Industrial biotechnology – from microorganism to industrial production
Transitioning a promising microorganism or bioprocess from laboratory scale to industrial production is one of the riskiest phases in biotechnological development. Many projects get stuck at this stage, with processes that work on a small scale becoming unstable, costly, or impossible to validate at larger volumes.
Without the right expertise and infrastructure for process development, projects can become mired in years of trial and error, resulting in increased costs and reduced competitiveness, while competitors with access to industrial pilot-scale capacity succeed in commercialising their solutions first.
Our offering covers the entire value chain, from designing advanced microorganisms to developing and upscaling robust bioprocesses in a food-grade environment, to efficiently and sustainably transforming renewable raw materials into high-value products.
RISE is one of the few organisations in Europe that combines strain development with industrial, food-grade pilot-scale capacity – from 1 millilitre to 10 m³ – all under one roof.
Strain development
Using the latest technologies in synthetic biology, high throughput screening and adaptive laboratory evolution, we design and optimise microorganisms tailored to your specific production needs. Our strain development offering includes:
- Rapid selection and engineering of conventional and unconventional microorganisms
- Improved metabolic capacity, product yield and stress tolerance
- Customised product profiles for increased purity, stability and functionality
- Shorter development time and lower costs through automated cultivation and modular genetic tools
With our methodology, technical and regulatory barriers can be overcome and new opportunities opened up for bio-based chemicals, enzymes, food ingredients and more.
Process development and scale-up
We offer process development from lab-scale optimisation to pilot production with a focus on efficient scale-up. Our services include:
- Feedstock screening and strategic road-mapping to select optimal raw materials based on composition, availability, cost and sustainability
- Pretreatment (mechanical, chemical, biological, thermal) to maximise biomass conversion
- Industrial fermentation expertise from micro-scale bioreactors to food-grade pilot plants with reactors up to 10 m³
- Advanced downstream processing such as centrifugation, ultrafiltration, homogenisation and drying to optimise product recovery and purification
- Data-driven process control and validation to ensure reproducibility, robustness and cost efficiency
- Technoeconomic and sustainability assessments are available as part of our process development to support cost-efficient, scalable, and environmentally sound solutions.
Collaborating closely with RISE's multidisciplinary teams facilitates risk mitigation during upscaling, optimisation of yields and a more expeditious time to market for products such as sustainable food ingredients, animal feed, biofuels and biochemicals.
How collaboration works
A collaboration with RISE typically starts with an initial, no-obligation meeting. During this meeting, our experts will work with you to assess your needs. As you know your business best, we work together to identify the most effective way to take your innovation forward.
Book an initial consultation about your bioprocess
Describe your challenge, and our team of experts will get back to you with suggestions for next steps.
Virtual tour of the Bioeconomy Arena pilot hall in Örnsköldsvik
FAQ
What does strain development involve in industrial biotechnology?
Strain development involves designing and optimising microorganisms for specific production requirements, using synthetic biology, high-throughput screening and adaptive evolution. RISE works with both conventional and unconventional microorganisms to improve metabolic capacity, product yield and stress tolerance.
How does the upscaling of a bioprocess from the laboratory to pilot production take place?
RISE offers multi-stage process development: feedstock screening, biomass pre-treatment, industrial fermentation in bioreactors of up to 10 cubic metres, and advanced downstream processing. The entire process takes place in a food-grade environment to ensure reproducibility and cost-effectiveness.
What types of products can be developed using RISE’s industrial biotechnology offering?
RISE helps companies develop bio-based food ingredients, animal feed, biofuels, biochemicals and enzymes from renewable raw materials. The offering covers the entire chain, from microorganism design to scalable bioprocesses.
Why should a company collaborate with RISE on process development in biotechnology?
RISE combines expertise in strain development with full-scale process development, which reduces technical and regulatory risks during upscaling. Through techno-economic analyses and life-cycle assessments, RISE can also support decisions regarding cost-effectiveness and scalability early in the development process.
