Harnessing marine biodiversity: the Enzymares Project’s breakthroughs in enzyme technology
As the Enzymares project approaches its conclusion in 2025, its implications for sustainability and industrial innovation are becoming increasingly clear. This project, focused on developing a cutting-edge enzyme prediction toolbox, has the potential to transform industries by unlocking the untapped diversity of marine enzymes. With its innovative approach, Enzymares not only accelerates the discovery of these vital biocatalysts but also paves the way for cleaner, more efficient, and environmentally friendly processes across a range of sectors.

Enzymes are indispensable catalysts in numerous industrial processes, spanning applications in fine and specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food and aquafeed, textiles, cosmetics, and more. Their appeal lies not only in their efficiency but also in their non-toxic and biodegradable nature, which positions them as sustainable alternatives to traditional chemical additives or catalysts. By enabling cleaner, more resource- and energy-efficient processes, enzymes offer a pathway to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly industry.
However, the discovery of new enzymes—especially those suited to extreme conditions or specific industrial requirements—remains a complex and resource-intensive endeavor. The growing global demand for enzymes with enhanced substrate specificity, stability, and performance under extreme conditions, such as high sugar or salt concentrations, presents both challenges and opportunities. While marine environments hold enormous potential as a source of novel enzymes, the process of identifying, testing, and validating these enzymes is anything but straightforward. This is where the Enzymares project steps in.
The Enzymares project
The Enzymares project, a collaborative initiative supported by VLAIO (Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship) and spearheaded by Catalisti, De Blauwe Cluster, and Flanders’ FOOD, seeks to revolutionize the enzyme discovery pathway. Ghent University, KU Leuven, VIB, Bio Base Europe Plant and VITO are research partners in the project. Running from 2021 to 2025, this intercluster SBO project has been developing a comprehensive enzyme prediction toolbox with the potential to significantly enhance the speed and efficiency of enzyme discovery and validation. By screening biological resources from unique culture collections and integrating ecological data, molecular information, and industrial process parameters into a unified framework, the toolbox aims to deliver enzymes that are not only novel but also tailored to specific industrial needs.
Marine conditions
Marine environments are particularly promising for enzyme discovery due to the unique adaptations of marine organisms to extreme habitats. These adaptations often result in enzymes capable of functioning under challenging conditions, such as high pressure, low temperatures, or high salt concentrations. While much current research focuses on microbial enzymes, the Enzymares project also explores the potential of enzymes from more complex eukaryotic organisms, expanding the reservoir of possibilities for industrial applications.
Two-pronged approach: AI and validation
Central to the project is a multidisciplinary approach, combining expertise in marine molecular ecology, microbiology, protein biochemistry, bioprocess technology, bioinformatics, and machine learning. The project is structured around two key research pillars. The first involves the development of an AI-powered dashboard to predict optimal enzymes for industrial applications. Using advanced algorithms and large-scale omics datasets, this dashboard will enable researchers to identify and prioritize candidate enzymes based on their predicted performance and suitability for specific industrial processes.
The second research pillar focuses on the experimental validation and benchmarking of these candidate enzymes, aimingto assess enzyme performance under real-life conditions and optimize production processes. This integration of prediction and validation ensures that the enzymes identified are not only theoretically promising but also practically viable for industrial use.
Discovery pipeline
One of the most significant innovations of the Enzymares project is its holistic approach. By implementing the entire enzyme discovery pipeline—from identifying industry requirements to delivering validated enzymes ready for production—within a single project, Enzymares aims to reduce the time-to-market for new enzymes. This streamlined process not only accelerates the pace of innovation but also expands the application potential of enzymatic catalysis across industries.
Profound implications for our industries
By unlocking the diversity of marine enzymes and providing industry with tailored solutions, the project supports the transition to more sustainable industrial processes. From enabling the production of biodegradable plastics to enhancing the efficiency of food production, the potential applications are vast. Through its innovative approach, Enzymares exemplifies the power of collaboration and multidisciplinary research in addressing pressing challenges for our industries.
As the project comes to its conclusion, its outcomes have the potential to influence the role of enzymes in industrial innovation. By making the discovery process faster, more efficient, and more targeted, Enzymares not only contributes to the advancement of enzyme technology but also supports broader goals of sustainability and environmental stewardship. In doing so, it paves the way for a future where industrial processes are as efficient as they are sustainable.
Industrial Advisory Board
The Industrial Advisory Board of the Enzymares project consists of the following companies AB Mauri, Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services, B4Plastics, BASF, Bienca, Cargill, ChemStream, GSR (DEME), Flen Health, IMAQUA, INVE, Kemin, Nutrition Sciences, Open Analytics, Proviron, Puratos, Tereos, Globachem.
Join us for the Enzymares Closing event

We are delighted to invite you to the closing event of the Enzymares project, a groundbreaking initiative that has been driving innovation in enzyme discovery since 2021. Over the past four years, Enzymares has developed an advanced enzyme prediction toolbox, accelerating the discovery and application of sustainable bio-catalysts to revolutionize industrial processes, with a particular focus on marine resources as a rich source of innovation.