Italian nanotechnology SME developing bio-based nanomaterials and nano-enabled surface coatings for sustainable and industrial applications.
NANOFABER is a Rome-based nanotechnology SME that designs and develops advanced nano-enabled materials — ranging from bio-derived peptide and saccharide nanomaterials for sustainable packaging and pharmaceutical carriers, to functional surface coatings engineered for durability, low friction, and controlled permeability. They contribute specialist nanomaterial expertise to large European research and innovation consortia, bridging laboratory-scale chemistry with the demands of industrial manufacturing and mass production. Their portfolio spans two distinct but technically adjacent fronts: green bio-nanomaterials synthesized from natural polymers, and protective surface nanotechnologies designed for scale-up to continuous industrial processes.
PEPSA-MATE (2020–2025) targets nanopeptides and nanosaccharides — including glycogen — for bioplastic production, sustainable materials, and drug delivery applications using green sonochemistry.
NewSkin (2020–2024) addresses nano-enabled surfaces and membranes with engineered properties: low friction, high durability, permeability control, and surface protection for industrial use.
PEPSA-MATE lists green sonochemistry as a core keyword, indicating expertise in ultrasound-driven, sustainable synthesis routes for nanomaterial production.
Drug delivery system is explicitly listed among PEPSA-MATE keywords, pointing to peptide- and saccharide-based nano-carrier applications in the pharmaceutical domain.
NewSkin focuses on continuous and mass production processes within an open innovation test bed, reflecting engagement with higher-TRL manufacturing and industrial transfer of nano-surface technologies.
Both of NANOFABER's H2020 projects launched simultaneously in 2020, so there is no true historical shift — they pursued two parallel technical tracks from the outset rather than evolving sequentially. The first track, represented by PEPSA-MATE, is grounded in research-intensive bio-nanochemistry: peptides, saccharides, bioplastics, and drug delivery. The second, represented by NewSkin, points toward applied industrial nanotechnology: surface protection, manufacturing processes, and open innovation infrastructure. If a directional signal exists, it is the NewSkin involvement suggesting growing interest in bridging nano-science with real industrial production rather than remaining in the research domain.
NANOFABER appears to be extending from research-oriented bio-nanochemistry into the industrial application and scale-up of surface nanotechnologies, suggesting a trajectory toward higher-TRL manufacturing partnerships.
NANOFABER participates exclusively as a partner and has never coordinated an EU project — consistent with a specialist SME that contributes deep technical expertise rather than project management capacity. Despite only two projects, they have engaged with 48 unique partners across 17 countries, reflecting integration into large, internationally distributed consortia typical of MSCA-RISE and large Innovation Actions. For a prospective partner, this means they are accustomed to multi-actor collaboration and can fit into complex consortium structures, but they are unlikely to take on lead coordination responsibilities.
With 48 unique consortium partners across 17 countries from just two projects, NANOFABER is broadly connected relative to their size, operating through large European research and innovation networks. Their reach is pan-European, consistent with the international mobility requirements of MSCA-RISE and cross-border Innovation Action consortia.
NANOFABER occupies an unusual niche as a small Italian company with dual competence in bio-derived nanomaterials — peptides, saccharides, bioplastics — and functional nano-surface engineering for industrial durability and protection. This cross-domain profile makes them a versatile nano-materials partner for consortia that need expertise bridging sustainable chemistry, surface science, and manufacturing scale-up. As a Rome-based SME, they also provide the SME participation quota and Italian geographic anchor that many Horizon consortium builders actively seek when composing bids.
