PROMICON

What PROMICON does

PROMICON was an EU Horizon 2020 research consortium (€6 million grant, grant agreement No 101000733, 2021-2025) coordinated by the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) in Leipzig. The project built biotechnological tools and platforms for understanding and engineering microbial consortia to produce biopolymers (PHA/PHB), energy carriers (hydrogen, butanol), drop-in feedstocks (e.g., sucrose from engineered Synechococcus SBG363), and antimicrobial molecules (PHACOS). Core technology infrastructure comprised an online microbial analysis platform using OC-300 flow cytometry, a hyperspectral monitoring system for biomass and PHB quantification, a multi-omics analysis platform (proteomics, metabolomics, stable isotope labelling), and a hybrid modelling platform based on physics-informed neural networks (PINN). Novel reactor designs included a multi-chamber photobioreactor with ceramic membranes and a gas-tight capillary biofilm reactor for hydrogen production.

The consortium brought together 10 partner institutions across 7 European countries (Germany, Sweden, Portugal, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, UK), with an Innovation Board of senior industry figures from BASF, Stripe Climate/Frontier, MojiaBio, and the International Association for Hydrogen Energy providing exploitation guidance. Notable technical outcomes included up to 70% (g/g CDW) PHACOS accumulation in engineered Pseudomonas putida and an 80-fold increase in acetate production in engineered Synechocystis PCC 6803. Outputs included 30+ peer-reviewed publications, 5 policy briefs supporting EU Bioeconomy Strategy, 11 graphical summaries, and 3 Innovation Workshops. Project coordination was led by Dr. Jens O. Krömer with Dr. Minmin Pan as Scientific Project Manager and Nikol Yovcheva at Pensoft leading science communication.

The business model was grant-based rather than commercial. PROMICON did not sell products; funding flowed from EU Horizon 2020 through the coordinator (UFZ) to partners to support research, dissemination, and exploitation activities. Commercialisation intent was operationalised through Innovation Workshops (organised by Isle Utilities), exploitation roadmaps, and IP filings (the granted Synechococcus SBG363 patent and a pending PHACOS application). The project officially concluded on 31 May 2025; the public website will remain available for at least five years. Net commercial revenue, customer counts, and pricing model are not applicable to this entity.

Name

PROMICON

Legal name

PROMICON

Website

https://promicon.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Closed

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

PROMICON was an EU Horizon 2020 research consortium (€6M, 2021-2025) that developed analytical tools, hybrid modelling platforms, and novel reactor designs for engineering microbial consortia producing biopolymers, energy carriers, and antimicrobials. The project concluded May 31, 2025.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Biotechnology Research

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodegradable Polymers & Resins (PLA, PHA, PBS, PBAT) (IMAEAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bio-Based & Biodegradable Compounds (PLA/PHA/Starch Blends) (IMANABAF), Bioplastics Compounding & Masterbatch (bio-based additives, colorants, fillers) (IMANANAB)

Keywords

• Microbial biotechnology research
• Synthetic microbial consortia
• Biopolymer production research
• Industrial biotechnology platforms
• Bioeconomy research project

Headquarters

HQ city

Leipzig

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. EU Horizon 2020 Research Funding: PROMICON received €6 million funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101000733. This covers research activities from 2021-2025.
2. Innovation Exploitation Services: Project partners (particularly Isle Utilities) develop exploitation strategies, business models, and roadmaps for commercializing project innovations post-project.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

PROMICON is an EU-funded research project (2021-2025) that develops biotechnological production platforms using engineered natural and synthetic microbial consortia. It produces research methodologies, analytical technology platforms (online flow cytometry, hyperspectral monitoring, multi-omics, hybrid AI modelling), novel bioreactor designs, and engineered microbial strains for sustainable biotechnological production of biopolymers (PHA, PHB), energy carriers (biohydrogen, butanol), drop-in feedstocks, pigments, and antimicrobial molecules (PHACOS).

Product overview

PROMICON is an EU Horizon 2020 research project (€6 million, 2021-2025, GA No. 101000733) that developed biotechnological tools and platforms for understanding and engineering microbial consortia. The project produced research outputs including methodologies, software tools (SBML2HYB, hybrid modeling platform, flow cytometry methods), and scientific publications rather than commercial products. Key technology platforms include: online flow cytometry analysis platform (with OC-300 automation), hyperspectral monitoring system, microbial omics analysis platform, and hybrid modeling platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Online Microbial Analysis Platform (flow cytometry + OC-300 automation) Hyperspectral Monitoring System Microbial Omics Analysis Platform Hybrid Modelling Platform (PINN with SBML2HYB) Multi-Chamber Photobioreactor Capillary Biofilm Reactor Online Flow Cytometry Technology (onCyt automation) Engineered Synechococcus SBG363 (sucrose overproducer strain) Engineered Pseudomonas putida for PHACOS production Engineered Synechocystis PCC 6803 (high acetate) Research-grade analytical platform using automated flow cytometry and the OC-300 automation system with DAPI staining for real-time quantification and identification of cell concentrations and heterogeneous cell states in microbial consortia. Developed for PROMICON research; not sold commercially. Research platform enabling quantification of biomass, pigment, and PHB (polyhydroxybutyrate) in real samples, including single-cell hyperspectral imaging analysis. Developed for PROMICON research; not sold commercially. Comprehensive multi-omics research platform combining proteomics, metabolomics, and stable isotope labelling techniques for understanding individuals within complex microbial consortia, applied to pure cultures, co-cultures, and natural consortia. Developed for PROMICON research; not sold commercially. Physics-informed neural network (PINN) modelling platform using adaptive moment estimation for dynamic modelling and control of natural microbiomes, with an SBML2HYB Python interface combining first-principles biology with deep neural networks. Developed for PROMICON research; not sold commercially. Tailored compartmentalised photobioreactor using ceramic membranes for controlled metabolite diffusion, enabling co-cultivation of heterotrophic and autotrophic organisms. Developed for PROMICON research; not sold commercially. Gas-tight capillary bioreactor designed to minimise product loss (e.g., H2), with a cell cytometry-based method for real-time biomass composition assessment. Developed for PROMICON research; not sold commercially. Proprietary automation technology from onCyt Microbiology AG (licensed for use within the consortium) enabling laser-based flow cytometry devices that deliver high-resolution time-series data for microbial monitoring in industrial processes. Developed by onCyt; used within PROMICON research. Engineered sucrose overproducer strain of Synechococcus (Patent WO 2021/148693 A1) used as the 'Farmer' strain providing high levels of sucrose from CO2 and light as feedstock for heterotrophic modules in the synthetic consortium. Developed for PROMICON research. Engineered Pseudomonas putida biocatalyst (patent pending) producing functionalised PHA (PHACOS) with antimicrobial activity against pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, from sucrose and 6-ATH, with up to 70% (g/g CDW) PHACOS accumulation. Developed for PROMICON research. Engineered Synechocystis PCC 6803 strain demonstrating an 80-fold increase in acetate production, used within the PROMICON synthetic consortium for energy carrier and feedstock production. Developed for PROMICON research.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 70% (g/g CDW) PHACOS accumulation in engineered Pseudomonas putida
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and key.

• Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Project coordinator leading Systems Biotechnology group. Hosts project coordination office and provides expertise in quantitative physiology, metabolic modelling, and bio-electrochemistry. Led by Dr. Jens O. Krömer as Project Coordinator.
• Uppsala UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research university established in 1477 with high international standing. Contributes expertise in cyanobacteria research and photosynthetic systems.
• Nova University Lisbon (NOVA.id)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate non-profit research organisation dedicated to R&D and Innovation, recognised by Portuguese National System of Science and Technology.
• Polytechnic University of Catalonia BarcelonaTech (UPC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading technical university in Europe. GEMMA research group (founded 2005) focuses on Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, contributing expertise in natural microbiomes and cyanobacteria.
• AIMEN Technology CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit association of 83 companies providing technological support to 500+ companies in metallurgy, automotive, environment, chemicals, and other industrial sectors.
• Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpain's largest public research institution, ranked third among Europe's largest research organisations. 11,000+ employees across 123 institutes. Contributes expertise in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology through various institutes.
• Pensoft PublisherscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent academic publishing company known for novel publishing tools and methods. Handles science communication, website development, and dissemination activities for the project.
• onCyt Microbiology AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationSwiss-based tech company founded in 2017 as Eawag spin-off. Provides cutting-edge online flow cytometry platform for monitoring microbiome dynamics. Developed proprietary automation technology for laser-based flow cytometry devices.
• Isle UtilitiescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGlobal independent technology and innovation consultancy (UK and Netherlands). Organises Innovation Workshops, develops exploitation strategies and business models, and identifies market opportunities to accelerate market uptake of innovations.
• ADM BiopoliscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading biotechnology company based in Valencia (Spain) owned by CSIC and ADM Wild Valencia. Core competencies in isolation, selection, design, and production of microorganisms for agri-food, feed, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries.
• BASF (Innovation Board Member)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Andrea Herold, Director of Industrial Biotechnology Research, provides guidance as Innovation Board member. Contributes expertise in amino acid production, microbial strain development, and fermentation products.
• Stripe Climate / Frontier (Innovation Board Member)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Frauke Kracke, Science Lead at Stripe Climate and Frontier (>1B advance market commitment for CO2 removal), provides expertise in carbon removal technologies and sustainable biomanufacturing.
• International Association for Hydrogen Energy (Innovation Board Member)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. Bruno Pollet, President of Green Hydrogen Division and world-leading hydrogen expert, Fellow of Royal Society of Chemistry. Provides strategic guidance on hydrogen energy applications.
• MojiaBio (Innovation Board Member)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Ramon Gonzalez, Chief Scientific Officer and President-Elect of Society for Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology. Former ARPA-E Program Director, expert in metabolic engineering and biomanufacturing.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@PROMICON
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/promiconh2020

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 PROMICON