Pilots4U · Project

One-Stop Network to Access 40+ Bioeconomy Pilot Plants Across Europe

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Imagine you've developed a new bio-based material — say, packaging from seaweed — but building your own pilot plant to test it at scale would cost millions. Pilots4U created a searchable directory of over 40 open-access pilot and demo facilities across Europe where you can rent time on expensive equipment instead of buying it. Think of it like Airbnb for biotech labs: you find the right equipment, book access, and test your product without the massive upfront investment. The network also evaluated six business cases for new equipment investments to fill gaps in what's available.

By the numbers

40+

open-access pilot and demo infrastructures in the network

150

member regions in the European Regions research and innovation network

business cases for additional equipment investments evaluated

consortium partners across 4 countries

partners coordinating bio-economy pilot or demo-infrastructure networks

The business problem

What needed solving

Companies developing bio-based products face a massive scale-up bottleneck: pilot and demo equipment is extremely expensive to build and requires specialized expertise to operate. Most SMEs and startups simply cannot afford their own pilot plant, which means promising innovations get stuck between lab results and market-ready products. Without affordable access to the right scale-up infrastructure, bio-based innovations die in the "valley of death."

The solution

What was built

The project built a unified European network connecting over 40 open-access pilot and multipurpose demo facilities for the bioeconomy, accessible through a single platform at biopilots4u.eu. A key concrete deliverable was an asset database (in Excel format) cataloguing available equipment across all facilities, designed so external users can identify what they need and how to access it. The project also evaluated up to 6 business cases for investing in additional equipment to fill capability gaps.

Audience

Who needs this

Biotech startups needing fermentation or bioreactor access for scale-up trialsSMEs developing bio-based packaging, chemicals, or materialsChemical companies transitioning from fossil to bio-based feedstocksBiofuel producers testing new conversion processes at demo scaleFood ingredient companies developing bio-based additives or processing methods

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Bio-based packaging

SME

Target: SMEs developing biodegradable or bio-based packaging materials

If you are a packaging SME trying to scale up a bio-based material from lab to production — this project built a network of over 40 open-access pilot facilities across Europe where you can rent equipment and expertise. Instead of investing millions in your own pilot plant, you can find the right bioreactor or processing line through the Pilots4U database and test your product at demo scale while protecting your IP.

Industrial biotechnology

SME

Target: Biotech startups developing fermentation-based products

If you are a biotech startup that needs access to fermentation equipment, downstream processing, or bioreactor capacity — this project mapped over 40 European demo infrastructures and compiled an asset database showing exactly what equipment is available and how to access it. Six business cases for additional equipment investments were also evaluated, meaning gaps in available capacity are being actively addressed.

Biofuels and biochemicals

any

Target: Chemical companies transitioning from fossil to bio-based feedstocks

If you are a chemical company piloting bio-based alternatives to petroleum-derived products — this project created a single access point to pilot and multipurpose demo facilities across 4 countries. The network connects you with specialized equipment operators who have the expertise to help you scale, without the cost and time of building your own demonstration infrastructure.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

How much does it cost to access these pilot facilities?

The project itself did not set pricing — each facility in the network sets its own access fees. However, the entire point of open-access infrastructure is that renting time on shared equipment is dramatically cheaper than building or buying your own pilot plant. Contact individual facilities through the Pilots4U database for specific pricing.

Can these facilities handle industrial-scale production runs?

The network includes both pilot-scale and multipurpose demo-scale facilities, which are designed to bridge the gap between lab and full production. Over 40 infrastructures are in the network, covering a wide range of bioeconomy processing capabilities. These are not full production lines but are specifically built for scale-up testing and demonstration.

How is my intellectual property protected if I use a shared facility?

IP protection was a core design principle of the network. The project explicitly aimed to set up the network while protecting IP rights of users. Specific IP arrangements would be agreed with individual facility operators before any work begins.

What types of equipment are available through the network?

The project compiled a comprehensive asset database in Excel format containing equipment data from over 40 facilities. This database covers bioeconomy-relevant equipment including bioreactors and related processing infrastructure. The register was designed to be usable by external parties to understand what equipment is available and how it can be accessed.

How do I find the right facility for my specific needs?

The Pilots4U network created a single, visible access point at biopilots4u.eu. The asset database compiled during the project allows you to search by equipment type and capability. Six partner organizations each coordinate regional pilot infrastructure networks, giving you broad European coverage across 4 countries.

Is the network still active after the project ended?

The project ran from 2017 to 2019 and established the network infrastructure and database. Based on available project data, the network was designed for long-term sustainability with 6 coordinating partners and industry contributing in cash. The project website biopilots4u.eu was set up as the central access point.

Consortium

Who built it

The 8-partner consortium across Belgium, Finland, Sweden, and the UK was specifically assembled to aggregate existing pilot plant networks rather than build new ones. Six of the partners already coordinate their own regional bio-economy infrastructure networks (SmartPilots, ERIFORE, BRISK, Enalgae, Biorefine Cluster Europe, BioPilotsUK), which is how the project achieved coverage of over 40 facilities. Notably, the consortium has zero traditional industry partners but includes 3 SMEs and has CLIC Innovation representing industry with cash contributions — suggesting this is a platform play backed by the research infrastructure community rather than driven by a single corporate interest. The presence of NNFCC as an independent bioeconomy consultant leading the study adds credibility for commercial users. For a business considering this network, the multi-country, multi-network structure means broad equipment coverage but may require navigating different access terms across facilities.

BIO BASE EUROPE PILOT PLANT VZWCoordinator · BE
SWANSEA UNIVERSITYparticipant · UK
THE NATIONAL NON FOOD CROPS CENTRELBGparticipant · UK
KUNGLIGA TEKNISKA HOEGSKOLANparticipant · SE
EUROPEAN REGIONS RESEARCH AND INNOVATION NETWORKparticipant · BE
UNIVERSITEIT GENTparticipant · BE
TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OYparticipant · FI
CLIC INNOVATION OYparticipant · FI

How to reach the team

Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant (Belgium) coordinated Pilots4U — reach out via their website or the Pilots4U platform for facility access inquiries

Order a report on this consortium See BIO BASE EUROPE PILOT PLANT VZW profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to find the right bioeconomy pilot facility for your scale-up project? SciTransfer can match your specific processing needs with available infrastructure in the Pilots4U network and arrange introductions.

Order a report on this topic More in Manufacturing & Industry 4.0