On 19th May, the START Final Workshop “The START Solution: Thermoelectric Tetrahedrites from Secondary Raw Materials for Sustainable Energy Production from Waste Heat” brought together 32 participants, including 24 on site in Brussels and 8 joining remotely, for a hybrid event that showcased the project’s achievements and latest results. It featured a dedicated exhibition area with START material samples, including prototype thermoelectric devices, alongside the final project roller banner highlighting key outcomes.

The workshop ran smoothly, with strong engagement from both in-person and remote participants. Presentations from project partners covered the full value chain, from materials development to system integration, and are now available on the START YouTube channel.

A key highlight was the final round table, “An Industrial Thermoelectric European Association?”, which gathered experts from industry, academia and research organisations to discuss the future of thermoelectrics in Europe. The discussion emphasised:

• The growing relevance of thermoelectrics, particularly for thermal management applications
• Persistent challenges in cost, manufacturability and large-scale deployment
• The importance of system-level integration and market-driven approaches
• The need for stronger collaboration across the value chain
• The opportunity to establish a coordinated European ecosystem, potentially through an industrial association in synergy with existing entities

Overall, the workshop successfully disseminated START results and provided valuable insights to guide future exploitation and legacy activities. Recorded sessions have been edited and published in a dedicated playlist, ensuring continued access to the workshop content for the wider community.