AquaInSilico (AIS) is pleased to announce its participation in PHACTUS (PHA through Continuous, Tunable, Safe and Sustainable Production), a project selected for funding under the Horizon Europe Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU). As one of the consortium partners, AIS joins a consortium of leading European research institutions, universities and innovative enterprises committed to advancing circular bio-based solutions across the European Union.
PHACTUS project
PHACTUS's goal is to transform the way bioplastic polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are produced from urban organic waste and wastewater treatment sludge, by replacing today's batch-based manufacturing process with continuous production. This breakthrough has the potential to make the production of biodegradable bioplastics more efficient, consistent and cost-effective, accelerating their adoption as a sustainable alternative to fossil-based plastics.
AIS's role in PHACTUS
AIS participates in PHACTUS as a specialist in digital intelligence and process optimisation for bio-based systems. AIS will implement predictive modelling and develop an AI-driven process control to support the operation and optimisation of a continuous PHA production process that effectively maintains the desired productivity and composition within a specific range, independently of the residue's composition.
Why this matters
Participation in a Horizon Europe CBE JU project is a significant validation of AIS's scientific and technological capabilities. It places AIS alongside leading European research and industrial organisations and opens the opportunity to expand the application of its AI and digital twin technologies beyond wastewater treatment into the broader bioeconomy sector. Through PHACTUS, AIS will demonstrate how UPWATER™ can improve the reliability, efficiency and scalability of next-generation bio-based production processes.
“For AIS, PHACTUS is an opportunity to push the boundaries of process modelling for continuous bioprocesses. By contributing to the optimisation of a novel waste-to-value bioprocess, we are demonstrating how advanced digital intelligence can accelerate the development and scale-up of the next generation of bio-based products derived from waste streams.”
About AIS
AIS is a Portuguese deep-tech company and spin-off from NOVA University Lisbon, co-founded with Frontier IP Group. AIS powers UPWATER™ and UPWASTE — AI-powered digital twin platforms for organic waste and wastewater treatment facilities, turning complex biological processes predictable, efficient and profitable.