CarboNcare

CarboNcare is a European research and innovation project developing a new approach to biological manufacturing for a circular carbon economy. Funded by the European Innovation Council Pathfinder programme, it brings together eight partners with expertise in synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, bioprocess design, sustainability assessment, and industrial innovation.

The project investigates how renewable methanol, produced using captured carbon dioxide and renewable electricity, can serve as a carbon source for fermentation. Its goal is to convert this methanol into valuable chemicals for applications including medicines, cosmetics, and food products, while reducing carbon losses compared with conventional production methods that often depend on agricultural feedstocks.

CarboNcare’s innovations include growth-coupled bioproduction, which links microbial growth with product formation to support productive cells and more stable processes. The project is also exploring continuous manufacturing systems designed for reliable, long-term operation. By connecting carbon capture, renewable methanol, and advanced biotechnology, CarboNcare aims to keep carbon in productive use for longer and contribute to a future in which emissions from products can be captured and reused as feedstock.