H2020 biotech project aids chemical industry

A Spanish industrial life sciences firm has secured funding for a four-year biotechnology project under Horizon 2020.

1NKEMIA, based in Barcelona, is collaborating with 14 other partners from the public research and private sectors, including from the UK, the Netherlands, Germany and Spain. Players involve one large firm, six SMEs and seven public research centres.

The EU is providing just over €8.2m of funding to the €9.2m CARBAZYMES project, and aims to ‘develop biotech variety pathways’, or biocatalytic synthesis, for much needed chemicals, according to a statement from the group. The project also hopes to increase the efficiency and sustainability of the chemical industry, as well as help the sector to become more innovative.

The statement adds: ‘The classic industrial chemical processes often involve the use of hazardous and large amounts of energy substances so they can perform. In contrast, the enzymes catalyse the ‘manufacture and modification’ natural molecules with high selectivity under mild reaction conditions.

‘Therefore, application of industrial enzymes to catalyse reactions (‘biocatalysis’) has the potential to improve the chemical processes in accordance with the concept and principles of green chemistry. Furthermore, biocatalysis can comprehensively improve the economic, social and environmental aspects of industrial processes’.

The Spanish company expects to benefit from an operating income of €400,000 from the Horizon 2020 project. The venture is expected to start on 1 April 2015.