RaCE: call for industrial interest

13/11/2026
Calls

Call for industrial interest for the project Race and explore the potential for collaborative innovation on robust and cost-effective electrochemistry for bio-based molecules with Cargill. 

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RaCE Request for industrial parrtners to join the project RaCE and work on robust and cost-effective electrochemistry for bio-based molecules.

Introduction

The transition towards a more sustainable chemical industry requires innovative routes for the production of bio-based building blocks. One promising example is gluconic acid, a versatile bio-based molecule with applications in sectors such as food, detergents, personal care, construction chemicals, and industrial formulations.

Today, gluconic acid is primarily produced through fermentation of glucose. While the molecule offers broad application potential, its relatively high production cost can limit wider industrial adoption. To address this challenge, Cargill is exploring an alternative production route based on the electrochemical oxidation of glucose to gluconic acid.

While the conversion of glucose to gluconic acid serves as the initial case study, the project may be broadened towards other electrochemical conversion routes for (bio-based) molecules where robustness, scalability and cost-effectiveness are key industrial challenges.

Ambition

Within this project, the partners aim to address several key challenges:

  • Development of a cost-efficient electrochemical conversion process;
  • Design of robust electrode materials with long operational lifetimes and/or straightforward regeneration strategies;
  • Operation under concentrated process conditions relevant for industrial implementation;
  • Evaluation of the resulting product streams and mixtures, including valuable co-products such as sorbitol;
  • Assessment of purification requirements and application opportunities for both purified products and product mixtures.

In addition to the technology development aspects, the project seeks to explore where gluconic acid and related bio-based product streams could create added value within existing and emerging value chains.

Call

At this stage, the project is still in an exploratory phase. Before shaping the concept into a collaborative innovation project, Catalisti and Cargill would like to gauge the level of industrial interest within the ecosystem.

While the current project idea originates from the electrochemical production of gluconic acid, we also welcome interest from companies active in other (bio-based) electrochemical conversion pathways. The objective is to identify common industrial challenges and opportunities related to robust and cost-effective electrochemical processing. We are therefore looking for companies that:

  • Are developing or applying electrochemical conversion technologies for (bio-based) molecules, and recognize similar challenges related to process robustness, electrode lifetime, scalability, energy efficiency and cost competitiveness;
  • Possess expertise or interest in electrochemical conversion technologies, including but not limited to the oxidation of aldehydes to carboxylic acids;
  • Are interested in broader bio-based platform technologies that could enable the sustainable production of functional ingredients and specialty chemicals;
  • Have an interest in the application and valorization of gluconic acid, either as a purified product or as part of a broader bio-based product mixture;
  • Have expertise in downstream processing, purification or formulation of bio-based molecules. 

This list is non-exhaustive. We welcome interest from companies operating anywhere along the value chain that see potential relevance for their products, processes or future innovation ambitions.

How do I reply?

Companies interested in learning more about this project idea, exploring potential synergies, or contributing expertise are invited to contact Catalisti.

At this stage, expressing interest does not imply any commitment to participate in a future project consortium. The objective is to identify common interests, assess industrial relevance, and determine whether sufficient momentum exists to further develop the concept into a collaborative innovation project.

Please contact Aron Deneyer (adeneyeratcatalisti.be (adeneyer[at]catalisti[dot]be); +32 472 375 260) and briefly indicate:

  • Your company's area of expertise;
  • Your interest in the topic;
  • Potential applications, challenges or opportunities you would like to explore within the framework of this initiative.