Objective
CARBOMED aims to translate a breakthrough from the ERC Consolidator Grant CARBOFLOW into a modular, autonomous synthesis platform that integrates high-temperature CO2 electrolysis with continuous-flow carbonylation chemistry and real-time machine learning control. While the primary application field is pharmaceutical manufacturing, the underlying technology establishes a broadly applicable platform for electrified carbonylation processes across the chemical industry.
Amide bonds are among the most ubiquitous functional groups in fine chemicals and in active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), yet conventional synthesis routes remain environmentally and operationally inefficient, relying on stoichiometric coupling agents or hazardous, pressurized carbon monoxide. CARBOMED introduces a fully integrated, digitally augmented synthesis platform that electrochemically reduces CO2 to CO and immediately channels it into a closed-loop continuous-flow reactor. This system is enhanced by a machine learning optimization engine that dynamically tunes process parameters - such as temperature, pressure, and residence time -based on real-time data from inline infrared spectroscopy.
The PoC project will demonstrate the platform’s performance across three high profile drug-relevant amides and validate its robustness, selectivity, and sustainability. Technical activities include reactor integration, catalyst testing, ML-based optimization, and mid-scale operation under industrially relevant conditions. The project de-risks the technology as a transferable platform suitable for pharmaceutical companies while offering clear expansion potential into wider carbonylation-based chemical production. Ultimately, CARBOMED offers a modular, scalable, and sustainable synthesis platform using carbon circularity and AI-guided automation, setting the stage for next-generation green chemistry applications.
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.
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry inorganic compounds
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
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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-2026-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.
1040 Wien
Austria
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.