The INCITE project aims to demonstrate novel integrated upstream and downstream processing paths involving flow chemistry and membrane technology in chemo-enzymatic processes. The modularity and flexibility of the developed processes will be showcased through two demonstration cases in real industrial settings and will be using hydrolases for the sustainable, safe and energy-efficient production of commodity and fine chiral chemicals. The first demonstration case involves esterase-catalyzed production of a chiral molecule used as starting material for the production of insecticides in the field of crop protection and public health, whereas the second demonstration case relates to solvent-free synthesis of oleochemical esters using lipase enzymes. Compared to traditional chemical synthesis processes, these chemo-enzymatic processes have clear advantages of greater efficiency, higher product quality and smaller environmental footprint. Their development to TRL7 will open up the way to their industrialization and thus lead to major positive economic and environmental impacts.

The 2DPLOY project aims to provide support to EIIs by assisting them in developing compelling proposals for the Innovation Fund. SINTEF, VITO, ASPIRE and RINA-CSM, as research partners of 2DPLOY consortium, have already identified and shortlisted five promising H2020 projects from industrial partners (CEINNMAT, EVONIK, OLEON) and VITO. The 2DEPLOY methodology will be tested starting with these 5 pilot projects, which will help establish and undergo the project's innovation pipeline. This pipeline consists of several key steps, including: 1) screening H2020 projects through a prequalification matrix and a 1-hour interview with an expert; and 2) an evaluation commission that aims to select only the most mature projects. 3) The chosen projects will then be able to participate in advanced masterclasses that cover six different topics related to the IF's key requirements, such as degree of innovation, scalability, potential for avoided GHG emissions, and technical and financial maturity. 4) Finally, 2DPLOY will offer personalized guidance and feedback to support the preparation of three sound proposals to be submitted to the IF. The 2DPLOY methodology will be constantly improved through a two-way learning strategy that involves collaborations and synergies with key industrial and EU stakeholders, such as the Innovation Fund, the Directorate-General for Climate Action, Processes4Planet, Clean Steel, Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking, Batt4EU, and Clean Energy Transition. The activities and achievements developed within the scope of 2DPLOY can then be replicated by relevant HE Partnerships, to accelerate the deployment of mature, promising and high-impact innovations that come out of R&I projects, maybe combined with other de-risk mechanisms that can encourage innovation owners to invest in these technologies and, thus, pave the way for the decarbonisation of EII with European innovative technology.

Microalgae biomass holds a great potential to become the reference source of sustainable ingredients for a broad range of bio-based industries. However, it is still an underexploited feedstock in Europe, mostly used to produce low volume/high value products, due to lack of cost-competitive technological solutions for cultivation and biorefinery processes. MULTIPLY aims to demonstrate economically feasible and environmentally sustainable microalgae cultivation and biorefinery processes, for the provision of valuable algal ingredients, suited for the formulation of mid-price products for the food, feed, biomaterials, lubricants and cosmetics sectors. By enhancing and upscaling efficient, innovative and green technologies for the main steps of microalgae cultivation and downstream processing, implementing circular economy approaches and incorporating advanced monitoring and digital tools, MULTIPLY will increase productivity, reduce the use of resources and associated costs and improve the environmental performance of the processes. Based on 5 microalgae species, MULTIPLY will deliver 10 products of improved environmental impact, meeting market requirements. Led by the industry and backed up on institutes and universities of excellence, MULTIPLY brings together microalgae primary producers from southern and northern Europe, technology developers, researchers and industrial end-users of algae ingredients. A strong dissemination, communication and exploitation strategy will ensure an effective uptake of the project results, enabled by a better understanding of the social acceptance drivers and stimulating the enhanced public acceptance for algae-based products and processes. MULTIPLY will create new value chains, paving the way for the deployment of a sustainable, circular and digital microalgae industry in Europe.