AFYREN announced that it confirms its innovative approach and identifies the biomass families that will underpin its industrial expansion. The announcement comes as the company hit the milestone of 2 million hours of fermentation in its R&D lab. A unique technology based on biomimicry: Based on a decade of research in chemistry and biology and protected worldwide by 10 patent families, the AFYNERIE® process converts a wide range of organic raw materials into bio-based molecules using natural, non-genetically modified micro-organisms. Inspired by living organisms and entirely biomimetic, the process reproduces on an industrial scale the fermentation that has been around for millions of years in natural ecosystems and on which, for example, the mechanization process, used for energy production, is based.

AFYREN's expertise lies in controlling the transformation of the bio-based raw material to promote the production of carboxylic acids. The acids are extracted then processed through separation and purification stages to obtain products that meet industry specifications and current regulations. This quality is at the heart of the 'drop-in' approach, which enables direct replacement of petro-based molecules by bio-based molecules in its clients' existing production process.

The end products are commonly found for example in food products or cosmetics, opening up markets that go well beyond those offered by mechanization. 60 biomass families identified and available to support AFYREN's international development and secure its supply of raw materials. On the strength of its successful experience in valorizing by-products from the sugar industry at the AFYREN NEOXY plant in France, AFYREN is continuing its work to identify new sources of raw materials.

Since the company was founded, AFYREN's R&D teams, made up of chemists and biologists, have carried out tests on more than 300 potential raw materials made available by the players and partners in the agri-food and farming industries around the world. These tests have enabled AFYREN to qualify 60 families of biomass (agricultural by-products, by-products of the food industry, etc.) that can be transformed into 100% bio-based molecules on an industrial scale. The recent partnership signed with SUEZ even paves the way for the recovery of household organic waste.

This work proves that a wide range of organic raw materials can be upcycled in this way, even though they were originally considered to be of little use. This work, carried out on samples from all over the world, is crucial for international development at AFYREN, whose strategy is based on short supply chains with regional sourcing. Innovation fully dedicated to the development of new circular value chains: AFYREN's innovation approach is based on three strategic pillars.

Each project must aim to improve processes, support international expansion by exploring new biomass families, or contribute to the development of innovative products and derivatives. For this work, partnerships are often the preferred option. Within this framework, R&D is working in particular on perfecting processes to optimize yields and make AFYREN's industrial solution more competitive.

Working closely with the business development team, the R&D teams are also trying to expand the company?s portfolio of acids and their derivatives. The acids produced by AFYREN are platform molecules which, thanks to additional green chemistry steps (esterification, hydrogenation, etc.) can be transformed into derivatives and new products. AFYREN's innovation portfolio currently comprises around ten projects aimed at developing partnerships for new products and circular value chains.

It follows an eco-design rationale, incorporating corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance criteria such as carbon footprint, energy mix or the nature of raw materials and their transport.