URD ABI - AgroParisTech
EMEA
Pomacle
,
France
Scaleup
FOUNDED
2012
HEADCOUNT
21-100
FUNDING
Other
Keywords:
CRO, fermentation, biocatalysis, lipids, biosurfactants, organic_acids, phenolics, crop_protection, flavors, omega3
BUSINESS
AgroParisTech's R&D unit specializing in industrial agro-biotechnologies for valorization of biomass into bio-based chemicals and materials. Located at the Pomacle-Bazancourt biorefinery. Established in 2012 (as Chaire ABI, renamed URD ABI in 2019) at the Centre Europeen de Biotechnologie et de Bioeconomie (CEBB) within the Pomacle-Bazancourt biorefinery complex near Reims, France. URD ABI is a research and development unit of AgroParisTech, labeled by the French Ministry of Agriculture, covering TRL 1 to 4. The unit has expertise in green chemistry, biotechnology, fermentation (submerged and solid-state), biocatalysis, enzymology, process engineering, and downstream processing (extraction, purification). In 2023, URD ABI launched Biotech'InnLab, an incubator for biotech and green chemistry startups.
BIOTECH INVOLVEMENT
URD ABI's research spans whole-cell fermentation, biocatalysis, and chemo-enzymatic processes for producing high-value bio-based molecules from agro-resources and biorefinery byproducts. Target products include antimicrobials, antioxidants, anti-UV agents, surfactants, flavoring agents, organic acids, phenolic platform molecules, biopolymers, and biocontrol agents. The unit also works on solid-state fermentation, oleaginous microorganism co-cultivation for omega-3/6 production, and lignin valorization.
TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM
biocatalysis; fermentation; process engineering; green chemistry
PRIMARY PRODUCTS
R&D services; bioprocess development; patents for bio-based building blocks and polymers