ECOBIOMASS – H2020
LEV2050 has developed ECO-BIOMASS, the only solution in the wine industry to produce customized wines efficiently using selected native microorganisms. ECO-BIOMASS allows to select the optimal microorganisms of each vineyard and reproduce them in patented bioreactors while feeding them with specifically designed nutrients. This process represents an absolute innovation in the sector since there is no other company that offers this type of product.
The results of the feasibility study carried out within the framework of Phase 1 of the SME Instrument, confirmed that ECO-BIOMASS allows a significant differentiation of the wineries betting on autochthonous microorganisms and eco-sustainability. This study, where the potential of the ECO-BIOMASS project is reflected, defines the most appropriate business model and marketing plan for the international commercialization of the products and services offered by LEV2050. One of the objectives will be to carry out tests in a limited number of relevant wineries, so that they can act as prescribers of the work of LEV2050 in their country of origin. Similarly, prospection will take place in the target markets in order to find the right distributors for this innovative offer. Finally, funds will be allocated for marketing as well as for communication scaling up in different media specialized in the oenological microbiology industry.
This Project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 881239
Being unique is not expensive, the time is now
Ambition
The challenge for wineries today is to produce distinctive high quality wines through an efficient production process. LEV2050 has developed “ECO-BIOMASS”, a global solution to the current problem of wineries, allowing them to produce high quality wines performed by groups of selected indigenous microorganisms from their best vineyards, assuring a reliable and productive process, by means of in situ biomass production in specific bioreactors and with naturally formulated nutrients.
Problem
Homogenization
Low efficiency
Proposed solution
Terroir
High productivity
Objetive
Introduction of ECOBIOMASS in the wine production reference markets in Europe (Spain, France, Italy and Portugal) and South America (Chile and Argentine), through market demonstration, product optimization, commercialization scaling up and communication and dissemination activities.
- Market demonstration
- Product optimisation
- Commercialisation scaling up
- Reference markets
France, Portugal, Italy, Chile, Argentine- USERS
DO Wineries - STAKEHOLDERS
Gurús, Wine supervisory Councils, final costumer
- USERS
- Reference markets
- Communication and dissemination
Advantages
Related to selection
Wine quality
Related to reactors
Automation
Efficiency
Versatility
Traceability
Related to nutrients
Natural ingredients
ECOBIOMASS innovative solution satisfies wineries demands throughout the combination of three concepts:
(1) The selection of the best indigenous microorganisms from the vineyard, through a standardized and validated methodology achieved after years of experience by LEV2050 technical staff. The whole process includes a genetic study, isolation and test of the produced wine and aims to obtain a high quality wine, since microorganisms producing the desired aromas are specifically selected for each winery resulting in unique wines, with a seal of differentiation, which is the objective of Designation of Origin wineries.
(2) Bioreactors offered by LEV2050 represent an innovative solution since they overcome bioreactors in the market regarding automatization, versatility and efficiency. Currently, LEV2050 has three patents for different bioreactors, including one for yeasts, one for yeasts and bacteria, and one for sparkling wines production.
(3) LEV2050 has also developed specific nutrients for the selected microorganisms, based i lements present in their environment. The formulation of these culture media is made of microorganism lysates and enables increasing the growing rate in 10 times respect to the use of sugar or other unspecific nutrients.
Moreover, ECOBIOMASS price is positioned lower than similarly equipped bioreactors, thanks to the know how obtained over the years of experience in growing different microorganisms, and the control and efficiency given by the patented bio-reactors and the specific culture mediums. ECO-BIOMASS solution is even more economical than buying dried microorganisms, because bioreactors are amortized in a short time. Clients count with the added advantage of always working with fresh microorganisms, which usually implies an additional source of outcome because impaired productions are avoided.
Duration
2019
Project approved.
Project Begins.
Contact with new clients (tests). Begging of yeast selection studies in different wineries: Grand Boise (France), San Cristóforo (Italy) and Coop. Almeirim (Portugal).
Assistance to SIMEI fair (Italy)
Travel to France, search for new distributors and wineries.
Hiring new work staff:
Project Manager.
Quality Assurance Responsible.
R & D technician.
2020
Travel to France and Italy. Meetings with different distributors and wineries. Starting commercial relationships with some of them.
Development and translation of website and corporate documents in 4 languages: Spanish, English, Italian and French.
Communication and publicity. Closure of publication in magazines as L’Enologo (Italy) and Revue des Oenologues (France). Start contact with other Spanish magazines: Semana Vitivinícola, Enoviticultura, Enólogos and Interempresa.
Webinar with wineries from Spain, France, Italy, Portugal and Argentina
Bioreactors shipments to wineries from Spain, France, Italy and Portugal
Travel for start-ups of bioreactors
Reception of grapes for studies
Production of customised yeasts for clients
Bioreactors shipments to wineries from Argentina
2021
Communication in the media: Articles and publications in the following media:
- La Razón: “Each winery want to find its own yeasts that give its wines a unique character”
- Biofood: “Healthy fermented foods”
- La Vigne: “Un levurage efficace et économique”
Travels to wineries in Spain, France, Italy and Portugal.
Communication in the media: Articles and publications in the following media:
- La Razón: “LEV2050: 10th anniversary”
- ENEO: “Industrial microbiology: LEV2050”
- Revues des Oenologues: “Comment la diversité de ses propres levures peut-elle imprimer des caractères uniques à ses vins? “
Travels to wineries in Spain, France, Italy and Portugal.
Webinar with wineries from Spain, France, Italy, Portugal and Argentina
Communication in the media: Articles and publications in the following media:
- iFood : “A booming sector: industrial microbiology”
- Semana Vitivinícola: “The explosion of biotechnology in wine”
- L’Enologo: “Lieviti propri, eficaci ed economici”
Attendance to the Food 4 Future fair (Bilbao)
Bioreactors shipments to wineries from Spain, France, Italy and Portugal
Reception of grapes for studies
Communication in the media: Articles and publications in the following media:
- Revue des Oenologues: “Le boom des Non-Saccharomyces“
Travel for start-ups of bioreactors in Spain, France, Italy and Portugal
Production of customised yeasts for new clients
Attendance to the SITEVI fair (Montpellier)
Communication in the media: Articles and publications in the following media:Revue des Oenologues:
- “La baie de raisin. Reflet microbiologique et miroir du terroir”
- La Razón: “The endophytic microbiota”