NOVIS GMBH

Their core work

NOVIS GmbH is a German SME based in Tübingen that specializes in converting biological waste streams into valuable products through circular bioeconomy approaches. Their work spans waste valorization from the mushroom and wine industries, as well as developing fully biodegradable consumer products like baby diapers. Across their H2020 portfolio, they consistently focus on closing material loops — turning spent substrates, CO2 emissions, and liquid effluents into feedstocks for new bio-based materials and processes.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

NOVIS entered H2020 in 2018 with the Smartmushroom project on agricultural substrate reuse, then broadened into biodegradable consumer materials (PAWN, 2020) and microalgae-based biorefinery from wine residues (REDWine, 2021). The trajectory shows a clear shift from simple waste management toward more sophisticated bio-based material development and industrial biorefinery processes. Each successive project has been more technically ambitious and better funded, suggesting growing capability and recognition in the circular bioeconomy space.

NOVIS is moving toward higher-value biorefinery applications, making them a strong partner for future projects converting industrial bio-waste into advanced materials or feedstocks.

How they like to work

NOVIS consistently participates as a partner rather than a coordinator, joining consortia where they contribute specific industrial or technical capabilities. With 19 unique partners across 9 countries from just 3 projects, they work in medium-to-large European consortia and appear comfortable integrating into diverse international teams. Their role pattern suggests they bring focused SME know-how to larger research and innovation efforts rather than driving the strategic direction.

NOVIS has built a network of 19 distinct consortium partners across 9 European countries through their three Innovation Action projects. For an SME with a relatively short H2020 track record, this represents a broad and diverse collaboration base.

What sets them apart

NOVIS occupies a niche at the intersection of circular economy thinking and practical industrial application — they don't just research waste valorization, they participate in Innovation Actions designed to bring solutions closer to market. Their cross-domain range (mushroom substrate, biodegradable plastics, microalgae biorefinery) makes them unusually versatile for an SME, able to contribute to projects across multiple bio-waste value chains. For consortium builders, they offer a German SME partner with demonstrated experience in translating circular bioeconomy concepts into near-market innovations.

Highlights from their portfolio

• REDWine
  Their largest project (EUR 1M+ funding) combining wine industry waste valorization with microalgae biorefinery — an ambitious cross-sector circular economy approach.
• PAWN
  Tackles a massive consumer waste problem (disposable diapers) with fully biodegradable materials, demonstrating NOVIS's reach beyond agri-food into consumer products.