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

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[[ https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11367-022-02087-0]]. 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)[[ 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).]] 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[[ The catalogue of European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) research infrastructures portfolio can be browsed from ESFRI website https://ri-portfolio.esfri.eu/]] 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.