Project funded by the National Centre for Research and Development under the Smart Growth Operational Programme 2014–2020
Priority Axis IV: Increasing the Scientific and Research Potential
Action 4.1: Research and Development
Sub-action 4.1.4: “Applied Projects”
Total project value: PLN 6,527,323.75 (including PLN 1,875,396.81 in own contribution)
Total funding: PLN 4,696,926.94
Project implementation period: 01/08/2018 – 31/07/2021
Principal Investigator: Dr. Tomasz Lipiński
Consortium:
Łukasiewicz – PORT Polish Center for Technology Development – Consortium Leader
Grupa Azoty Zakłady Azotowe “Puławy” S.A.
The goal of the project is to obtain bio-succinic acid (BSA) through high-yield, “clean” biocatalysis using Enterobacter bacteria. This process also enables the use of renewable and waste feedstocks that have no application in other industrial sectors.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, succinic acid is considered a biotransformation product of strategic importance for the biotechnology and chemical industries. Currently, it is primarily derived from fossil fuels, but it can be produced using environmentally friendly “green chemistry” methods.
The commercial value of bio-succinic acid and the number of its potential applications in the chemical industry continue to grow. However, despite intensive research, the production efficiency of bio-succinic acid remains insufficient, and the limitations of existing methods significantly reduce profitability.
The aim of the project is to develop a proprietary technology for producing bio-succinic acid based on promising research results on the Enterobacter sp. LU1 strain. Advantages of this strain and related strains include:
the ability to utilize waste feedstocks,
low production costs,
inexpensive cultivation, and
low downstream purification costs.
During the industrial research phase, the natural metabolic pathways of Enterobacter bacteria will be modified using genetic engineering. Bio-succinic acid production will then be validated through flux analysis.
In the development phase, production and scale-up to a 100-liter bioreactor will be optimized using the most efficient strain.
Potential recipients of bio-succinic acid include Grupa Azoty Puławy and the broader Polish chemical industry. Developing a proprietary biosynthesis technology for succinic acid is a strategic objective that will allow Grupa Azoty Puławy to join the leading global players in biochemical production.
