Research and Innovation Centre Pro-Akademia

What Research and Innovation Centre Pro-Akademia does

CBI Pro-Akademia (Centrum Badań i Innowacji Pro-Akademia) is a Polish non-profit research and innovation center founded in 1996 and headquartered in Konstantynów Łódzki (Łódź Voivodeship). It operates as a registered scientific unit with the Polish Ministry of Education and Science (category B+ in environmental engineering, mining, and energy) and holds distinctive credentials including HR Excellence in Research accreditation from the European Commission, an indefinite-duration BSL-2 genetic engineering facility permit, and ISO 9001:2015 certification. The organization employs 17 staff and is structured around four specialized laboratories: Biomass and Waste Valorization, Bioprocess, Energy Efficiency, and Natural Products, supplemented by a Technology Transfer Center in Renewable Energy Sources.

The center's core technical capabilities span thermochemical biomass conversion, high-temperature gas purification, water and wastewater treatment, fuel cells, and closed-use genetic engineering of microorganisms. Its proprietary technologies include CombiSonoPlasma® (a hybrid cathodic plasma-solution electrolysis/ultrasonic process achieving over 80% TOC reduction in hypersaline wastewater with simultaneous hydrogen production), Power and Biomass-to-X methanol synthesis using SOEC electrolysis (over 95% carbon conversion versus ~40-45% conventional), biomass gasification residue valorization, and a patented SDI measurement system. The portfolio is protected by three granted patents and a 2025 trademark.

The business model is grant-funded and consortium-driven. CBI generates revenue as a coordinator or partner in EU research projects (Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, Norwegian Funds, ERDF) and through commissioned R&D, training, and consulting services for enterprises, scientific institutions, NGOs, and government administration. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. Notable clients include the European Commission, University of Warsaw, Polish Space Agency (POLSA), EU CAP Network, NCBiR, and Norwegian Funds. Geographic reach spans at least 13 countries through consortia including Austria, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Norway, Denmark, Hungary, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Greece.

Name

Research and Innovation Centre Pro-Akademia

Legal name

Centrum Badań i Innowacji Pro-Akademia

Website

https://proakademia.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CBI Pro-Akademia is a Polish non-profit research and innovation center operating four specialized laboratories in biomass valorization, bioprocesses, energy efficiency, and natural products. It delivers EU-funded applied research, commissioned R&D, and technology transfer to enterprises, scientific institutions, and government across 13 European countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Applied Research and Innovation Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715), Engineering Services (541330), Environmental Consulting Services (54162)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Biofuel Plant EPC, O&M & Process Technology Providers (EUAAAHAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental Compliance & Permitting (BPAHAJAA), Research Administration & Grants Management Support (Pre/Post-Award, Compliance) (EDAEALAO)

Keywords

• Applied research services
• Biomass valorization research
• Renewable energy consulting
• Circular economy innovation
• Technology transfer services

Headquarters

HQ city

Łódź

HQ country

Poland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. EU Research Project Grants: CBI Pro-Akademia operates primarily through EU-funded research projects (Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, Norwegian Funds, ERDF) as a consortium partner or project coordinator. Revenue is generated through competitive grant funding rather than commercial sales.
2. Research Services for Enterprises: Design and provision of research services, training services, and pro-innovation consulting services under ISO 9001:2015 certification. Revenue generated through commissioned R&D work for private sector clients.
3. Technology Transfer Services: Technology transfer services through the Technology Transfer Center in Renewable Energy Sources (CTT), offering expertise to businesses and institutions.
4. Student Internship Programs: Paid student internship positions (e.g., summer research internships with compensation of 4,850 PLN gross) within research groups working on EU projects.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CBI Pro-Akademia is a non-profit research and innovation center delivering applied research services, pro-innovation consulting, and training services under ISO 9001:2015 certification. It conducts commissioned R&D and participates as a coordinator or consortium partner in EU-funded research projects (Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, Norwegian Funds, ERDF) spanning biomass valorization, renewable energy, climate adaptation, circular economy, and environmental engineering. The center operates four specialized laboratories (Biomass and Waste Valorization, Bioprocess, Energy Efficiency, Natural Products) and a Technology Transfer Centre in Renewable Energy Sources, and holds a BSL-2 genetic engineering permit.

Product overview

CBI Pro-Akademia is a research and innovation center offering a portfolio of research services, training, and pro-innovation advisory services. The organization operates through specialized laboratories (Biomass and Waste Valorization Laboratory, Bioprocess Laboratory, Energy Efficiency Laboratory, Natural Products Laboratory) and manages multiple international research projects including EcoReadyMasuria (climate adaptation living lab), BeBOP (biomass-to-methanol conversion), ACE-WATER (plasma-based wastewater treatment with CombiSonoPlasma® technology), SmartFood (urban food systems), and PROKOKO (poultry welfare solutions). The center also conducts research in physicochemical technologies applicable to space sector applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Commissioned Research, Innovation Consulting and Training Services ISO 9001:2015 certified applied research services, pro-innovation consulting, and training services delivered to enterprises, scientific institutions, NGOs, and government administration. Scope covers environmental engineering, renewable energy, biomass valorization, circular economy, climate adaptation, and agribusiness under the Operational Programme Intelligent Development framework.
• Technology Transfer Centre in Renewable Energy Sources (CTT OZE) Technology transfer services delivered through the Technology Transfer Centre in Renewable Energy Sources (Centrum Transferu Technologii OZE), providing expertise in biomass and waste valorization, energy efficiency, bioprocesses, and natural products to businesses and institutions in Poland.
• EcoReadyMasuria Living Lab Living lab co-creating and modeling climate adaptation scenarios for agricultural food production systems in the Masuria region of Poland, testing scenarios in real conditions for barley, corn, sunflower, red clover, and milk production across Ełk, Gołdap, and Olecko counties.
• BeBOP (Biomass to Bio/E-methanol) Power and Biomass to X Installation Research and development project for a novel Power and Biomass to X (PBtX) installation that processes biomass and electricity into methanol using solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC), targeting over 95% carbon conversion from biomass to methanol at TRL6 pilot stage.
• ACE-WATER CombiSonoPlasma Wastewater Treatment Process Cathodic Plasma Discharge Solution Electrolysis (CPDSE) based CombiSonoPlasma (CSP) process for degrading pollutants in tannery and textile wastewater with simultaneous hydrogen production, achieving over 80% TOC reduction and nearly 50% lower total energy consumption.
• SmartFood Urban Food Production Solutions Project developing and testing innovative socio-technological solutions for sustainable urban food production and consumption, including plant-based and insect-based food production using rainwater and solar energy. Funded 1,364,249.99 EUR from Norway plus 240,750.00 EUR from Polish budget.
• PROKOKO Poultry Welfare Bedding Material Project developing innovative poultry bedding material to improve poultry welfare, including research on hazards in poultry production and development of an industrial-scale pilot production line.
• NEWTRENDS Energy Demand Modeling Research Research project identifying new social trends (digitization, circular economy, low-emission economy, sharing economy) affecting energy consumption and integrating them into energy demand modeling with pan-European research partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 95% carbon conversion from biomass to methanol (more than double traditional ~40-45% efficiency)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Aalborg UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 January 2026Danish university - partner in ACE-WATER project focused on wastewater treatment using CombiSonoPlasma technology.
• Bulkai LtdminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 January 2026Partner in ACE-WATER project for wastewater treatment technology development.
• University of Naples Federico IIminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 January 2026Partner in ACE-WATER project contributing to research on advanced wastewater treatment solutions.
• ECODESIGN Spółka Doradztwa w Zakresie Inżynierii i ZarządzaniaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Engineering and management consulting firm collaborating on the BeBOP project for biomass-to-methanol conversion using SOEC technology.
• ELCOGENminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Partner in BeBOP project contributing to the development of the Power and Biomass to X installation for methanol production.
• EU CORE ConsultingminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Italian firm specializing in design and management of national, international, and EU-funded research and cooperation projects. Contributes project management expertise to BeBOP.
• Fińskie Centrum Badań Technicznych VTTminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland - leading Finnish multitechnological research organization. Partner in BeBOP project.
• Francuski Narodowy Instytut Środowiska Przemysłowego i Ryzyka (INERIS)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024French National Institute for the Industrial Environment and Risks. Partner in BeBOP focusing on environmental and industrial risk assessment.
• ICODOSminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Partner in BeBOP project for methanol production technology development.
• Politechnika Mediolańska (Politecnico di Milano)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Milan Polytechnic - Italian technical university. Partner in BeBOP project with expertise in energy engineering technologies.
• Politechnika w Lappeenranta-Lahti (LUT University)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024LUT University in Finland - partner in BeBOP with expertise in energy technology and sustainability.
• UNI - Włoska Jednostka NormalizacyjnaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Italian National Standardization Body. Partner in BeBOP contributing to standardization aspects of methanol production from biomass.
• Wood ItalianaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Engineering and consulting company (part of Wood plc). Partner in BeBOP providing engineering expertise for methanol production technology.
• Uniwersytet Warszawski - Wydział BiologiicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024University of Warsaw Faculty of Biology - key partner in EcoReadyMasuria living lab project. Contributed biological and ecological expertise to climate adaptation modeling for food production systems.
• Lokalna Grupa Działania "Lider w EGO"coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Local Action Group "Lider w EGO" - partner in EcoReadyMasuria living lab, contributing local community engagement and rural development expertise in the Masuria region.
• Gospodarstwo Rolne Mirosław GontarcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Agricultural farm operated by Mirosław Gontar. Partner in EcoReadyMasuria project providing real-farm conditions for testing climate adaptation scenarios.
• Akademia Pedagogiki SpecjalnejminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2021Partner in SmartFood project developing socio-technological solutions for sustainable urban food production.
• BI Norweska Szkoła BiznesuminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2021Norwegian Business School - partner in SmartFood project contributing business and economics expertise to sustainable food production research.
• Norweski Instytut Badań Powietrza (NILU)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2021Norwegian Institute for Air Research - partner in SmartFood project contributing environmental research expertise.
• Politechnika KrakowskaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2021Cracow University of Technology - partner in SmartFood project.
• Zachodnionorweski Instytut Badawczy (NORSAS / Vestforsk)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2021Western Norway Research Institute - partner in SmartFood project.
• E3-MODELLINGminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2020Partner in NEWTRENDS project focused on new social trends in energy demand modeling.
• e-think Energy ResearchminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2020Austrian energy research institute - partner in NEWTRENDS project.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2020Leading German research organization - partner in NEWTRENDS project on energy demand modeling.
• Institute for European Energy and Climate Policy (IEECP)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2020Partner in NEWTRENDS project on new social trends in energy demand modeling.
• TEP EnergyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2020Swiss energy consulting firm - partner in NEWTRENDS project.
• TU Wien Energy Economics GroupminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2020Energy Economics Group at TU Vienna - partner in NEWTRENDS project.
• WiseEuropa - Fundacja Warszawski Instytut Studiów Ekonomicznych i EuropejskichminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2020Warsaw Institute for Economic and European Studies - partner in NEWTRENDS project on energy demand modeling.
• Pellets System Sp. z o.o.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2018Polish company specializing in pellet production systems. Partner in PROKOKO project developing innovative poultry bedding material.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Łukasiewicz Research Network: Poland's largest applied research network with institutes working on energy, environment, and biotechnology. Closest Polish peer; competes for the same NCBiR grants, ISO-certified services, and Horizon Europe consortia.
• SINTEF: Norway's largest independent research institute with energy, materials, and climate adaptation programs. Directly comparable as a Nordic counterpart working with EU consortia and Norwegian Funds, mirroring CBI's Norwegian SmartFood funding.
• TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research): Dutch applied research organization with similar biomass, energy transition, and circular economy programs. Comparable business model combining public-private R&D, EU grant participation, and applied science units across multiple domains.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI): German applied research organization partnered with CBI on the NEWTRENDS energy demand modeling project. Comparable as a publicly funded research institute that delivers commissioned R&D and policy advisory services to EU clients.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finland's multitechnological applied research organization and a BeBOP consortium partner. Directly comparable as an EU state-level contract research institute working on biomass, energy, and process technology with similar consortium-based funding model.

Emerging players

• Technische Universität Wien - Energy Economics Group: Austrian academic research group partnering with CBI on NEWTRENDS energy demand modeling. Comparable on EU energy transition research and consortium delivery, though academic rather than non-profit applied institute.
• Aalborg University: Danish technical university partnering with CBI on ACE-WATER. Comparable on water treatment and plasma technology research, and an EU grant consortium collaborator rather than a direct competitor.
• Institute for European Energy and Climate Policy (IEECP): Amsterdam-based climate and energy policy research NGO that partnered with CBI on the NEWTRENDS project. Comparable as a small specialized consultancy delivering EU policy research with similar funding model and geographic scope.
• LUT University (Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology): Finnish university specializing in energy technology and sustainability, BeBOP partner. Comparable on Power-to-X and biomass conversion research, with similar consortium-based EU funding exposure.

Broad incumbents

• Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA): Italian national research agency working on energy, environment, and bioeconomy. Comparable as a larger incumbent in the same policy and technology space, particularly relevant given multiple Italian partners in BeBOP and ACE-WATER.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/research-and-innovation-centre-pro-akademia

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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