2018 — The Frankopan torta is an iconic Croatian dessert, particularly emblematic of the city of Crikvenica where it enjoys a cult status and serves as a reminder of a historical era when the Crikvenica-Vinodol region was ruled by the counts of the Frankopan family.

This lavish dessert originated in the Baroque era, and the first written mention of the Frankopan cake appeared in a 1686 cookbook written by Dutchess Eleonora Maria Rosalia von Eggenberg. The recipe was kept a secret up until 1993 when it was reconstructed at the Institute for Ethnology and Folklore Research in Zagreb.

Here is the recipe variation from Kuharica našeh non, a cookbook published by the Crikvenica Tourist Board.

Ingredients
500g puff pastry, pre-made
400ml whipping cream
6 egg yolks
150g sugar
2 tbsp cornstarch
200g roasted almonds, chopped
100g raisins, rum-soaked
3 drops rose water
120g butter, softened
pinch of powdered cinnamon
pinch of grated nutmeg
1 whole lemon zest

For decorating
400ml whipping cream
500g peach compote

1) Preheat the oven to 180°C/356F. Roll out the puff pastry dough and cut into 4 equal squares. Bake until golden brown.

2) To make the cream, heat up the whipping cream and then stir in egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch. Continue mixing over a bain-marie until the mixture thickens. Leave to chill.

3) When the cream is chilled, fold in the butter, almonds, and raisins. Add cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon zest. Mix well.

4) To assemble the cake, spread equal parts of cream on top of each puff pastry layer, and gently stack them on top of each other. Put in the fridge and leave to set. Use the remaining whipped cream to cover the entire cake, and decorate it with sliced peaches.

For more delicious recipes, make sure you follow TCN's dedicated gourmet page.

Monday, 10 December 2018

Rijeka Advent: December at Zajc Theater

December 10, 2018 — Stop by at the Zajc Theater to discover the best Christmas-themed shows Rijeka has to offer over the festive season.

Rijeka's Christmas markets and traditional Advent festivities in and around the city are once again complemented by the Zajc Theater's rich December program. From festive Christmas-themed shows, concerts, children's workshops, and storytelling dens, to spectacular theatre productions, there's plenty to see and enjoy this winter at Zajc.

This Thursday, December 13th at 6.30 PM, on a small open-air stage in front of the theater, singer Katja Budimčić will be caroling accompanied by guitarist Zvonimir Radišić.

If your youngsters love storytelling, don't miss the evenings of children's favorite Christmas fairy tales, recounted by the Zajc theater ensemble members Tatjana Smoje, Dean Krivačić, and Jasmin Mekić on Wednesday 12th, Monday 17th, Thursday 20th, and Friday 21st, also at 6.30 PM.

Christmas puppetry workshops will be taking place on Monday 10th, Friday 14th, and Wednesday 19th, from 6.00 to 7.00 PM, and will be hosted by Giulio Settimo, the director of the Italian drama, and members of the Rijeka Youth Theater Kamov.

The Creative Pepco Corner — Christmas decorations workshop — will be hosted by actresses Aleksandra Stojaković Olenjuk and Jelena Lopatić, and are to take place on Saturday 8th, from 10.00 AM to 12.30 PM, and on Tuesday 11th and Tuesday 18th, from 6.00 to 7.00 PM.

If you are still looking for original Christmas gifts, don't miss the Zajc Theater flea market! Expect an extravaganza of theater memorabilia, used props, decorative items, and much more. While you are rooting through tables, your children can take photos with Santa Claus. The market will take place on Saturday 15th and 22nd, from 10.00 AM to 1.00 PM.

And last but not least, don't miss ballet shows Serenade & Allegro and 4 Boleros; the Christmas cabaret; the Kaplan choir concert, and the traditional New Year's concerts for both children and adults.

You can check the entire Zajc's December program here, and for more related news, make sure you're following TCN's lifestyle page.

Wednesday, 5 December 2018

Rijeka Company Succeeds with EU Funds and Bioplastic Development Projects

One Rijeka company has so far raised an impressive six million euro thanks to European Union funds and currently has eight European partners working alongside them on the new ''Effective'' project.

As Darko Bicak/Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 4th of December, 2018, the Rijeka company in question is Mi-Plast, it has played an active role in various EU research projects for the last several years, and has successfully withdrawn a total of six million euro from the Horizon 2020 program, as well as from numerous other research platforms.

The company deals with platic, and these roles have been mainly in regard to bioplastic development projects which are being conducted with large players from Europe, for which the EU has provided an enormous 80 million euro, while the Rijeka company accounts for about 7 percent of the amount.

Despite success, the Rijeka company didn't intend to simply stop there, and Bio-Mi was then established, which specialises exclusively in biopolymers and bioplastics, since Mi-Plast has positioned itself on the market of standard plastics and is planning, at the end of the project, to bring yet more innovative products with more value to the market.

As was explained by Filip Miketa, the founder and director of Bio-Mi, they are currently working on the Effective project, which, in the coming years, could result in the first quantities of bioplastics and packaging coming from Rijeka.

"This project is one of the industry's most comprehensive initiatives, it aims at redesigning the entire product value chain and ultimately stimulating economic growth. The project consortium comprises eight countries and consists of renewable raw materials producers, leaders in raw material processing technologies, semi-finished and finished product manufacturers, AquafilSLO and Circular Change (Slovenia), Aquafil, Carvico, Life Cycle Engineering and Novamont (Italy), Südzucker and Vaude (Germany), Balsan (France), H & M Group, Bio-Mi and CIRCE (Spain),'' stated Miketa.

He added that one of the key goals is the effective development of sustainable bionylon, made entirely from biological components using renewable raw materials. The validation of the obtained nylon is planned alongside partners such as H&M, Carvico, Vaude and Balsan. The bionylon will also be used for textiles and carpets. The Rijeka company will also see that biopolyesters are developed for the packaging of various industrial products.

The recycling of this nylon will help achieve the goals of the circular economy as well as create an alternative in the industry. The project is being cofinanced by H2020 in the amount of 7.1 million euro.

Make sure to follow our dedicated business and Made in Croatia pages for more information on Croatian companies, products and services, as well as on doing business in Croatia.

 

Click here for the original article by Darko Bicak for Poslovni Dnevnik

Monday, 3 December 2018

RiRock Festival Celebrates 40th Birthday!

December 3, 2018 - Wondering where all that noise is coming from? Brace yourselves: RiRock festival is back and turning 40 this year!

Save the date: The 40th annual RiRock festival – Croatia's longest running festival, and one of the largest regional festivals of demo bands – is taking place over the course of four days, or more precisely, two consecutive weekends: December 7-8th and 14-15th, at the OKC Palach and Pogon Kulture, respectively.

The festival had its beginnings in March 1979. The first RiRock ever was founded and produced by Duško Rapotec Ute and it immediately laid foundations for Rijeka's music scene, giving birth to local punk and new-wave movement. Fast forward almost three decades, in 2006, the RiRock Association was officially registered and has been organizing the festival ever since.

Though RiRock's forte has always been supporting young, unsigned or independent musicians, the festival is also renowned for its unique atmosphere and for packing in the biggest regional headliners but also RiRock veterans.

The 2018 edition of RiRock features a somewhat reinvented performance and awards schedule so for the full program and lineup, stay up to date on the Facebook event.

The tickets can be purchased on-site but are also available in pre-sale. For more related news, make sure you follow the official RiRock page as well as TCN's dedicated entertainment page.

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