Nutrients produced by microorganisms utilising primarily CO2 from the air, with the support of biotechnology

Expected Outcome:

In line with Food 2030 R&I initiative^[1] and the Commission communication on: Building the future with nature: Boosting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in the EU^[2], the successful proposal will address the application of the precision fermentation through genetically engineered microorganisms and will contribute to safer food systems. It will also promote innovation through the creation of new start-ups companies in the field of food production via biotechnology. The outcomes will foster EU strategic autonomy and leadership in delivering innovative nutrient production processes through business models for food applications in industrial plants and SMEs.

Project results are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes:

• the costs and resource-efficiency of bioreactors and upstream and downstream processing is delivered by industry or by other industry related actors (e.g., association, consultants, or engineering experts);
• the environmental and climate impacts resulting from the reduction of CO₂ in the air are better understood;
• food producing companies support the set-up of new or existing living laboratory facilities and pre-commercialisation infrastructure or shared infrastructure solutions to test the implementation of biotechnologies;
• innovative technologies are identified for the use of microorganisms that have been genetically engineered transforming CO₂ into nutrients for food purposes and scaled up by SMEs and innovative start-ups;
• existing pilot plants in Europe are improved to scale up the production by identifying and removing barriers that slow down the scaling up of the production of nutrients for food and food ingredients.

Scope:

Innovations using microorganisms have the potential to deliver benefits in several fields, such as agriculture, food and feed, industries, environment, marine/aquatic and biodiversity. The use of microorganisms genetically engineered for precision fermentation is an innovative approach that could significantly contribute to safer food systems^[3]. This biotechnology leverages the capabilities of microorganisms to produce nutrients including enzymes, fats, and other valuable compounds with high efficiency and specificity. Therefore, it represents a key area for investments and research, promising to revolutionise the food system and to contribute to a healthier planet.

The proposals should address all the following activities:

• analyse and provide the costs and investments needed for the use of the biotechnology for scaling up production of nutrients through the use of genetically engineered microorganisms that capture CO₂ from the air and/or from on-site plant emissions;
• establish an open space database or platform for companies to create their own business models for precision fermentation using genetically engineered microorganisms and perform a pre-commercialisation testing alongside business model strategies development as well as also in situ application;
• establish business models for industry and for in-situ application, considering also gases other than CO₂;
• evaluate the sustainability, efficiency, and resilience of European companies that use precision fermentation with genetically engineered microorganisms and their contribution to reducing the presence of CO₂ in the air. Climate-related aspects should also be considered as far as possible;
• provide a scale-up feasibility analysis for the developed biotechnologies which should take into consideration in the design process the feasibility for up-scaling, already from the early stages.

The proposals must implement the 'multi-actor approach' and ensure adequate involvement of existing private companies in Europe, specifically the participation of SMEs and start-ups.

The proposals should include a dedicated task in the workplan and appropriate resources to collaborate with the projects funded under this topic.

The proposals are expected to establish links with Regional Innovation Valleys for the bioeconomy and food systems (RIV4BFS)^[4] to encourage the deployment of technologies related to biotechnological processes across the EU regions.

If possible, cross-articulation with data spaces, and notably with the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) should be foreseen, exploiting synergies and complementarities of the different approaches. Proposals are also encouraged to consider, where relevant, the services offered by European research infrastructures such as IBISBA or other relevant research infrastructures^[5] as well as the services offered by the existing technology infrastructures.

To maximise the impacts of R&I, collaboration with international partners, in particular with those established in the United States, is encouraged.

[1] New Report: Food 2030 Research and Innovation – Pathways for action 2.0 - European Commission (europa.eu). See pathway 6 ‘The Microbiome World”.

[2] COM (2024)137 final.

[3] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11367-022-02087-0

[4] RIV4BFS is a thematic RIV’s use case. RIV4BFS can involve actors from across the quadruple helix, meaning promoting a model of cooperation between industry, academia, civil society, and public authorities, with a strong emphasis on citizens and their needs. The New European Innovation Agenda - European Commission (europa.eu).

[5] The catalogue of European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) research infrastructures portfolio can be browsed from ESFRI website https://ri-portfolio.esfri.eu/