Objective
"The global food and pet food industries face a critical dependency on unstable, unsustainable agricultural supply chains for proteins and fats. While microbial fermentation offers a promising solution, current state-of-the-art technologies are economically constrained by a ""ferment-and-extract"" model that relies on costly, solvent-intensive downstream processing and generates significant waste. MATRIA, a deep-tech SME from Türkiye (a Widening Country), introduces ZEROFERM, a proprietary ""Zero-Waste, Dual-Product, Whole-Broth Valorization"" platform. Currently validated at TRL 4, our breakthrough eliminates the extraction bottleneck entirely. By sequentially fermenting a proprietary oleaginous yeast for lipids and Saccharomyces cerevisiae for protein and prebiotics in the same medium, followed by low-energy controlled dehydration, we convert 100% of the fermentation broth into high-value ingredients: a functional metabolite-containing protein-rich powder.
This ""whole cell"" approach is structurally more sustainable and reduces production costs by approximately 32% compared to competitors. The objective of this 24-month EIC Pre-Accelerator project is to bridge the ""valley of death"" from TRL 4 to TRL 6 and achieve investment readiness. We will demonstrate market fit through comprehensive pet food palatability trials, human sensory evaluations, and rigorous functional activity tests. Furthermore, we will de-risk the business case by delivering independent Techno-Economic Analysis, Life Cycle Assessment, and Freedom-to-Operate reports. This project will transform MATRIA into an investment-ready manufacturer, enhancing EU strategic autonomy in critical food supplies and contributing to the Green Deal via a circular bio-economy model.
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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.
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules lipids
- social sciences economics and business economics bioeconomy
- engineering and technology industrial biotechnology bioprocessing technologies fermentation
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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.4.1 - Widening participation and spreading excellence
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-CSA - HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions
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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) HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-02
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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.
26150 Eskisehir
Türkiye
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
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.