HIGHCHEM SRO

Their core work

HighChem is a Bratislava-based SME specializing in analytical chemistry software and chemical compound characterization. Their flagship work involves mass spectrometry data processing for small molecule identification (project BDoSM), which they have applied to bio-based value chains including food ingredient extraction and bioactive compound analysis. In the EXCornsEED project, they contributed analytical capabilities for characterizing proteins, bioactives, and specialty chemicals derived from agricultural side-streams like corn oil and rapeseed meal. Their core value lies in bridging chemical data analytics with practical industrial applications in food, cosmetics, and specialty chemicals.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

HighChem's earliest H2020 engagement (2015) centered on chemical informatics and mass spectrometry data tools through the BDoSM project, reflecting their software and data roots. By 2018, they pivoted toward applied bio-economy work with EXCornsEED, applying their analytical chemistry skills to real-world valorization of agricultural residues for food and cosmetics markets. This shift from pure data tools to applied product characterization suggests a deliberate move toward higher-value, market-facing applications of their core analytical capabilities.

HighChem is moving from back-end analytical software toward applied roles in bio-based product development, making them increasingly relevant for food, cosmetics, and green chemistry consortia.

How they like to work

HighChem operates across all consortium roles — coordinator (BDoSM), partner (ANSWER), and third-party contributor (EXCornsEED) — showing flexibility rather than a fixed position. With 30 unique partners across 12 countries from just 3 projects, they plug into large, diverse consortia rather than leading them. This profile suggests a specialist-for-hire approach: they bring targeted analytical chemistry expertise to larger teams without demanding a leadership seat.

Despite only 3 projects, HighChem has built connections with 30 partners across 12 countries, primarily through large Research and Innovation Actions. Their network is broad for their size, spanning Western and Eastern Europe.

What sets them apart

HighChem combines chemical informatics software (mass spectrometry data analysis) with hands-on compound characterization — a rare pairing in a small SME. Where most analytical service providers lack data science depth, and most software companies lack wet-lab application experience, HighChem bridges both. For consortium builders, they offer a compact partner that can handle both the analytical measurement and the data interpretation in bio-based product development chains.

Highlights from their portfolio

• BDoSM
  Their only coordinator role and likely closest to their core product — Big Data of Small Molecules represents their foundational mass spectrometry analytics expertise.
• EXCornsEED
  Largest funding (EUR 111,625) and most application-oriented project, demonstrating their pivot toward bio-economy valorization with direct market validation goals in food and cosmetics.