Project description
Greener chemistry driving paracetamol production
Paracetamol is one of the most used medicines worldwide. Yet its production depends on chemical techniques that use up a lot of energy and create harmful waste. Funded by the European Research Council, the BioParacetamol project aims to develop a different approach. It plans to use enzymes to run the process at lower temperatures: this will cut down on toxic by-products while boosting productivity and scalability. With its simple one-pot, two-step method, this approach promises cleaner, more eco-friendly manufacturing. Currently in its early phases, BioParacetamol plans to grow through careful testing and a study on business potential. Successful results could put Europe at the forefront of green chemistry.
Objective
Current paracetamol production relies on century-old chemical methods that have significant environmental drawbacks, including high energy consumption, low process efficiency, and substantial waste generation. The BioParacetamol solution offers a more sustainable alternative by using enzymes to catalyse reactions at lower temperatures, producing fewer toxic by-products.
This innovative process utilises a simplified one-pot, two-step synthesis, reducing energy demands, increasing efficiency, and minimising waste, particularly harmful by-products. Designed to be both scalable and commercially viable, BioParacetamol presents a major opportunity for the pharmaceutical industry to adopt greener chemistry practices.
The BioParacetamol innovation is still in the early stages of development, with a technology readiness level (TRL) of 2, but aims to reach higher TRLs through rigorous testing and optimisation.
The project’s primary goal is to demonstrate the feasibility of this process at an industrial scale, alongside a comprehensive business feasibility study to evaluate its commercial potential. BioParacetamol represents a high-risk, high-gain opportunity with the potential to not only improve the environmental footprint of paracetamol production but also position Europe as a leader in sustainable pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-POC
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
2628 CN DELFT
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.