AENEAM ADVANCED MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGIES

Their core work

AENEAM is a Spanish technology SME based in Zaragoza that develops advanced membrane systems applied to biological and chemical processes. Their core business sits at the intersection of membrane engineering and biotechnology — they build membrane-based platforms for applications ranging from microbial fuel cells that treat wastewater while generating electricity, to enzyme immobilization systems that enable efficient biocatalytic reactions. They serve as industrial specialists in European research consortia, contributing proprietary membrane know-how that academic groups cannot provide on their own. Their recent engagement in an MSCA Innovative Training Network signals an active interest in co-developing next-generation biorefinery and green chemistry technologies with academic partners across Europe.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

AENEAM's earliest H2020 project (MEMBio, 2018) was squarely in environmental bioelectrochemistry — applying microbial fuel cells and membranes to wastewater treatment, a well-defined industrial problem. By 2020, they pivoted toward industrial biotechnology: their INTERfaces participation introduced a cluster of keywords — enzyme immobilization, biocatalytic cascades, biobased chemicals, biorefineries — that signals a shift from remediation toward production. This evolution suggests the company is repositioning its membrane expertise from environmental cleanup toward the emerging bioeconomy and green chemistry markets.

AENEAM is moving from environmental bioelectrochemical applications into industrial biotechnology and biorefinery markets, where membrane technology for enzyme and catalyst containment is a growing commercial need.

How they like to work

AENEAM has both led a project and joined as a partner, showing flexibility across roles depending on project scope. Their single coordination experience was a small SME Phase 1 feasibility study (EUR 50,000), while their partner role sits within a large MSCA training network with 17 unique partners across 7 countries — indicating they can integrate into complex, multi-partner structures as a focused technical contributor. Working with them likely means engaging a specialist who brings industrial membrane know-how, not a project management-heavy organization.

AENEAM has connected with 17 unique consortium partners across 7 countries in just two projects, almost entirely through the large MSCA-ITN network INTERfaces — their network is European in scope but built primarily through one major training consortium rather than repeated bilateral partnerships.

What sets them apart

As a private membrane technology company — not a university or research institute — AENEAM brings an industrial perspective and proprietary product angle that most academic consortium partners cannot replicate. Their ability to bridge bioelectrochemistry (microbial fuel cells) and industrial biocatalysis (enzyme immobilization, biorefineries) means they can contribute across projects touching both environmental and green chemistry themes. For SME-specific funding instruments or industrial mentoring roles in training networks, they are a credible and demonstrated option.

Highlights from their portfolio

• INTERfaces
  Their largest project by budget (EUR 250,905) and network reach — an MSCA Innovative Training Network running 2020–2024 across 7 countries on heterogeneous biocatalytic cascades, where AENEAM contributed as industrial membrane specialist.
• MEMBio
  Their only coordinator role: a 2018 SME Phase 1 feasibility study applying microbial fuel cells to wastewater treatment, the clearest evidence of their founding technical focus.