Proteins and peptides for industry
Proteins, as biobased and environmentally friendly products, are used in many industries, e.g., in food and beverage industry, in cosmetics and detergents, in the chemicals industry and many more. The range of potential markets is huge, however, the tailored production of proteins for industrial purposes has its technical challenges. To manage these challenges, we combine technologies and expertise from diverse disciplines, such as molecular biology, protein-engineering and synthetic biology.

Proteins, Peptides & Enzymes
Proteins are ubiquitous biological macromolecules that are made of long, linked chains of amino acids which are linked by peptide bonds. Short amino acid chains are called peptides. Proteins serve all living organisms as tools and materials for executing different tasks. Some proteins, called enzymes, catalyze chemical reactions by lowering their activation energy. In contrast to chemical catalysis, some enzymes are stereo-specific and, hence, allow the evolution of only one stereoisomeric bond out of two or more possible bonds. From this reaction, only one possible product configuration is established, which is entirely biodegradable, and which does not produce byproducts. Through this process, less resources are required for the purification of the products and disposal of enzymes, leading to a decreased environmental impact. Not only is the environmental impact lowered, but bioconversion is often more efficient and more cost-effective, compared to chemical procedures. In addition, a great number of enzymes is already bed down in industrial applications.
Networks
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Advanced Proteins
We can find proteins anywhere in nature in abundance. This class of molecules has many different functions, for instance as catalysts,…
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Technofunctional Proteins — TeFuProt
The TeFuProt project partners intend to isolate proteins from agricultural residual plant materials, especially from canola oil production.…
News
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After four years of impactful collaboration, the European project BIOMAC – European Sustainable BIO-based nanoMAterials Community is concluding its EU-funded phase. With over €14 million in support…
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European Bioplastics published a paper on the Industrial use of agricultural materials as feedstock for biobased plastics.
18.06.2025NewsThe transition to a bio-based economy is crucial for achieving the EU’s goal of climate neutrality by 2050. Bioplastics, which can be bio-based, biodegradable, or both, play a key role by replacing…
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In the KIOptiPack innovation lab, researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV are working with 51 partners from industry and the research sector to develop…
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Fraunhofer researchers have succeeded in developing sustainable new seals that are free from environmentally harmful substances like PFAS and suitable for water-based lubricants.
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Renewable Materials Conference 2025: Nominees for the Innovation Award & Final Programme Unveiled
02.06.2025NewsLatest update on the world’s largest conference on innovative and renewable chemicals and materials, fossil-free plastics and related policies from 22 – 24 September 2025 in Siegburg/Cologne (Germany)
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Milestone in diaper recycling: NMI succeeds in degrading cellulose in composite materials
19.05.2025NewsPaper, glass, plastic, even concrete: many materials are now recycled. For diapers, on the other hand, this is still almost impossible.
Events
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27. — 28 June 2022 | Munich
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18. ‑19 May 2022 | Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina Halle (Saale)
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22th — 23th February 2023 I Düsseldorf