ThinCBio is a Horizon Europe project, Grant No. 101294272, dedicated to mapping, connecting and strengthening Technology Infrastructures across chemistry and biotechnology in Europe. The European chemical and pharmaceutical industry employs 1.9 million people and supplies critical materials to nearly every sector. To remain globally competitive and meet climate goals, it urgently needs faster scale-up pathways and better access to shared pilot infrastructures, particularly for SMEs and start-ups.

The challenge

ThinCBio addresses this challenge through four key steps:

1. Mapping existing Tis infrastructures across chemistry and all types of biotechnology — white, red, green and blue — into a comprehensive BC-TI Atlas
2. Assessing user needs, barriers and gaps through EU-wide surveys and in-depth interviews
3. Developing validated policy recommendations and a White Paper
4. Co-creating a conclusive EU-wide roadmap for chemistry and biotech infrastructures

The project is coordinated by Fraunhofer IGB, Germany, and brings together six partners from five European countries: Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant, Belgium; RISE Processum, Sweden; VTT Technical Research Centre, Finland; IDEA Consult, Belgium; and ACT-SI, Slovenia.

Approach & results

IDEA Consult brings a policy and strategy perspective to ThinCBio, complementing the consortium’s strong technical expertise in chemistry and biotechnology infrastructures. Its added value lies in translating evidence from Technology Infrastructure operators, industrial users, policy makers and funding actors into practical recommendations that can support better access, stronger coordination and more effective investment in European chemistry and biotech infrastructures.

Building on its experience in research and innovation policy, stakeholder engagement and impact-oriented analysis, IDEA Consult helps ensure that ThinCBio goes beyond mapping existing infrastructures. The aim is to connect the evidence base with actionable policy guidance: identifying which financial and coordination instruments can support Technology Infrastructures, assessing how access and availability can be improved for SMEs and start-ups, and contributing to recommendations that are realistic for policy makers, infrastructure providers and industrial users.

Within the project, IDEA Consult leads the work package on policy recommendations and contributes to the development of the White Paper, which will translate project findings into concrete guidance for strengthening biotechnology and chemistry Technology Infrastructures across Europe.