IOS, INSTITUT ZA OKOLJEVARSTVO IN SENZORJE, PROIZVODNJA, TRGOVINA IN STORITVE DOO

Their core work

IOS (Institute for Environmental Protection and Sensors) is a Slovenian SME specializing in analytical measurement, environmental monitoring, and sensor technologies. Their core work spans mercury speciation and isotope analysis, food safety testing using mass spectrometry, and chemical analysis for circular economy applications such as textile waste recycling. They apply their measurement and sensing expertise across environmental and food domains, serving as a technical partner capable of delivering analytical services, biosensor development, and traceability solutions.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

IOS began its H2020 participation with RESYNTEX (2015–2019), a large Innovation Action focused on circular economy — converting textile waste into industrial feedstock. From 2020 onward, they shifted decisively toward analytical science, joining two MSCA training networks: one on global mercury monitoring (GMOS-Train) and one on food quality and safety (FoodTraNet). This pivot from industrial circular economy toward measurement science and environmental/food analytics suggests they consolidated around their core sensor and analytical chemistry competencies.

IOS is deepening its focus on analytical measurement science — particularly mass spectrometry and isotope techniques — applied to both environmental monitoring and food safety, positioning them at the intersection of these two regulated domains.

How they like to work

IOS operates exclusively as a participant, never leading consortia — consistent with their SME profile and specialist role. With 37 unique partners across 12 countries from just 3 projects, they engage in large, diverse consortia rather than tight recurring partnerships. This suggests they are valued as a technical contributor brought in for specific analytical capabilities rather than as a strategic project driver.

Despite only 3 projects, IOS has built a broad network of 37 partners across 12 countries, reflecting participation in large EU-wide consortia. Their base in Slovenia gives them a Central European perspective, but their network spans well beyond the region.

What sets them apart

IOS occupies an unusual niche as an SME that bridges environmental sensing and food safety analytics through shared analytical chemistry methods. While many organizations specialize in one domain, IOS applies the same mass spectrometry and isotope analysis toolkit across mercury monitoring, food traceability, and industrial recycling. For consortium builders, they offer a private-sector analytical partner with hands-on measurement expertise — a practical complement to university-based research groups.

Highlights from their portfolio

• RESYNTEX
  Their largest project (EUR 1.37M) and only Innovation Action — a significant circular economy initiative converting textile waste to chemical feedstock.
• GMOS-Train
  A global mercury monitoring network directly supporting Minamata Convention implementation, combining environmental science with international policy relevance.
• FoodTraNet
  Addresses food quality and security through advanced analytical techniques — represents IOS's expansion from environmental into food safety analytics.