Industry

BiOrbic is focused on finding commercially relevant solutions for your industry need. We work closely with the Technology Transfer Offices of each of our partner institutions to capture cutting edge innovation and invention and map out routes for commercialisation. To date the Centre has filled five patents and formed two spin out companies.

RESEARCH SUCCESSES WHY US NOVA MENTIS CARBON HARVESTERS

RESEARCH SUCCESSES

  • Farm Zero C: Achieving Ireland’s 2030 agricultural emissions reduction target 6 years early
  • Biological inputs to improve N use efficiency, N fixation, and soil quality
  • Novel grass biorefinery to maximise incomes while reducing emissions
  • Maximising the amount of times bioplastics can be recycled
  • Pre-processing technology to increase biogas yields by 30%
  • Production of high value nutritional and biomedical compounds
  • Carbon neutral fuel: home heating, transport, aviation & shipping
  • Carbon neutral bio-based adhesives and glues, textile coatings and colourants, cosmetics, aromas and flavours, plasticisers, bio-based detergents and paints

why biorbic

Many leading Irish and international companies choose BiOrbic. Whether you are a micro SME, or a large multi-billion euro company with complex product offerings across multiple areas, as Ireland’s National Bioeconomy Research Centre, we understand the headwinds and challenges you face. At BiOrbic, we are experts in providing solutions to the technical complexities and operational challenges in your business. Our researchers are experts in bio-based technologies and markets across numerous bioeconomy sectors (explore our full research programme below). And by tapping into a talent pool of over 200 researchers worldwide, we can partner with you to put you ahead of the game.

Research programme

CASE STUDY: NOVA MENTIS

Nova Mentis is a UCD-BiOrbic start up producing hydroxytyrosol, a potent antioxidant manufactured via a patented biotechnological process. The company was founded by Kevin O’ Connor, BiOrbic director, and Enrico Altieri, an entrepreneur.

Hydroxytyrosol, also named as HT, is a powerful bioactive phytochemical compound found naturally in olives and olive leaves, that scavenges free radicals, and brings multiple health benefits reported in more than 800 scientific publications. In 2011 European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) statement supported HT health claims for cardio-protection through its antioxidant activity.

The Unique Selling Point (USP) of Nova Mentis’ hydroxytyrosol is its consistency, high purity and potency that overcomes the low purity, batch-to-batch and seasonable variability of olive and olive leaf extractions. 

The biotechnological process employed by Nova Mentis is water based and does not employ heavy metals which are used in chemical production routes. Nova Mentis is targeting the Food, supplement (nutraceutical) and cosmetics markets.Nova Mentis’ Hydroxytyrosol is the highest purity (≥ 99%), most potent hydroxytyrosol available today in commercial quantities. It’s antioxidant activity brings several health benefits including but not limited to reduced cholesterol and heart health, neuroprotection and brain health, and UV protection and skin health.

CASE STUDY: CARBON HARVESTERS

Carbon Harvesters is an ag-tech start-up, based in Dublin, that spun out from the BiOrbic flagship project Farm Zero C in 2022.

The aim of this start-up is to promote the decarbonisation of the dairy industry by empowering farmers on their sustainability journey.

Carbon Harvesters monitors dairy farms’ emissions, promotes the implementation of economic climate mitigation strategies, and certifies the verified emissions reductions to monetise those as market premiums or through the carbon offsets market – increasing the resilience of rural communities.

This platform focuses on taking out the burden of monitoring from the farmer. In addition, the user interface and user experience are built using a decision-making architecture to provide farmers with key insights and information that they require for transitioning to a more sustainable model.

about us

Nuritas and BiOrbic (formerly SFI BEACON Bioeconomy Research Centre) partner to investigate oral bioavailability.

BiOrbic works with our industry partners and others to create new products, processes and markets from renewable biological resources and associated waste streams.

Our work with companies allows us to build dedicated teams to provide new technological processes and bespoke solutions to reduce overall costs and increase the bottom line.

Whether you are an Irish or global player, our successful track record of translating high tech research and innovation into on-the ground implementation. We are here as your sustainability research partner.

Client Testimonials

BiOrbic has enabled us to carry out valuable targeted research that we did not have the resources or expertise to do in house. We like the BiOrbic approach, which is very practical, rational and always done with an eye to commercial realities. The Farm Zero C story has been a remarkable journey and the evolution of that project has been a real beacon for the dairy industry and agriculture in general.

It wouldn’t have been possible without the immense diligence and commitment displayed by Kevin and the team. We are delighted to be an industry partner as the centre aligns with our circular bioeconomy ambitions and sustainability values.

Enda Buckley

Carbery

At Adesco, we work to enable and empower the feed and grain industry to realisea more sustainable and profitable future.

Our research partnership with BiOrbic and UCD continues to deepen our understanding of the environmental, nutritional and economic benefits of using Adesco-treated grain and beans in ruminant and monogastric diets. These research learnings will help us grow market demand in Ireland, and in turn, reduce the total carbon footprint of meat produced here. Our ongoing collaboration with BiOrbic/UCD is critical to our business strategy and our vision for sustainable food production in Ireland.

Jack O’Hare

Adesco

Working with BiOrbic has allowed Nuritas to explore and expand new areas of research that will greatly impact the growth of the company. Bioavailability of peptides in humans is still missing piece of evidence not only for claim substantiation but for better understanding of feasibility of peptide as potential drugs.

This is very valuable research that the centre has enabled us to carry out, since we did not have the resources or expertise to do in house. Through this platform we have developed new strategic relationships that will allow Nuritas to grow faster and contribute more to the pool of knowledge. We are delighted to be an industry partner as the centre aligns with our circular economy goals and sustainability values.”

Sanja Trajkovic

Nuritas

We have been working with BiOrbic since 2021 on numerous research and development projects.

The access to expertise and potential collaborators has been highly valuable to us as a business. The results generated from these projects have allowed us to grow our business in a positive direction and led us into new innovation potential.

Being part of the bioeconomy network in Ireland is really important to us and our future vision for Dúlra. We are looking forward to the next chapter with BiOrbic.


Collaborator

Dulra Marine

Partner Companies

 Collaborative Project Criteria

We will work with you to provide a collaborative project to boost your company’s sustainability. All BiOrbic collaborative projects with our partners are underpinned by research excellence. Together, we can provide:

OPTIMISING RESOURCE USAGE

Biotechnology interventions to enable access to biomass in waste and side streams and convert them to higher value compounds and products.

WASTE REDUCTION & BOOSTING SUSTAINABILITY

Direct interventions to reduce and repurpose waste streams for the production of food, feed, fibre and fuel, to reduce emissions and boost the sustainability profile of your business.

start a project

Get in touch today to discuss collaborative opportunities.