Matís plays a leading role in a large-scale multinational project that has attracted attention within the European Commission, and the project, called Amylomics, has been chosen as one of the projects that stand out from all the numbers that the Commission sponsors each year (Success story).
The Amylomics project will utilize the diverse biota of geothermal areas in Iceland to develop heat-resistant enzymes for use in the starch and sugar industries. Heat and acid resistance are essential properties in such industrial processes, but these properties can be found in the enzymes of organisms in hot springs.
The biotechnology project Amylomics is the idea of Matís' experts and Iceland will largely be its platform. The diversity of geothermal areas in Iceland is unique and Matís has extensive expertise in their ecosystem. The project is based on developing technology to utilize this special Icelandic genetic source, producing enzymes with certain and important properties and exploring possibilities for utilizing the enzymes in various areas of the chemical and food industry.
Among the participants in Amylomics is the French company Rocket Frères , which is one of the largest in Europe in the production of starch and derivatives, with an annual turnover of about 7 billion euros. Roquette Frères will be testing enzymes that will be developed in the project for testing and innovation in its production.
Dr. Guðmundur Óli Hreggviðsson, Matís's professional manager, is Amylomics' project manager, and he provides all further information.
Information about the project can also be found on the website European Commission.