Avecom

What Avecom does

Avecom NV is a privately held Belgian biotechnology company founded in 1995 and headquartered in Wondelgem, Belgium. The company specializes in applied microbial ecology under the framework of Microbial Resource Management, with two operational pillars: Environmental Remediation (microbial treatment of contaminated soil, water, air, and microbial corrosion) and Biomass Fermentation (conversion of industrial side streams into high-value ingredients such as single-cell proteins, biopolymers, and fertilizers).

Its product and service portfolio combines custom R&D and contract research (feasibility studies, pilot testing, small-scale contract manufacturing) with a portfolio of proprietary products including ProMic (single-cell protein from food-processing side streams), Power To Protein (gas-fermentation platform using hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria to convert CO2 into protein), EXIMIUM (protein-rich feed), ValProMic (potato-processing side-stream protein initiative with Agristo and Clarebout), PHBV biopolymers, AMF microbial fertilizer, and remediation/consortia products (ABIL, Bactocool, Multidechlorobac). Services include biodegradability testing against OECD and ASTM protocols, molecular monitoring (qPCR, PLFA), and Microbial Insights Europe laboratory analysis.

Revenue is generated through three intertwined channels: project-based professional services (R&D collaborations, feasibility studies, lab analysis), direct product sales to industrial clients in feed, agriculture, and environmental sectors, and technology licensing/royalty arrangements on patented processes (Power To Protein, ProMic, PHBV). Customers are primarily European industrial companies, academic and research institutions, and selected adjacent verticals (aquaculture, biomaterials, packaging), reached through direct sales, scientific content marketing (webinars, e-books, publications), and participation in EU and Flemish R&D programs. Co-founders include Professor Willy Verstraete of Ghent University; current leadership comprises CEO Stijn and Operations Director Kim Windey, with Stijn Boeren acting as Director through Oxidaan bv.

Name

Avecom

Legal name

Avecom NV

Website

https://avecom.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Avecom NV is a Belgian microbial ecology company that provides R&D services, contract fermentation, and proprietary microbial products for environmental remediation (soil, water, air, corrosion) and biomass fermentation, serving industrial firms, research institutions, and feed/bioplastics producers across Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Biotechnology

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Pesticide and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (32532)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Biological Formulation, Fermentation & Scale-Up Manufacturing (AFABAEAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Compostable & Bio-Based Packaging (PLA/PHA, Starch Blends, Cellulose Films) (IMALAMAB), Organic & Biological Input Retail (Biostimulants, Biopesticides, OMRI) (AFABAJAK)

Keywords

• Microbial resource management
• Environmental bioremediation services
• Biomass fermentation processes
• Single cell protein production
• Biodegradability testing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Wondelgem

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. R&D and Contract Research Services: Avecom provides feasibility studies, R&D collaboration, and small-scale contract manufacturing to industrial partners. Revenue is generated through project-based consulting, lab analysis, and process development engagements. The company collaborates with academic institutions and industrial companies for strategic R&D.
2. Proprietary Products (ProMic, EXIMIUM, Microbial Cultures): Sale of branded microbial feed products (ProMic, EXIMIUM, ValProMic), remediation cultures (ABIL, Bactocool, Multidechlorobac), and microbial fertilizers (AMF). Products are sold directly to industrial clients in feed, agriculture, and environmental sectors.
3. Technology Licensing and Process Development: Patented technologies (Power To Protein, PHBV production, ProMic process) may be licensed to partners. The company co-develops and scales up innovative microbial processes for clients, transferring technology from lab to commercial scale.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Avecom provides R&D services, feasibility studies, and small-scale contract manufacturing around Microbial Resource Management, specializing in environmental remediation (cleaning contaminated soil, water, and air using microbial consortia) and biomass fermentation (converting industrial side streams into single-cell proteins, biopolymers, and biofertilizers). The company also sells a portfolio of patented microbial products (ProMic, EXIMIUM, Power To Protein, PHBV, AMF, ABIL, Bactocool, Multidechlorobac) and operates molecular analysis services through the Microbial Insights Europe laboratory.

Product overview

Avecom offers a unified portfolio of biotechnology services and products centered on two core pillars: Environmental Remediation (microbial solutions for contaminated soil, water, air, and microbial corrosion) and Biomass Fermentation (converting industrial side streams into valuable ingredients). The product line includes ProMic and Power to Protein (single-cell protein products), EXIMIUM and ValProMic (feed solutions), PHBV biopolymers, and AMF microbial fertilizer. Key services encompass biodegradability testing, feasibility studies, molecular monitoring, and Microbial Insights Europe analysis. Avecom operates certified BSL-1 and BSL-2 laboratories with fermenters up to 2000 liters and holds Feed Chain Alliance certification for small-scale commercial production.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ProMic: Single Cell Protein (SCP) product for animal feed, produced through microbial fermentation from industrial side streams. Protein-rich biomass with approximately 70% crude protein content.
• EXIMIUM
• ValProMic
• Power to Protein
• ABIL
• Bactocool
• Multidechlorobac
• AMF

Products and services

• Environmental Remediation Services Microbial-based remediation services for cleaning contaminated soil, water, air, and addressing microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). Includes feasibility testing, molecular monitoring, and deployment of specialized microbial cultures for bioaugmentation projects targeting chlorinated compounds, mineral oils, BTEX, and MTBE.
• Biomass Fermentation Services Fermentation service platform that converts industrial side streams into sustainable and circular ingredients including single-cell proteins, biopolymers, and biofertilizers through microbial processes for industrial partners.
• ProMic (Single Cell Protein) Sustainable single-cell protein produced from undervalued co-products and residual side streams from the food processing industry through patented microbial fermentation. A high-quality protein source for animal feed, with approximately 70% crude protein content and a superior amino acid profile, addressing the global protein gap.
• Power To Protein Patented gas fermentation process using hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria to convert CO2 and ammonium into protein-rich single-cell protein (SCP) with 60–80% crude protein content and near 100% net nitrogen conversion efficiency, for food and feed applications using green hydrogen as energy carrier.
• EXIMIUM Naturally formulated protein-rich animal feed product with 45% crude protein, 10% minerals, and 5% carbohydrates in dry matter, produced under stringent quality-controlled conditions for livestock nutrition.
• ValProMic Collaborative initiative transforming residual potato processing side streams into high-quality microbial single-cell protein (SCP) with approximately 70% protein content for pig feed and aquaculture applications.
• AMF (Avecom Microbial Fertilizer) Sustainable microbial fertilizer providing slow-release plant macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), buffering against soil acidity, alkalinity, salinity, pesticides, and heavy metals while supporting circular economy practices.
• PHBV Biopolymer Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) biopolymer produced using non-GMO bacteria in a proprietary fermentation process. Non-toxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible, serving as an alternative to non-biodegradable synthetic polymers with oxygen barrier properties comparable to EVOH for food packaging applications.
• ABIL Specialized microbial culture designed for rapid biofilter activation in recirculating aquaculture systems, ensuring efficient conversion of fish-produced ammonium into nitrate.
• Bactocool Microbial product for controlling ammonia and nitrite levels in aquariums, ponds, and recirculating aquaculture systems.
• Multidechlorobac Microbial consortium product for bioaugmentation projects targeting chlorinated volatile organic compounds (Cl-VOCs) in soil and groundwater remediation.
• Biodegradability Testing Custom biodegradation testing services including OECD and ASTM protocols, with 30 years of expertise in testing complex polymers and novel materials across various environmental matrices.
• Feasibility Study - Valorisation of Side Streams Comprehensive evaluation service assessing technical feasibility, economic viability, and regulatory requirements for converting industrial waste and co-products into value-added ingredients through microbial fermentation.
• Molecular Monitoring Molecular biological tools service providing detailed identification and precise quantification of microbial communities using qPCR, PLFA, and other advanced analytical techniques for environmental samples.
• Microbial Insights Europe Molecular analysis services delivered through a Belgium-based laboratory jointly operated with Microbial Insights, including qPCR, QuantArray, In Situ Microcosms (ISMs), and Stable Isotope Probing (SIP) for detailed microbial community analysis for European clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• ProMic requires 100 times less water and has a land footprint 1000 times smaller than traditional protein sources
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Microbial InsightscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Microbial Insights, a leading pioneer in biotechnology laboratories, partnered with Avecom to establish Microbial Insights Europe — a laboratory in Belgium serving European clients with molecular analysis services including qPCR, QuantArray, In Situ Microcosms, and Stable Isotope Probing. Avecom handles sample preparation and extraction, eliminating the need for international shipping to the USA.
• KWR (Kennisinstituut voor Water), Allied WaterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAvecom co-developed the Power To Protein technology in collaboration with KWR (Dutch water research institute) and Allied Waters. The partnership focuses on closing the artificial nitrogen cycle by converting wastewater ammonium into microbial protein through gas fermentation.
• AgristocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgristo, a global frozen potato products company headquartered in Harelbeke, Belgium, partners with Avecom in the ValProMic initiative — transforming residual potato processing side streams into microbial protein (SCP) for pig feed and aquaculture applications.
• ClareboutcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClarebout, a leading manufacturer of frozen potato products, partners with Avecom in the ValProMic initiative alongside Agristo and Akwadok. The collaboration converts residual potato processing side streams into high-quality single-cell protein for pig feed and aquaculture.
• CETaqua Water Technology CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCETaqua coordinated the LIFE NECOVERY project on wastewater resource recovery, implemented in partnership with Avecom. The project demonstrated the feasibility of transforming WWTPs from energy consumers to resource recovery sites by extracting energy and nutrients from wastewater.
• University of GhentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Ghent is a key academic partner, notably through its connection to Professor Willy Verstraete (co-founder of Avecom). Avecom collaborates with UGent across multiple research projects including AgriLoop and CAFIPLA, contributing laboratory testing and upscaling capabilities.
• Inagro vzwminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInagro vzw's Aquaculture Practice Centre uses Avecom's ABIL product for rapid biofilter activation in recirculating aquaculture systems. This represents a product adoption partnership in the aquaculture sector.
• AkwadokminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAkwadok partners with Avecom in the ValProMic initiative alongside Agristo and Clarebout, contributing expertise in aquaculture to the collaborative effort to convert potato processing side streams into microbial protein.
• Vynova (LVM site, Tessenderlo)minorOthersThe LVM Biocells project operated at the VYNOVA site in Tessenderlo, Belgium (former Limburgse Vinyl Maatschappij site), demonstrating Avecom's innovative remediation technique for CAH-contaminated groundwater at a real industrial site.
• IMAQua, TromeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn the C-Shrimp project for sustainable indoor shrimp production, Avecom partners with IMAQua and Trome alongside support from VLAIO and the EU. The project develops an indoor shrimp cultivation concept based on clear water technology that produces virtually no waste.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Solar Foods: Solar Foods produces Solein, a single-cell protein made by gas fermentation from CO2 and hydrogen, with a similar architecture to Avecom's Power To Protein. Both target the alternative-protein market with a carbon-to-microbe process.
• OWS (Organic Waste Systems): OWS is a Belgian research and testing organization specializing in biodegradability and compostability testing under OECD and ASTM protocols. It directly competes with Avecom's Biodegradability Testing service for industrial clients developing compostable materials.
• Lallemand: Lallemand is a global leader in yeast and bacteria-based solutions for environmental, agricultural, and industrial applications, with bioremediation and fermentation product lines directly overlapping Avecom's two core pillars. Both firms sell microbial cultures into wastewater, soil, and industrial fermentation customers.
• Danimer Scientific: Danimer Scientific is a US-based producer of PHA biopolymers (Nodax), directly competing with Avecom's PHBV offering in the biodegradable plastics and food-packaging market. Both target the same fossil-plastic replacement use case with fermentation-derived biopolymers.
• LanzaTech: LanzaTech is the leading gas-fermentation company, using proprietary microbes to convert CO2 and industrial off-gases into fuels, chemicals, and proteins. Its carbon-to-product platform directly competes with Avecom's Power To Protein technology for gas-fermentation partnerships and licenses.

Broad incumbents

• Corbion: Corbion is a global leader in lactic-acid fermentation and bioplastics (including PLA), with a fermentation platform and biopolymer portfolio that overlaps Avecom's biomass fermentation and PHBV biopolymer offerings. It is a broad incumbent with significantly larger scale.
• Kaneka: Kaneka is a large Japanese chemical manufacturer that produces PHBH, a PHA biopolymer directly competing with Avecom's PHBV. It is a broad incumbent with established industrial-scale biopolymer production.
• Novonesis (formerly Novozymes): Novonesis is the world's largest industrial enzyme and microbial solutions company, with overlapping capabilities in agricultural biologicals, bioprocessing, and environmental applications. It serves as the broad incumbent against which Avecom's microbial fermentation and remediation solutions must compete.

Emerging players

• BioMicrobics: BioMicrobics provides decentralized wastewater treatment and bioremediation solutions using microbial consortia, partially overlapping Avecom's environmental remediation services and aquaculture/aquatic product lines.
• Deep Branch Biotechnology: Deep Branch develops single-cell protein from CO2 and hydrogen for animal feed and aquaculture — a focused overlap with Avecom's ProMic and Power To Protein offerings. Smaller and earlier-stage, it represents an emerging competitor in the same gas-fermentation protein niche.

Market position

Strengths2 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/AvecomNV
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCT0c8Icql5waNvUNWilFL4g
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/avecomnv

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Avecom