Project description
New bioremediation technology based on mycorrhizal fungi
Land degradation is accelerating due to manufacturing, the use of chemicals in agriculture and other human activities. Healthy soils are a solution to the key challenges addressed by the European Green Deal. This is why treating contaminated and degraded soils is a priority. In this context, the EU-funded MYRES project will identify and select the most accurate mycorrhizal fungi species to restore soil properties. Mycorrhizae, the symbiotic association between fungi and roots of vascular plants, increase plants’ ability to resist diseases and are able to detoxify pollutants. This will be the first commercial application of mycorrhizal fungi for soil remediation in Europe.
Objective
MYRES provides the soil remediation industry with a biotechnology that has been largely tested in laboratory. Our company INOQ is ready to apply its expertise on mycorrhizal fungi to provide an innovative bioremediation technology to treat contaminated and degraded soils in Europe (and worldwide in subsequent phases). Mycorrhiza is the symbiotic association between fungi and roots of vascular plants. It increases the plant’s ability to resist diseases and is able to detoxify pollutants. We will identify and select the most accurate mycorrhizal fungi species to restore soil properties, as well as treat organic and inorganic contaminants. MYRES offers a complement and/or alternative to current remediation Ex situ and In situ techniques. Its characteristics includes: 100% natural, non-GMO, compatible with other techniques (accelerates phytoremediation), applicable for both residential and agricultural purposes, cost-effective method. To date there are no commercial applications of mycorrhizal fungi on soil remediation in Europe. Therefore, we identify our competitive advantage given our technical and commercial experience with similar applications. Our know-how and infrastructure include a culture collection and stock of more than 50 strains, hosting plant species, laboratories, nursing areas and green houses. Our technology is ranged between TRL 6 and TRL 7. Our aim is to be leader provider of Mycorrhiza based bioremediation technology. Our target leads are segmented in 3 groups: Soil remediation firms; Contractor firms managing remediation or land reclamation projects; and Firms with remediation activities as part of their operations (i.e. construction and Mining). European Union’s estimations include 490,000 contaminated sites with an average remediation cost of €180.000/site. Our estimated annual turnover will increase from €770.000 within the first three years to 2,3 Million within the next 8 years after phase 2 with continuous growth rate of at least 25%.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinator
29465 Schnega
Germany
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.