BIOMAC

What BIOMAC does

BIOMAC (European Sustainable BIO-based nanoMAterials Community) is a Horizon 2020-funded Open Innovation Test Bed (OITB) consortium established in 2020 under Grant Agreement No. 952941, with approximately €15M in EU funding over a 48-month project period. The consortium coordinates 34 partner organizations across 12 European countries — including universities (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki as Project Coordinator, Luleå University of Technology, University of Edinburgh, Politecnico di Milano, University of Padua, Universidad de Burgos), research and technology organizations (LIST, RISE Processum, ATB, DTI, Fraunhofer WKI, ISQ), and industrial companies (Novamont, ACCIONA Construcción, Eversia, STAM, IBB Netzwerk) — to deliver open access to 17 pilot lines organized into three clusters across the full value chain: Biomass Fractionation & Pre-treatment, Intermediate Materials & Nanocomposites, and Final Products & Formulation. All pilot lines have been upgraded to TRL 7.

The core technology is nano-enabled bio-based materials (NBMs) — nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC), cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), bacterial nanocellulose (BNC), nanolignin (NL), and biochar — integrated into bio-based polymer nanocomposites for automotive interiors, agriculture (biodegradable grow pots and mulch films), food packaging, construction (3D-printed structural components), and printed electronics (stretchable conductive EMG electrodes). Four complementary service hubs extend the offering beyond physical infrastructure: a Validation Hub for quality control and characterization, a Value Chain Hub for sustainability assessment (S-LCA/LCA/LCC) and supply management via a Decision Support Tool, and a Market Uptake Hub for innovation management, regulation, and data management. Single-point access is delivered through IBB Netzwerk GmbH in Munich as the Single Entry Point (SEP).

BIOMAC does not sell products commercially; it operates as a non-profit research infrastructure funded by EU Horizon 2020. The business model is twofold: during the 48-month project period, services are grant-funded and available free of charge to selected Test Cases (5 internal plus 5 external from the December 2022 Open Call); post-project, the consortium targets self-sustainability through revenue generation from ecosystem service activities at fair conditions and costs. The go-to-market motion is event-driven and inquiry-based, routed through the OITB Inquiry Portal and SEP, targeting SMEs, start-ups, research bodies, and midcaps with biomaterial concepts at TRL 4–5 seeking upscaling to TRL 7, with demonstrated capability to reduce concept-to-prototype timelines to under eight months.

Name

BIOMAC

Legal name

BIOMAC (European Sustainable BIO-based nanoMAterials Community)

Website

https://biomac-oitb.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BIOMAC is a Horizon 2020-funded European Open Innovation Test Bed consortium of 34 partners providing open access to 17 pilot lines and four service hubs for upscaling nano-enabled bio-based materials, serving SMEs, start-ups, research bodies, and midcaps across automotive, agriculture, food packaging, construction, and printed electronics.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Bio-based Materials Research and Pilot Upscaling Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Bioprocess Development & Scale-Up/Scale-Down Platforms (DoE, high-throughput, modeling) (HLAAAJAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bioprocess Facility, Cleanroom & Utility Systems (HVAC, WFI, CIP/SIP, containment) (HLAAAJAJ), Process Development & Tech Transfer Services (upstream/downstream) (HLAAAKAF), Environmental Monitoring & Cleanroom Testing (GMP) (HLAGADAL), GMP Quality, Validation & Regulatory Support (GMP/CSV/Qualification) (HLAGAGAL)

Keywords

• Bio-based nanomaterials
• Pilot line upscaling
• Open innovation test bed
• Polymer nanocomposites
• Sustainability assessment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Munich

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices32 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. EU Horizon 2020 Grant Funding: BIOMAC is funded under the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (Grant Agreement No. 952941). The project duration is 48 months. Post-project, the OITB targets self-sustainability through revenue generation from its service activities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

BIOMAC is a Horizon 2020-funded Open Innovation Test Bed (OITB) that provides open access to 17 pilot lines and four complementary service hubs for the development, testing, and upscaling of nano-enabled bio-based materials (NBMs) and polymer nanocomposites. The ecosystem covers the full value chain from biomass fractionation and pre-treatment through intermediate chemicals and nanomaterial production to final product formulation, supporting applications in automotive, agriculture, food packaging, construction, and printed electronics. Services include Quality Control & Characterization, Standardization, Process Validation, Sustainability Assessment (S-LCA/LCA/LCC), Supply Management via Decision Support Tool, and Innovation Management accessed through a Single Entry Point operated by IBB Netzwerk GmbH.

Product overview

BIOMAC (European Sustainable BIO-based nanoMAterials Community) is a Horizon 2020-funded Open Innovation Test Bed (OITB) ecosystem that provides open access to 17 Pilot Lines and four complementary service hubs (Pilot Plant Supreme Hub, Validation Hub, Value Chain Hub, and Market Uptake Hub) for the development, testing, and upscaling of nano-enabled bio-based materials and products. The ecosystem covers the entire value chain from biomass fractionation and pre-treatment (BFPC cluster: PL1, PL5), through intermediate materials and nanocomposites (IMNC cluster: PL2-PL8), to final products and formulation (FPFC cluster: PL9-PL17). Services include Quality Control & Characterization, Standardization, Process Validation & Modelling, Sustainability Assessment (S-LCA/LCA/LCC), Supply Management via Decision Support Tool, Circular Economy evaluation, Innovation Management, Health & Safety, Regulation, and Data Management. The platform is validated through five internal Test Cases in Automotive, Agriculture, Food Packaging, Construction, and Printed Electronics, with an Open Call program for external stakeholders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pilot Plant Supreme Hub
• Validation Hub
• Value Chain Hub
• Market Uptake Hub
• Single Entry Point (SEP) Platform
• Open Call Program
• Automotive Test Case (TeC1)
• Agriculture Test Case (TeC2)
• Food Packaging Test Case (TeC3)
• Construction Test Case (TeC4)
• Printed Electronics Test Case (TeC5)
• 17 Pilot Lines for Bio-based Material Production
• Decision Support Tool (DST)

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduction of bio-based concept to prototype component to under 8 months
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• IBB Netzwerk GmbHcoreOthersIBB Netzwerk GmbH (Industrielle Biotechnologie Bayern Netzwerk) serves as the OITB Coordination Team and Single Entry Point (SEP) for the BIOMAC ecosystem. Located in Munich, Germany, IBB connects industry, academia, and politics in sustainable biotechnology. IBB coordinates the SEP/one-stop-shop framework enabling all 34 partners to deliver integrated services to external clients.
• Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAUTH is the Project Coordinator of BIOMAC, led by Prof. Dimitrios Bikiaris. It operates the Laboratory of Chemical and Environmental Technology (LCET) and Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Technology (LPCT). AUTH contributes PL3 (catalytic hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis for polyols and diols) and PL-related activities. It is the largest university in Greece and the Balkans with 40,000 students and 2,366 faculty members.
• Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant (BBEPP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBBEPP operates PL5 (hydrothermal pre-treatment of biomass) and PL6 (purification of liquid fractions). Located in Ghent, Belgium, BBEPP is a flexible pilot plant for bio-based process development and scale-up from 5L to 50m³. Multi-KET Pilot Lines demonstrator. Responsible for process development, scale-up, and pilot production in the BIOMAC ecosystem.
• Luxembourg Institute of Science & Technology (LIST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIST operates PL9 (continuous reactive extrusion for TPU with inline NIR monitoring) and PL10 (mechanical milling for NFC production). Located in Luxembourg, LIST contributes its Materials Research and Technology (MRT) department expertise in biobased polymers and biocomposites, as well as its IT for Innovative Services (ITIS) department for digital tools.
• Novamont S.p.A.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNovamont leads the Agriculture Test Case (TeC2), developing biodegradable grow pots and mulch films using its proprietary Mater-Bi biopolyesters combined with biochar and nanolignin from BIOMAC pilot lines. Worldwide leader in biodegradable/compostable bioplastics. 2019 sales: €270M, 600+ employees, ~1,800 patents. Certified B Corporation and Benefit Company.
• ACCIONA ConstruccióncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACCIONA leads the Construction Test Case (TeC4), using BIOMAC ecosystem to develop 3D-printed footbridge components from bio-nanocomposite materials (PLA with biochar, lignin, nanocellulose). Leading European construction company with 2019 turnover of €3,430M and 11,220 employees. Active in sustainable construction and European Construction Technology Platform.
• AIMPLAScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIMPLAS (Plastic Technology Centre, Valencia) operates PL11 (reactive extrusion for PLA and PLA nanocomposites via ring-opening polymerization). Contributes expertise in biopolymers, nanocomposites, and packaging applications. 170+ employees, 600+ associated companies. Production capacity: 6–10 kg/h of PLA and PLA nanocomposites.
• ITENEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerITENE (Packaging Technology Centre, Valencia) operates PL13 (mechanical treatment for NFC/CNC production) and PL14 (coating and ink formulation). Contributes food packaging expertise, food safety, active packaging, and sustainability assessment. 153 employees, 7,105 m² facilities. Production capacity: 30–40 kg NFC at 2% consistency.
• AIMEN Technology CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIMEN (Northwest Spain) operates PL15 (additive manufacturing via LFAM and photopolymerization). Contributes expertise in 3D printing of thermoplastic TPU composites and bio-based resins. 240+ employees, with robotic 3D printing capabilities (FANUC R-2000iC/125L robot, CEAD pellet extruder, 3×1.2m heated print table).
• Fraunhofer WKIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFraunhofer WKI (Braunschweig, Germany) operates PL12 (resins pilot line for bio-based polyesters and polyurethanes via azeotropic polycondensation). Upgraded to 30L double-walled steel reactor (up to 25kg per batch). Contributes surface technology, bio-based coatings, and adhesives expertise. Part of Europe's leading application-oriented research organization (74 institutes).
• Luleå University of Technology (LTU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLTU operates PL1 (semi-continuous organosolv-steam explosion pre-treatment of lignocellulosic biomass). Contributes expertise in biomass pretreatment, enzymatic processes, and microbial production. Biochemical Process Engineering group of 20 researchers with experience since 1989 in bio-based fuels, chemicals, and materials.
• RISE Processum ABcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRISE Processum (Örnsköldsvik, Sweden) operates PL2 (hydrolysis of fibre sludge and BNC production). Contributes expertise in biorefinery processes, bacterial nanocellulose production, and pilot-scale equipment (up to 600 litres per batch). Part of governmentally owned RISE research institutes of Sweden.
• Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerATB (Potsdam, Germany) operates PL7 (enzymatic hydrolysis and microbial fermentation for succinic and lactic acid production). Contributes interdisciplinary expertise in sustainable agricultural technologies and bioeconomy. One of the largest agricultural research institutions in Europe.
• University of Edinburgh (UEDIN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUEDIN operates PL8 (biomass carbonization via rotary kiln pyrolysis for biochar production up to 50kg/h at 850°C). Contributes advanced biochar research from its UK Biochar Research Centre. Top 10 UK university with extensive Horizon 2020 track record (308 projects, €213M+).
• Creative Nano PC (CNANO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNANO (Thessaloniki, Greece) operates PL4 (ultrasound-assisted production of nanolignin colloidal dispersions). Contributes expertise in nanomaterial synthesis, coating deposition, and dispersion. Founded 2013, specializing in high-performance composite protective coatings with enhanced corrosion resistance, transparency, and antibacterial properties.
• Danish Technological Institute (DTI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDTI (Odense, Denmark) operates PL16 (printed electronics, specifically nano-ink development with nano Ag and Cu materials, ink formulation, and digital production using ink-jet printing). Largest technological service provider in Denmark with ISO17025 certification. Over 14,000 assignments annually, mostly for SMEs.
• Nanotypos EE (NNT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNNT (Thessaloniki, Greece) operates PL17 (nano structuring and thermoforming for printed electronics). Contributes roll-to-roll nanoimprint lithography expertise for optical devices, photonic applications, biotechnology, energy harvesting, and organic electronics. Founded 2012, pioneering nanoimprint technology.
• DIAD GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDIAD Group (Italy) serves as end-user for the Automotive Test Case (TeC1), validating bio-based sun car visors developed through BIOMAC pilot lines. Advanced technologies company for automotive and aerospace sectors, member of AMRC with Boeing and chair of the Industrialisation and Nanomanufacturing working group on NANOFutures ETIP.
• Eversia InnovacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEversia (Molina de Segura, Spain) leads the Food Packaging Test Case (TeC3), validating bio-based PLA films with NFC coatings developed through BIOMAC pilot lines. Packaging manufacturer with 2019 turnover of €82M (€20M exports), 350 employees, 30,000 m² facilities producing 40,000 tons of plastics annually.
• PRECUREcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPRECURE (Denmark) validates the Printed Electronics Test Case (TeC5), using bio-based EMG electrodes integrated into smart textiles for musculoskeletal disorder prevention. Develops smart wearable IoT devices analyzing muscular activity with machine learning. Original product MLI ELBOW improved using BIOMAC bio-based conductive inks.
• Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPOLIMI contributes to the Validation Hub (quality control and characterization of novel materials). Operates ChIPlab (Chemistry and Characterization of Innovative Polymers) within the Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering. Largest Italian university for Engineering (~40,000 students, ~1,500 faculty). QS World Ranking 2020: 149th global.
• University of Padua (UNIPD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNIPD serves as Innovation & Exploitation Manager via the Department of Economics and Management Marco Fanno (DSEA). One of Europe's oldest and most prestigious universities. DSEA ranked 3rd out of 48 mid-sized economics and business departments in Italy (VQR 2011–14) and among Italian Departments of Excellence 2018–22.
• Universidad de Burgos (UBU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUBU contributes Validation Technical Manager and Sustainability Assessment via ICCRAM (Critical Raw Materials) and AdF (Analysis and Modelling of Materials) groups. ICCRAM integrates synthesis of nanomaterials, computational simulation, nanosafety, and sustainability evaluation. Ranked 13th among Spanish universities.
• Instituto de Soldadura e Qualidade (ISQ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISQ (Portugal) contributes sustainability assessment, eco-efficiency methodologies, life cycle analysis, nanosafety, and risk assessment expertise. Independent technical organization founded 1965 with international presence in 16 countries. 16 accredited laboratories (EN ISO/IEC 17025), involved in major scientific projects including CERN LHC and ESA.
• European Biomass Industry Association (EUBIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEUBIA serves as Dissemination & Communication Manager, promoting BIOMAC through its network of market actors, technology providers, and knowledge centres. Established 1996 in Brussels, Belgium. Co-organizer of the European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (largest biomass event in Europe).
• European Bioplastics e.V. (EUBP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEUBP contributes standardization and regulatory expertise for the Validation Hub and Market Uptake Hub. Represents the bioplastics industry in Europe with 70 member companies across the value chain. Monitors standards including EN 13432 and supports circular economy policy development.
• Exelisis (EXE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEXE serves as IPR Manager and Innovation Management contributor in the Market Uptake Hub. Engineering-based consulting company in Athens specializing in materials, processes, and energy field business development and multi-actor legislative framework assessment.
• Stam S.r.l. (STAM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTAM serves as Ecosystem Technical Manager. Private engineering company in Genoa, Italy, with 25+ employees specializing in innovative mechanical systems, robotics, and mechatronics. Patented several devices including transmissions and manufacturing machinery. ESA technology transfer programme supplier.
• IRIS Technology Solutions SLcoreTechnology or IntegrationIRIS (Barcelona, Spain) contributes Process Analytical Technology (PAT) and inline NIR monitoring for pilot lines PL9 and PL11. Specializes in real-time quality monitoring using photonics (NIR spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging, Raman) and AI/machine learning for smart manufacturing. ISO 9001:2008 and Tecnio certified. 60+ employees, €5M turnover.
• Idener R&D (IDE)coreTechnology or IntegrationIDE (Spain) contributes computational tools for process modelling and optimization in the Validation Hub and Data Management in the Market Uptake Hub. Specializes in mathematical modelling, multidisciplinary design optimization, control engineering, and software engineering. Participating in up to 11 H2020 projects.
• RDC Informatics (RDC)coreTechnology or IntegrationRDC (Thessaloniki, Greece) contributes web development, digital marketing, SaaS solutions, and Decision Support Tool development for the Value Chain Hub. Provides cloud-based technology solutions and operational excellence through business automation. ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certified. 20 years experience.
• Axia Innovation (AXIA)coreTechnology or IntegrationAXIA (Germany) contributes Decision Support Tool development for supply management and circular economy assessment. Project management, innovation management, knowledge transfer, and communication services. Recently expanded towards computational support for recycling materials, plastics, and bio-based chemicals.
• Abis Sp. z o.o. (ABIS)coreTechnology or IntegrationABIS (Krakow, Poland) contributes process validation modelling expertise and monitoring systems integration for pilot lines. Engineering company specializing in robotics integration, production process monitoring, and industrial control devices. Completed over 600 projects using SCADA, MES, PLC, and vision quality control systems.
• Miscanthus d.o.o. (MISC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMISC (Croatia) supplies cellulosic biomass feedstock (Miscanthus x giganteus) to BIOMAC pilot lines. Managing over 100 hectares of Miscanthus Giganteus clone Illinois nursery plantations in Croatia. Supplier of cellulosic biomass feedstock for the Western Balkans region.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• RISE Research Institutes of Sweden: Governmentally owned Swedish RTO providing biorefinery and bio-based materials pilot-scale services (PL2 partner in BIOMAC). Competes directly for Nordic and EU bioeconomy pilot-scale contracts.
• AIMPLAS: Spanish plastics technology center with 170+ staff operating reactive extrusion and biopolymer pilot lines (PL11 partner). Offers independently commercial pilot services that overlap with BIOMAC's FPFC cluster.
• Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant (BBEPP): BBEPP is a flexible pilot plant in Ghent operating bio-based process scale-up from 5L to 50m³ — the same service category BIOMAC aggregates, and is itself a BIOMAC partner operating PL5/PL6. Direct competitor for pilot-scale bio-based process development services.
• ITENE (Packaging, Transport and Logistics Research Centre): Spanish packaging technology center with 153 staff operating NFC/CNC production and coating pilot lines (PL13/PL14 partner). Competes for bio-based packaging scale-up clients alongside BIOMAC's food packaging vertical.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finnish RTO operating pilot-scale biorefining and biomaterial development facilities, comparable in scope and TRL to BIOMAC's offerings for industrial biotechnology scale-up.

Broad incumbents

• Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft: Europe's largest application-oriented research organization with 74 institutes. Fraunhofer WKI is a BIOMAC partner (PL12), but the broader Fraunhofer network offers overlapping pilot and scale-up services for bio-based and advanced materials across Germany and Europe.
• TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research): Dutch applied research organization with extensive bio-based materials and circular economy pilot capabilities. Offers comparable industrial biotech and advanced materials scale-up services across the Benelux region.

Emerging players

• CelluForce: Canadian nanocrystalline cellulose producer with commercial-scale CNC manufacturing. Comparable in materials focus (CNC/NFC) but operates as a materials supplier rather than a multi-client pilot test bed.

Others

• European Bioplastics e.V. (EUBP): Industry association representing 70 European bioplastics companies (BIOMAC partner). Provides standardization and policy advocacy rather than pilot services, but functions as a complementary ecosystem player for BIOMAC's go-to-market.
• BIC (Bio-Based Industries Consortium): Public-private partnership under Horizon Europe that funds and coordinates bio-based industrial pilots across the EU. Operates as an adjacent ecosystem orchestrator rather than a direct pilot competitor, but shapes the funding landscape BIOMAC depends on.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/biomacoitb

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about BIOMAC