Regulations and bureaucracy within the European Union can be a big burden when introducing enzyme-based products to the market. One of the world’s largest enzyme producers think focus should be on potential risks instead of hazards in the regulatory framework. This might help projects like the recently finished OXIPRO.     The Horizon EU funded project OXIPRO is a success story. Several new industrially relevant oxidoreductases, a type of enzymes that can replace fossil-based chemicals in environmentally friendly consumer products,...

After four years of collaboration, innovation, and stakeholder dialogue, the OXIPRO project has come to a close — leaving behind a powerful legacy that demonstrates the potential of enzyme technologies to transform everyday products into greener, safer, and more sustainable solutions.   From lab bench to policy table, OXIPRO has made measurable strides in enzyme discovery, process development, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory advocacy. The project focused on oxidoreductases—an underexplored class of enzymes with high potential for environmentally friendly applications in...

OXIPRO’s early career researcher Ruite Xiang (University of Barcelona) recently presented his poster on Genetic algorithm-based multiobjective optimization for enzyme engineering at NextgenBiocat, a dynamic symposium in Milan, Italy. The event, held from May 8th–9th, 2025, brought together young researchers and seasoned experts in the field of enzyme engineering.   NextgenBiocat is a symposium organized by young researchers for young researchers, fostering an environment where early career researchers (ECRs) can share their work, exchange ideas, and build future collaborations. “It...

The OXIPRO partners all agree that that real change starts with real conversations. That’s why we stepped out of the lab and onto the streets, parks, and campuses of Europe with our open-air campaigns. These lively, informal events were designed to meet people where they are, turning busy public spaces into pop-up hubs of science, sustainability, and curiosity.   What Are Open-Air Campaigns? Open-air campaigns are interactive awareness events set up in outdoor spots like city squares and university grounds....

The OXIPRO consortium gathered in Bergen, Norway, from 13th –15th May 2025, for its final meeting, hosted by the Project Coordinator NORCE. This event marked the culmination of four years of collaborative research in enzyme innovation, supported by stakeholder engagement and cross-sector collaboration. It provided an opportunity to take stock of what the project has achieved, assess its broader significance, and define how its results will carry forward beyond the four-year funding period.   Kick-starting Engagement: Introducing OXIPRO’s Accessible Computational...

  Leitat is pleased to announce the development of a novel enzyme screening platform that represents a significant advancement over commercially available multiwell plates, such as those produced by NUNC®, COSTAR®, and CORNING®.   This newly designed bioreactor introduces several key improvements: It requires less reagent volume while using the same type of enzyme, leading to more cost-efficient and environmentally sustainable testing. The bioreactor is designed for multiple uses, capable of being reused for over ten cycles. This is achievable...

Integrating Enzyme Technologies into EU Policy Frameworks   A new policy brief, Integrating Enzyme Technologies into EU Policy Frameworks, has been published and is now available on Zenodo (https://zenodo.org/records/15148731). Drawing insights from the FNR-16 projects — EnXylaScope, FuturEnzyme, OXIPRO, and RadicalZ — alongside extensive stakeholder and consumer surveys, the brief sets out a clear roadmap for leveraging enzyme innovations to drive Europe’s green and digital transition.   Enzyme technologies are revolutionising industries by providing sustainable, efficient, and non-toxic alternatives to...

Researchers from NORCE Norwegian Research Centre and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland represented the OXIPRO.EU project at the SSbD24 conference from November 10-15, 2024 in Monte Verità, Switzerland. This annual event, which was organized by ETH Zürich, University of Zurich, and EMPA- Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, brought together experts from relevant and diverse fields who are working around the Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) topic.   SSbD is a scientific-technical framework developed by the European Commission´s Joint Research...

Revolutionary Bioprocess Reduces Chemical Use and Energy Consumption, Paving the Way for Greener Textile Manufacturing By Marina Guillén Montalbán The OXIPRO project has developed an innovative biocatalytic process that enhances the sustainability of cotton bleaching, a critical step in textile manufacturing. This breakthrough biobleaching process utilizes carbohydrate-rich wastewaters generated during cotton processing to produce hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) using a carbohydrate oxidase. The hydrogen peroxide-rich wastewater is then employed for bleaching cotton, significantly improving the efficiency and environmental footprint of the...

SB Science Management (SBSM) is a vital partner in the OXIPRO project, bringing decades of expertise in strategic project planning, funding acquisition, and research management. Based in Berlin, Germany, SBSM supports researchers and innovators from all disciplines and regions in navigating the complex world of national and European public funding.   In OXIPRO, SBSM plays a key role by: Leading Work Package 1 to build and engage the OXIPRO stakeholder community through co-creation activities and capacity building. Supporting the environmental...

OXIPRO partners, alongside our sister projects RadicalZ, FuturEnzyme and EnXylaScope invite YOU to join researchers, policymakers, and industry experts to explore the future of enzyme innovation and sustainability in these events.   📅 April 8th – World Café | 🌍 Open discussions on sustainability and innovation 📅 April 9th – Info Day | 🧬 Dive into cutting-edge enzyme research and industry trends 📅 April 10th – Spring School | 📚 Hands-on learning for PhD students & postdocs   Whether you’re...

In the ongoing quest for sustainable solutions, the EC-funded project OXIPRO has made a ground-breaking leap in laundry hygiene. By harnessing the power of enzymes, OXIPRO partners have developed an innovative method that aims to sanitize fabrics effectively without relying on traditional chemical disinfectants. This eco-friendly approach not only promises to revolutionize household laundry but also offers a glimpse into the future of greener cleaning solutions. The Problem with Conventional Laundry Detergents Traditional laundry detergents rely on a mix of...