ACTPAC brings together 11 partners from 8 EU and associated countries (Denmark, Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, Türkiye, Austria) with expertise in enzymatic and chemical methods, polymer science, catalysis science, chemical and process engineering, metabolic and protein engineering, prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression systems as well as communication, dissemination, and exploitation.
Aarhus University (AU) – Coordinator
Aarhus University (AU) is a premier research University (World Top 100 according to Shanghai Ranking). The Faculty of Technical Science, AU has established leading research programs in biomass refinery, industrial biotechnology, enzyme technology, bioprocess engineering and microbial processes. AU has state-of-the-art molecular biology and biochemistry labs, bioreactors and readily-available analytical tools, such as GC-MS, LC-MS. AU is equipped with an HTL (Hydrothermal Liquefaction) Pilot plant, and MPV-Pilot plant; and advanced tools such as 1 G Hz NMR, microscopy imaging, and pilot-scale reactors are accessible through common facilities within AU.
Utrecht University (UU)
Utrecht University (UU) is one of the Netherlands’ largest broad universities, covering both natural sciences, as well as social sciences and humanities. Its Inorganic Chem. & Catalysis group performs fundamental research on heterogeneous catalysts and related nanomaterials to establish structure/function relationship on multiple length scales, from atomic level (nm) to individual catalyst particles (μm) and reactor (m) level. The group develops in-situ spectro-microscopic and tomographic multi-technique approaches to study porous materials with sub-nanometer to micrometer resolution ex-situ, but also work under realistic conditions (operando mode).
University of Münster (UM)
The University of Münster (UM) is one of the largest universities in Germany with a long tradition. Around 45,700 students and 5,300 academics value the excellent research, high-quality teaching, and committed promotion of young academics and the advantages of Münster as a liveable city. The institute of molecular microbiology and biotechnology has a long-time experience in biotechnology, synthetic biology, and the production of biobased polymers and biopolymers. The institute is very well equipped with a pilot plant (bioreactors of 1 – 500 L) for bioprocess engineering and optimization.
National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS)
The National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) is among the world’s leading research institutions. Green and biomimetic synthetic approaches together with the understanding of polymer structure/properties relationships are presenting the core of the scientific expertise of the Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymeres Organiques (LCPO) of CNRS. LCPO has the state of the art of all specific equipment dealing with polymer chemistry, including NMR, chromatography, spectroscopy, imaging and mechanical properties.
University of Groningen (UG)
The University of Groningen (UG) is a research university with a global outlook, deeply rooted in Groningen, City of Talent. Quality has had top priority for four hundred years, and with success. UG is currently in the top 100 on several influential rankings. UG collaborates with renowned institutions, and its advanced materials research builds on a long-standing collaboration. The faculty theme ‘Advanced Materials’ unites 5 disciplines with 60 researchers and fully-equipped labs, offering long-term integrated approaches. The labs of the Macromolecular Chemistry and New Polymeric Materials group are fully equipped for polymer synthesis, characterization and processing. Further equipment is available at the institute, the faculty and UG at large.
Plastics Technology Centre (AIMPLAS)
The Plastics Technology Centre (AIMPLAS), located in Valencia, is a private, non-profit Association created in 1990. AIMPLAS is formed by +240 highly skilled professionals. AIMPLAS has over 30 years of expertise in the fields of recycling (mechanical, chemical, enzymatic), blends compatibilization, reactive extrusion, synthesis of biopolymers and renewable source materials, special assisted processing technologies, gaseous capture/use, catalyzers, plastronics, materials for 3D printing, high performance coatings, nanocomposites, plastic products design and processing. AIMPLAS has participated in 125 EU projects in FP5, FP6, FP7, LIFE+, CIP-EcoInnovation, H2020, HEU, etc., coordinating over 40 of them. AIMPLAS has +11,000 m2 state-of-the-art facilities, including thermoplastics/ thermoset pilot plants, analysis/testing labs and training areas.
Biolynx
Biolynx is an SME with expertise in the optimization of microbial processes. The main focus lies on fungal processes where all the benefits they possess are being explored. Biolynx has experience in the development of meat replacers from labscale to commercial factory scale. Side streams from the (agro) food industry are upgraded to microbial food and feed products. These side streams are also converted to (bio)chemical compounds for less dependence on oil-based products. Biolynx has a well-equipped lab with more than 20 fermentors and all the analytical equipment needed to monitor the optimization process.
Innovaplast Biotechnology Inc. (Innovaplast)
Innovaplast, officially established in 2020, is a biotechnology company that produces poly-ß-hydroxybutyrate (PHB). Innovaplast produces 100% biodegradable microorganism-based bioplastic (PHB) raw material from natural and renewable sources with excellence of microbiological processes. Carries out R&D and production activities to replace petroleum-sourced plastics with alternative, environmentally friendly and new-generation bioplastics in all production areas with the slogan and vision of “Bioplastic for a Livable World…”
MINDS & SPARKS GmbH (M&S)
MINDS & SPARKS (M&S) is an independent, non-profit research organisation based in Vienna, Austria fostering science, innovation and technology to address major challenges and develop new methods and solutions for a better society. M&S creates strong connections between science and society using interdisciplinary approaches, promoting best practices and raising awareness on research and innovation achievements. Furthermore, the organisation focuses on improving the sustainability of research and innovation outcomes especially of public funded projects to ensure that spent resources lead to permanent positive impacts for the society as a whole.
B4Plastics (B4PLASTICS)
B4Plastics is a Biopolymer Architecture company, catalysing the introduction of novel biomaterials, and growing them from niche to bulk applications. As an architect creates your dream house, we create your dream plastic. We have an R&D Service centre for the fastest and most accurate screening and scaling of new biomaterials from gram to ton scale.
Beyond that, our Biopolymer Production & Sales Center supplies biomaterials up to 1 Kton. Furthermore, our Tech Platforms are organised in a Licencing House for Tech Transfers to your own equipment.
Footwear Technology Center of La Rioja (CTCR)
The Footwear Technology Center of La Rioja (CTCR) is one of the most important research centers specializing in footwear and related industries in Spain. CTCR carries out different R&D&I technological projects in the field of Digital Transformation, Smart Manufacturing and Sustainability & Advanced Materials. Within the latter, the CTCR has experience in projects of enzymatical, chemical and mechanical upcycling of footwear components (PU, polyester, textile, tanned skin…), and components of other industries like PE and PEG. These compounds are recovered and transformed to be reused in the same value chains or in others, in a Circular Economy approach.