FLEXIZYME: Flexible and adaptable enzyme biotechnology platform for the sustainable industrial production of bio-based fatty amines from waste.
FLEXIZYME proposes to develop an innovative and interdisciplinary platform to obtain high quality fatty amines from fat and protein-rich by-products. This platform will design and use advanced enzymes through bioinformatics tools and artificial intelligence to optimise and integrate production processes, innovate reactor monitoring systems, and address scale-up challenges contributing to a greener and more sustainable commercial production of fatty amines.
Context
Fatty amines (FA) are versatile compounds with applications in various industries, which stand out for their combination of cationic and surfactant properties, making them essential ingredients in multiple formulations and processes. In cosmetics, AF are used as emulsifiers, conditioners and antimicrobial agents in creams, lotions, shampoos and hair conditioners, improving the stability, texture and softness of products. In the detergent sector, AFs are used as surfactants, antistatic agents and fabric softeners, optimising cleanliness, foam stability and softness of garments. In agriculture, AFs are crucial components in crop protection product formulations, as active fungicides, adjuvants or synergistic agents, ensuring pest control and plant health. Furthermore, AF are also used in fertiliser formulation, improving the efficiency and efficacy of these products and thus reducing their use.
However, the conventional method of AF production has several limitations and environmental concerns, which have led to the search for more sustainable alternatives. These challenges have prompted the exploration of alternative production methods that offer more circular, sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions.
In this context, industrial biotechnology is transforming the European industrial landscape, driving innovation and sustainability. This sector is expected to experience a Compound Annual Growth of 14% between 2023 and 2030, driven by synergies between global government initiatives and technological advances. However, the widespread adoption of biotech processes still faces challenges, including the difficulty of scaling up production, the optimisation of complex processes and the lack of a holistic approach that integrates all critical parameters. In this sense, the integration of industrial biotechnology in the production of fatty amines offers a solution to the current limitations, promoting more sustainable and efficient practices.
Summary and objectives
The main objective of the FLEXIZYME project is to contribute to the transition towards greener industrial biotechnological processes for obtaining a variety of cost-competitive bio-based products through the circular, sustainable and efficient valorisation of organic by-products. This objective will be achieved through the development of a biotechnology platform covering all stages of the process (upstream, midstream and downstream), incorporating cutting-edge technologies, biocatalyst engineering, reactor and process design, control and optimisation, all under an interdisciplinary and systemic approach to innovation.
Specific Objectives of the FLEXIZYME Project:
- To develop a flexible and adaptable biotechnological platform for the sustainable production of AF from by-products.
- To develop biotechnological processes with improved efficiency and scalability for AF synthesis.
- Improve cost-effectiveness and design enzymes to overcome limitations in industrial biotechnological processes.
- Develop an integrated process design and real-time monitoring system for enzymatic synthesis of AFs.
- Validate the biotechnological platform and its industrial implementation.
- Perform a Techno-Economic assessment and a Life Cycle Assessment to analyse the economic and environmental performance of the whole process.
- To foster interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge sharing and dissemination of project results to drive innovation and industrial implementation in the biotechnology sector.
Consortium
1. INSTITUTO TECNOLOGICO DEL EMBALAJE, TRANSPORTE
2. CLUSTER VIOOIKONOMIAS KAI PERIVALLONTOS DYTIKIS
3. PROCESS DESIGN CENTER
4. KEUKEN & DE KONING
5. GECCO BIOTECH
6. ENCO SRL
7. ETHNIKO KENTRO EREVNAS KAI TECHNOLOGIKIS ANAPTY
8. AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIO
9. BIO BASE EUROPE PILOT PLANT VZW
10. ETHNICON METSOVION POLYTECHNION
11. UNIVERSITA DI PISA
12. ROELMI HPC SRL
13. VOION LAND PRODUCTS S.A
14. RIJKSUNIVERSITEIT GRONINGEN
15. LÍPIDOS SANTIGA, S.A.
16. COMPAÑIA OLEICOLA DE REFINACION Y ENVASADO, S.A.
17. LAVANTIA NATURE SL
18. Specialty Operations France
19. Rhodia Laboratoire du Futur
ITENE’s role
The work plan of the FLEXIZYME project consists of 9 interconnected work packages, being ITENE the Project Coordinator.
ITENE brings its expertise in process development, enzyme design and biocatalytic process optimisation. We also have extensive experience in the scalability of biotechnological processes in pilot plants and in the application of our own knowledge in different sectors, and we also validate the technologies developed.
In addition to playing the role of project coordinator associated with WP9, ITENE will work together with the project partners in WP5 for the holistic development of improved biotechnological processes for the production of FA from sustainable feedstocks.
The specific objectives are:
- Identify suitable enzymes and understand their characteristics for possible engineering.
- Evolve these enzymes using in silico and in vitro approaches to select high-performance variants under certain process conditions.
- Improve enzyme efficiency by optimising enzyme production and formulation.
- Explore optimal enzyme variants for cofactor recycling and cascade reactions to improve process feasibility.
- Optimise process parameters and conditions and identify the optimal conditions and reactor with the best enzyme variants to maximise productivity in the target sectors.
