Fine chemicals are essential building blocks in the chemical industry, powering innovation across the pharmaceutical and agrochemical sectors. Traditional multi-step syntheses often rely on batch processes with homogeneously distributed catalysts — a setup that demands long changeover times, complex process control, and labor-intensive purification steps to achieve the required product purity for high-value applications.
Together with three other Fraunhofer Institutes (IGB, IMM, and ISC), we at Fraunhofer IME offer a modular technology and process platform for the targeted synthesis of fine chemicals using continuous catalytic cascade reactions. This approach enables higher efficiency, shorter process times, and improved scalability compared to conventional batch systems.
Building on our strong expertise in enzyme engineering and biocatalyst design, we develop tailored enzyme solutions for your specific applications. Using our advanced cell-free expression systems and proprietary Plant Cell Pack (PCP) technology, we can rapidly screen, identify, and produce customized biocatalysts on our versatile protein production platforms — paving the way for more sustainable, flexible, and cost-efficient production of fine chemicals.
Our Services
- Tailored biocatalysts and advanced enzyme immobilization for industrial applications
- Catalyst design aligned with hybrid catalysis concepts
- Development of multi-step cascade processes, including chiral analytics
- Laboratory-scale reactor and facility development for feasibility studies and process validation
- Seamless scale-up following successful validation
Your Benefits
- Platform technology enabling efficient, fast, cost-effective, and sustainable fine chemical synthesis
- Comprehensive, one-stop feasibility studies
Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME