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General information
In brief...
Ovelacq, quality dyed yarns since 1851
The Ovelacq Company has been dyeing yarn professionally since 1851, after part of activities previously based in France were relocated to Belgium.
We continuously strive to develop new dye techniques, not only to meet a specific client’s request but because we are by tradition bound to remain at the forefront of the textile industry.
Find more information on the company and click
Leader contact:
Brief description of the work performed...
- OVEL contributed to the subject textile dyeing, more specific by giving explanation andinformation about the methods and principles of textile dyeing, the different classes’ of dyes and the environmental impact of a dyehouse.
- OVEL contributed to the establishment of Model Wastewater.
General information
| Partner: |
Hydrotox Labor für Ökotoxikologie und Gwässerchutz GmbH |
| Country: |
Germany |
| Website: |
http://www.hydrotox.de |
| Status: |
Research centre |
| Acronym: |
HYDRO |
In brief...
The Hydrotox GmbH was founded in 1989 as “Hydrotox Laboratory for Ecotoxicology and Water Pollution Control GmbH”.
The objective of the laboratory is the routine analysis and research for industry and government for determining ecotoxicological and genotoxic effects and (bio)degradability of chemicals, materials and complex mixtures.
Staff: 5 scientists (biologists, chemist, hydrologist, environmental engineer), 2 technicians and 1 employee in administration.
The company is privately owned and independent from any other institution.
Area of Operation:
- Contract Laboratory:
Ecotoxicology, Biodegradation, Genotoxicity
- Research and development:
Chemicals, Biocides, Textiles, WEA (Whole Effluent Assessment)
Leader contact:
Brief description of the work performed...
- HYDRO selected suitable test methods for rapid and simple toxicity screening several key points have to be considered:
- significance for eco/toxicity testing
- After a long intensive discussion two tests, NRU uptake and Lumistox with colour correction were chosen for the screening of dye molecules and effluents. All selected ca. 20 dyes were tested with and without reference substances in both test systems. Results were discussed, compared and evaluated.
General information
In brief...

Wetlands Engineering, a national and international pioneer in the world of industrial biotechnologies, supplies innovative products to serve the environment.
To achieve its objectives, our team combines all of the skills required to offer a wide range of products and services in
Life science:
- Microbiology
- Toxicity
- Agronomy
Process bioengineering:
Automation
Online monitoring
Software
Industrial biotechnology:
Fermentation
Biosynthesis
Enzymes
Composting
Lab equipment
Every assignment is coordinated by a project manager who responds to your needs in the most optimal manner possible.


Leader contact:
Brief description of the work performed...
- WET has design a questionnaire in order to collect all the information and results needed for the production of the deliverables related to the environment of the project.
- WET has also created and animated a website to host the working document for the partners and to inform the public.
- WET has participated to the setting up of the normalisation procedure particularly for the laccase activity measurement.
- WET has also work on fungi metabolic studies from flask, 10 column bubble fermentor to 50 l and 150 l stirred tank fermentor.
- WET participated in the selection of fast screening method for the measurement of toxicity of wastewater or dyes, as well as the elaboration protocol for toxicity testing on Caco2 human cells.

- WET has validated the NRU test for dye and waste water.
- WET has also started to work on the development of novel toxicity testing based on optic measurement.
- WET has developed wastewater treatment pilots that are tested in situ.
General information
| Partner: |
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Laboratoire de Bioinorganique Structurale Déléguation Provence |
| Country: |
France |
| Website: |
http://www.lbs.fst.u-3mrs.fr |
| Status: |
Research centre |
| Acronym: |
LBS |
In brief...
The Laboratoire de Bioinorganique Structurale (Laboratory of Structural Bioinorganic Chemistry) is a team of the Chemistry, Biology and Free Radicals research center (UMR-CNRS 6517, dir. Jean-Pierre FINET) which belongs to the Fédération de Chimie Moléculaire of Marseilles (FR 1739). LBS is located on the campus of the Faculty of Sciences and Technologies of the Paul Cézanne University (Aix-Marseilles III). LBS currently consists of 13 scientists (6 CNRS researchers + 5 teachers + 2 ingineers) and 7 post-graduate students with training in physical, organic and inorganic chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology. Research interests are in the field of bioinorganic chemistry of metal-containing oxidases and oxygenases (Cu, Fe et Mn) including the studies of the relations architecture-function as well as the studies of interactions with effectors (biomolécules, substrates, inhibitors...).
The LBS activity is dedicated to bioinorganic chemistry. In this field, we are mostly concerned with Cu- and Fe-containing enzymes which activate dioxygen : monooxygenases, quercetinase, laccases, ACC oxidase, méthane monooxygenase and arginase.
Using various tools, we investigate mechanisms of dioxygen activation in order to find selective inhibitors and efficient catalysts.
Leader contact:
Brief description of the work performed...
- LBS took part in discussions concerning the industrials will with the exception of the waste water treatment objective in which we are not involved in the SOPHIED project.
- Concerning the objectives related to the design of new routes to existing molecules and that of dyes of the future with desirable attributes, LBS contributed to the discussion as molecular biologists.
- LBS contributed to the identification and design of dye precursors for the screening of novel biosynthetic systems.
- LBS contributed to the search for optimal conditions of production of laccases in selected white-rot fungi, they measured the evolution of total laccase activity and isoform content of 8 white-rot fungi (WRF) strains.
- LBS worked to find differential culture conditions selective for the expression of poorly expressed isoforms and to develop analysis and separation methods to purify these unstudied isoforms.
- LBS set up the electrochemistry tools to measure the properties of laccases potential substrates for colour generation. They tested phenolics and nonphenolics as laccase substrates in the presence or absence of ABTS as mediator.
- LBS established the initial biocatalytic potential of the project’s livestock.
- LBS tried to adapt enzymatic activities (mainly laccases) to the synthesis of high added value molecules through molecular evolution technologies.
- LBS’s involvement fits in the analysis and investigation of the interactions between the precursors and enzymes for improvement of the enzyme/precursor system planned action.
- LBS participated to a search for new dye precursors obtained through the biotransformation of either industrial chemicals (remediation associated process) or natural products.
- LBS obtained a chromic palette from blue to red colours using purified laccases and simple aromatic molecules as precursors, both in the presence and absence of ABTS as mediator.
General information
| Partner: |
BIOtransfer |
| Country: |
France |
| Website: |
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| Status: |
Research centre |
| Acronym: |
BIOT |
In brief...
BIOtransfer first came into being at the Pierre and Marie Curie University (Paris VI) in 1988, the brainchild of a meeting between Serge Krief and Jean- Marc Seng. Krief, an engineerconsultant with a consulting firm in Paris, had a solid background in international experience in the United States and Ecuador. Seng, on the other hand, was just back from a post-doc assignment abroad and was embarking on his academic career as an Assistant Professor in Plant Pathology. Both men were drawn together by their shared passion for biology and their dream to make its applications available to a wider public.
BIOtransfer’s overwhelming concern is to offer you the tools which are the best adapted to your specific needs. Because we have our own 500 m² of lab space, we are absolutely autonomous as far as basic experimentation in microbiology, plant pathology and molecular biology are concerned.Furthermore, we have controlled-climate storage rooms which means that we always have vegetable matter on hand. Our enclosed environments for DNA and microbiology ensure that all tasks are equally distributed and carried out in full security. Our close ties to the University of Paris XI-Orsay and four other leading French universities have kept us up on all the latest in today’s technological advances,such as epifluorescent microscopy, electron microscopy or mass spectrometers.Exactitude and scientific thoroughness - words which when combined guaranty the quality of our results. At BIOtransfer, no contract is outsourced - each team is fully responsible for carrying out the work entrusted to it.
Leader contact:
Brief description of the work performed...
- BIOT isolated and screened fungal strains for their ability to produce natural dyes in the culture medium.
- BIOT isolated fungal strains from varied samples and to select strains for their coloration characteristics. 73 strains were chosen in this way and 44 strains could be used for the further studies. After that, BIOT tested the strains for their ability to produce coloration in different media.
General information
| Partner: |
The Queen’s University Environmental Science and Technology Research Centre (QUESTOR) |
| Country: |
United Kingdom |
| Website: |
http://www.qub.ac.uk/qc |
| Status: |
University |
| Acronym: |
QUEST |
In brief...
The QUESTOR Centre is Europe's only Industry/University Co-operative Research Centre (I/UCRC) operating on a model developed by the National Science Foundation in the United States. QUESTOR has been formally linked to the NSF Programme of more than 50 such Centres since its formation in 1989. The QUESTOR Centre provides member companies and organisations with a world class environmental research programme focused on their specific needs and has developed a unique model for the transfer of technology and knowledge to member organisations and for the commercial exploitation of research in general. The QUESTOR Centre is now an international multi-University Centre with a network of member companies and organisations that decides both the direction of the research effort and the specific research projects that are funded. Dublin City University became the first partner institution with Queen's University in November 2005, and the Stevens Institute of Technology joined in 2006.
Research and Development Strengths QUESTOR provides member organisations with access to some of the most advanced research facilities available worldwide. Partner institutions have leading international expertise in the following key areas:
- Remediation technologies (water, soil, air)
- Water / wastewater treatment processes (biological, chemical, physical, thermal, plasma)
- Environmental genomics
- Environmental monitoring and analysis
- Waste management and recycling
- Environmental modelling (emissions, odour, noise,dust, air quality)
- Pollution prevention ('Green chemistry')
- Environmental communication
- Renewable energy, (particularly energy from waste)
Here are some documents about QUESTOR , ,
Leader contact:
Brief description of the work performed...
- QUEST carried out a literature search for contribution to Deliverable report.
- QUEST collaborated to the determination of the main physico-chemical and toxicological characteristics of the wastewaters in the colour industries.
- QUEST developed a questionnaire for circulation around all SOPHIED SMEs
- QUEST has undertaken to carry out decolourisation trials of the model wastewater using a conventional activated sludge pilot plant. Decolourisation results from the conventional plant will be compared with decolourisation results using the novel biotreatment systems.
- QUEST has designed and built a pilot plant for toxicity tests on the decolourised model effluent. Preliminary trials and initial problem-solving aspects have now been completed, and the system received the model wastewater.
General information
In brief...
The leading independent leather technology centre, providing essential support services to leather manufacturers, users and retailers.
BLC offers a total solution to the needs of the leather supply chain, from raw sourcing through tanning technology to the finished leather product at retail.
Working with hundreds of companies in over 40 countries we deliver a range of services to keep our customers ahead of the competition.
Established for over 80 years we have the technical pedigree that ensures fast accurate solutions to technical, management or environmental problems.
Leader contact:
Brief description of the work performed...
- BLC provided information for both the dye characteristic and model wastewater reports.
- BLC has expertise in consulting and treating wastewaters from tanneries and extensive knowledge was added to this report. In addition several tanneries were contacted who are known to do some partial treatment of wastewater to find typical dye concentrations in their wastewater.
- BLC does employ a colour chemist and has some knowledge in leather dyes.
General information
In brief...

The University of Westminster prides itself on the quality and range of its research, and its strong links with teaching.
We value and sustain a wide diversity of activity, from scholarly work to practice based research, from international collaborations to professional consultancy with business and government.

With strong links with businesses and industry, the University has a rapidly growing portfolio of knowledge transfer and consultancy work. It was one of seven West London Universities to achieve a significant award two years running from the Higher Education Innovations Fund, to support joint projects in such diverse areas as textile research, psychology, digital film development and biosciences.
Leader contact:
Brief description of the work performed...
- UOW has prepared a dossier based on the literature published over the last 20 years on the structure, classification and types of dyes, degradation the dyes as well as biosynthesis of dyes, micro organisms involved and the role of enzymes particularly laccases.
- UOW carried out extensive studies on the standardization of laccase assay. The output from this experiment was the evaluation of the empirical molar extinction coefficient and the standard enzyme assay protocol to be used by all partners within this project.
- A variety of culture conditions in shaken flasks were studied using three basidiomycetes. In particular, the role of some elicitors and buffers on overproduction of laccases were investigated.
- Eco-physiological studies focusing on the effect of water activity and solute used to amend water activity levels were carried out with different strains. The output from this experiment was used to select the best conditions for inocula seeding for submerged fermentation.
- Experiments on dye decolourisation were carried out using a full factorial design 33 and laccase to find the optimum conditions for dye degradation viz., initial concentrations of the dyes, pH and mediator ABTS.
- Studies on the effect of pH and elicitation on the laccase production were carried out using strains.
- Three sets of experiments on media engineering were preformed to optimise media composition for laccase production. The aim of the fist study was to optimize the medium for the production of laccase using a Plackett-Burman experimental design, a powerful tool for optimization, can analyze the effects of each component and can be used to determine optimal media composition which substantially increases the laccase production.
General information
In brief...
Eubelius is proud to be counted among Belgium's leading business law firms. Since our incorporation in 1994, we have brought together what we believe to be an exceptionally qualified team of lawyers, each of whom is a recognized specialist in his or her area, and has proven expertise in managing transactions and cases so as to achieve practical, innovative solutions to matters that raise novel questions of law and practice.
We believe that in our key practice areas we have developed a level of know how and experience that is second to none, and that allows us to offer our clients a unique level of service in complex national and international business transactions and litigation.
Much of our work involves at least one non-Belgian party and has an outspoken international dimension. Our lawyers have become familiar with many foreign legal systems and concepts and handle matters in English, Dutch, French, and German.
We offer local expertise but have a global perspective. We work in close partnership with our clients to help them achieve their business goals and transactions by offering expert counseling and assistance on Belgian and European Community law. We believe that our independence and focus enable us to pursue and protect our clients' interests to the exclusion of any other consideration.
Leader contact:
Brief description of the work performed...
- EUBE worked on formal contract concluded during the project.
- EUBE collaborated to the management of intellectual properties rights born during the project’s researches.
General information
| Partner: |
Marwik Informatik |
| Country: |
Switzerland |
| Website: |
http://mix.ch |
| Status: |
SME |
| Acronym: |
MARW |
In brief...
During the development of high-tech database kernels for other companies the Swiss engineerWolfram Marwik was confident that such highquality approaches could not be surpassed substantially anymore. However, some problematic restrictions without elegant solutions remained and therefore he never had given up looking to eliminate them. In spring 2003, he finally discovered the long sought perfect solution that with one hit integrates all known deficiencies and turns them to advantages. The idea emerged by observation of biological behavior with its flexible and dynamic information storage and transfer processes as well as by the study of management theories with bee colonies and other organisms. In the meantime different versions of xDBMS have been developed and refined for practical use in everyday life and been extended with various additional modules.
For more information on the database tool
Leader contact:
| Name: |
Wolfram Marwik |
| Mail: |
wm@mix.ch |
| Tel.: |
+41 31 8320141 |
Brief description of the work performed...
- MARW developed a novel database technology to be used for some statistical data collection inside the project. At this time of the project the database is not used.
General information
In brief...
The Department of Organic and Biochemical Chemistry is officially born at the beginning of 2001. The didactic activity and the investigation of the Department are developed in the own sectors of organic Chemistry and the Biochemistry (Area to discipline CHIM06, CHIM11, BIO10 and BIO11).
The School of Specialization in Biotechnological Applications, the Advanced officer training course in Organic Synthesis and the Course of Perfeccionamento in Chemistry of the Natural Substances are mentioned.
With respect to the external activity, the Department is dedicated to the activity of applied investigation, consulting and non institutional Didactics through conventions and contracts decided with beings Public and Deprived
The cultural activities are numerous, as congresses and days of study, that consist with the participation of many Italian and foreign students with who it is created, new scientific collaborations and interactions that take to the D Department of Organic and Biochemical Chemistry to hold fast in the most prestigious institutions of investigation and national and foreign study, European and extraEuropean.
Leader contact:
Brief description of the work performed...
- DCOB contributes to act as scientific reference for the industrial partners and scientific revision of some reports.
- DCOB selected strains with the ability to effectively ad efficiently decolourise and detoxify wastewaters of dye processing and using industries. They normalised procedures to investigate at small-scale (plate and multi-well screening) ecolourisation ability of strains. DCOB developed a normalised procedure that was integrated and then accepted by the other partners. Analyses were performed using this procedure.
- The performances of two micro-organisms to decolourise twelve selected dyes were evaluated by DCOB.
- DCOB collected and analysed results from all the partners, making a proposal of selection on the basis of the ability of the micro-organisms to decolorize most of the chosen dyes.
- In order to improve laccase production by a strain, effects of different nitrogen sources, carbon source concentration, and addition of putative aromatic inducers were analyzed.
- Optimal conditions for a laccase production in glucose-based culture were defined, and time courses of glucose content consumption and pH were analysed.
- Two strictly related laccase isoenzymes have been purified and characterised.
- Structural characteristics of POXA3 small subunits and differences among them were analysed by comparison of the sequences deduced from the encoding genes and the tryptic maps of the proteins. Catalytic activity of either complexes or large subunit alone was analysed.
- Heterologous expression of a strain POXC and POXA1b laccases in the two yeasts was performed.
- Recombinant expression of POXC was carried out using both laccase and killer toxin leader sequence, and intra and extra-cellular laccase production was analysed
- DCOB contributed to draft normalised laboratory protocols and methods.
- The ability of two micro-organisms to decolorize several dyes has been tested.
- The performances of different enzymatic systems were tested.
General information
| Partner: |
Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnolgia |
| Country: |
Portugal |
| Website: |
http://www.ibet.pt |
| Status: |
Research centre |
| Acronym: |
IBET |
In brief...
IBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, is the largest Private-Non-Profit Biotechnology Research Organisation in Portugal. It brings together, as partners and collaborators, public institutions and private companies.
IBET's mission is to foster the competitiveness of its customers and partners, by creating wealth out of knowledge of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Biology. IBET's targeted economic areas are pharmaceuticals and health care, agroforestry, agroindustry and the environment.
In pursuit of its mission, the objectives of lBET are:
- To maintain a leadership role in creating and sustaining excellence in all its teams and collaborations ensuring economic competitiveness.
- To push for faster utilisation of the new biotechnological tools in business activities.
- To train interdisciplinary, creative researchers and developers at the two critical interfaces for biotechnological development: fundamental science/technological application and SandT/business.
- To provide a support infrastructure permitting lower investment costs for Portuguese and international companies willing to start or reinforce biotechnological processes and manufacturing in Portugal.
- To support start up / spin off companies at the incubation stage of their activities.
Find more information on IBETleaflet}
Leader contact:
Brief description of the work performed...
- IBET realized a screening by using 84 bacterial strains has been performed for dye decolourisation and detoxification using normalised procedures. 12 different azo and anthraquinonic dyes were tested at different concentrations
- IBET has cloned the cotA gene coding for a bacterial laccase from a Bacillus in the pPIC9K expression vector placed under the control of the AOX1 promoter and its subsequent expression in the heterologous host strain.
- IBET performed the scale-up conditions and the study of media factors (such as pH and temperature), important in obtaining sufficient quantities of the protein, for biochemical and application studies.
- IBET conducted assays under different pH conditions (between pH 6 and 11) and UV-visible spectra of reaction mixtures were recorded after 10 and 24h.
- IBET has investigated whether some compounds such as aromatics, substituted by hydroxyl groups and amine groups, can be transformed by the CotA-laccase into coloured derivatives by homo or heteromolecular catalysis. Incubation of various compounds with CotA-laccase was performed.
General information
| Partner: |
Istanbul technical University |
| Country: |
Turkey |
| Website: |
http://www.itu.edu.tr |
| Status: |
University |
| Acronym: |
ITU |
In brief...
ITU’s vision is to become a national and international focal point of pioneering studies in the fields of science, technology, social sciences, and the arts.
Mission
As a higher education and research institution dedicated to the advancement of basic and applied sciences, our mission is to educate the technological leaders and entrepreneurs of the future in a rich intellectual environment sensitive to both local and global issues.
Goals and Objectives of ITU in Education and Research.
- Attain international standards
- Be aware of the national and institutional (ITU) values
- Provide interdisciplinary domains
- Help to provide an international and a local competitive edge to industry
- Assist young Turkish universities to build up their faculty, teaching and research substructure
- Build two “Technocity” sites for mutual benefit of university and industry
- Create intersections of engineering, architecture and science education and research with music, art, fashion, humanities and social sciences
- Establish worldwide known centers of excellence
Leader contact:
Brief description of the work performed...
- Media optimization studies were conducted at ITU for optimum pigment production and laccase activity, respectively.
- Molecular biological studies were conducted in parallel with physiological studies
- Screening of the genome of a strain with PCR method by using the degenerate primers specific to highly conserved copper-binding regions I and IV of known laccases was performed to obtain laccase-gene-specific sequences and a 1.6 kbp fragment was amplified.
- To obtain 3’ and 5’ ends of the laccase cDNA 5’-3’-RACE protocols were used and a 1.2 kb fragment was amplified by using 3’RACE system and two different partial cDNA sequences were identified with giving high homology to all known laccase open reading frames (PS lcc1 and lcc2) and lcc1 cDNA was detected dominantly in the constructed cDNA library.
General information
| Partner: |
UFZ- Umweltforschungszentrum Leipzig-Halle GmbH |
| Country: |
Germany |
| Website: |
http://www.ufz.de |
| Status: |
SME |
| Acronym: |
UFZ |
In brief...
The Helmholtz Mission

- Focus on prevention:
Cutting-edge research helps to solve pressing problems
- Thinking and building big:
Building and operating complex infrastructures and large-scale equipment for the international research community
- Knowledge has an impact:
Putting research findings into practice for the benefit of society and industry
UFZ’s programmes in the Research Area „Earth and Environment“:
Energy
Earth and Environment
Health
Key Technologies
Structure of Matter
Transport and Space
Geosystem: The Changing Earth
Atmosphere and Climate
Marine, Coastal and Polar Systems
Biogeosystems: Dynamics and Adaptation
Sustainable Use of Landscapes
Sustainable Development and Technology


1. Developing cities sustainably 2. Managing contaminated soils and groundwater 3. Sustainable remediation and use of mining lakes 4. Using mircobiological diversity for the environment and health 5. Preserving biodiversity 6. Managing water resources in river basins 7. Governance and institutions – understanding decision making 8. Integrated assessment of environmental conflicts / development of decision support tools 9. Identifying environment-related adverse health impacts 10. Protecting and regenerating water resources 11. Making synthesis and catalyses sustainable 12. Temporal and spatial trends of climate
Leader contact:
Brief description of the work performed...
UFZ has performed a screening of aquatic and white-rot fungi available from its strain collection. 69 Strains of aquatic fungi and two white-rot fungi were pre-screened for dye decolourisation under non-standardised conditions at 14°C. Positive strains (24 aquatic strains and the two white-rot fungi) were selected and screened for dye decolourisation in a standardised agar plate screening protocol. Most promising strains (7 aquatic strains and the two white-rot fungi) were subjected to a standardised micro-titre plate screening
In a preliminary toxicity testing using 11 different dyes and normalized methods identified for comparability among partners, these strains have been assessed in shaking flasks and samples for toxicity testing were provided to others partners.
UFZ focused on microbial physiology (optimization and enhancement of enzyme production) and enzymology (purification and characterization).
Growth and laccase production was studied in shaking flasks, using different complex media
UFZ focused on growth studies of aquatic fungi, decolourisation studies with whole cells, and immobilisation of whole fungal cells for the use in bioreactors.
General information
| Partner: |
STAB Tratamento de agues e biotecnologia, LDA |
| Country: |
Portugal |
| Website: |
http://www.stabvida.com |
| Status: |
SME |
| Acronym: |
STAB |
In brief...
Created mid 2000 and with the intent to develop genetic products and services in Portugal, STAB VIDA is one of the 5 companies participated by GRUPO STAB, an organization with a strong science-to-commerce focus and backed by PME Capital SA and Caixa Capital, SA.
STAB VIDA currently provides genetic services including DNA sequencing, oligo synthesis, DNA arrays, genotyping, and small genome sequencing, as well as Legionella and Dekkera testing.
STAB VIDA’s advances in the market, backed by its R and D efforts, were recognized when the company was recently awarded by COTEC (www.cotec.pt) as one of the 24 innovator Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME), which was underwritten by Portugal’s business guru Belmiro de Azevedo
At present, the company operates from an established customer base in the life sciences community, governmental institutions, biotech companies, and hospitals. With the increasing demand for genetic testing in animals, humans, as well as in other specialized genetic services, the company is well positioned for the future.
STAB VIDA aims to be “The home for gene technology” in Iberia and earn a reputation in Europe for high quality genetic research and services upon which it can expand to additional profitable markets.
Leader contact:
Brief description of the work performed...
- STAB participated in the report on characteristics and economic aspects in the wastewaters of the dye processing and dye application industries as well a “wish list” of alternative routes for wastewater treatment, and the design of the synthetic model effluent for screening activities.”
- STAB participated to the selection of micro-organisms for wastewater treatment includes the use of bacterial strains.
- STAB has developed many tools to work with a strain (including transformation, conjugation, transposon mutagenesis, and a wide variety of vectors and reporter systems), so that their genetic manipulation is relatively straightforward.
- STAB aimed to perform genome fragment sequencing of a strain which has great biotechnological potential, including for the dye industry. STAB aimed to determinate the DNA sequence of genome regions of bacterium strain. Data emerging from this task may be explored to design new strategies to produce novel dyes.
- STAB tried to characterize the wild type and novel recombinant enzymes from a catalytic and functional point of view to improve their use in free or immobilised forms.
General information
In brief...
LA TINTORIA GORI MANIFATTURA LUCCHESE LANE E FIBRE S.R.L. is a company located in Porcari which operates in the textile and clothing sector by developing the natural and synthetic silk strands dyeing activity since 1989. The Gori family has worked hard even since 1962 when the actual owners the Soci family bought the company, to bring her to the highest level in this sector. It was very difficult because the company was in a bad economical position and it had all kind of management problems.
The reestablishment of this company was an ambitious challenge in which the Soci family succeeded. Now the “Gori dyeing Company” is an avant-garde company, uses hightechnologies, and takes one of the first places in the field of performed services and products quality. The “Gori dyeing Company” relishes of a digital system for the mixture of chemical products and dyeing aids. More, they also have a centralised system which enables the individualisation of the product in each phase of the process. Each effort of development made by the company was to pursuit the performance of a better quality for their products. And this policy has allowed the company to collaborate with the most important companies in the sector following the same aim of quality.
Leader contact:
Brief description of the work performed...
GORI brought to the project the professional expertise in the textile sector.
General information
In brief...
Setas makes all the quality and process controls starting at the very early stages of product development until the supplies reach to the customers. To establish the quality and process controls Setas has seven laboratories that are all equipped with the latest technologies in Çerkezköy, Turkey
We sell our products not only in Turkey
Setas received ISO-9001 certificate in 1995 and ISO-14001 certificate in the year of 2000 to provide production standardization and quality consciousness at our company and our products.
Recently in 2003, Setas became a member of ETAD (Ecological and Toxicological Association of Dyes and Organic Pigments Manufacturers) which has 44 members on four continents around the world. Setas also got ISO 9001-2000 version while improvements are being made to our quality systems.
Leader contact:
Brief description of the work performed...
- SETAS investigated alternative biosynthetic pathways to be used in the production of existing dyes.
- SETAS tried to identify the short-, medium-, and long-term needs of the SME’s in the dye producer and user sectors (textile, leather and cosmetics) as well as the definition of the scientific and technological needs of the participating SME’s concerning the objectives of this project.
- SETAS worked to the standardization of effluent in order to develop wastewater treatment.
General information
| Partner: |
Labor Grieder |
| Country: |
Switzerland |
| Website: |
|
| Status: |
Research centre |
| Acronym: |
GRIED |
In brief...
Leader contact:
Brief description of the work performed...
- GRIED developed a strategic proposal for the subtask cosmetic industry.
- GRIED worked out on overview of natural dyes and has given 2 strategies for precursors that could potentially be biotransformed into “existing” dyes).
- GRIED worked out an experimental method for extracting a plant dye precursor.
General information
In brief...
We believe that the long-term success of an organisation depends not on any formulaic approach but rather on working closely with all the people in that organisation.
Our approach focuses on the development of the men and women who make up the organisation.
In order to become more effective and to increase levels of employee satisfaction, an organisation must make full use of everybody's potential.
We seek to develop empowerment and semi-autonomous teamwork. We help the management position itself in its threefold role:
- Steering or managing progress
- Coordinating or managing operations
- Orchestrating or managing relations
Find more information on the company click
Leader contact:
Brief description of the work performed...
LAPLIB coached the coordinator and the management team in order to improve the efficiency of communication between the different partners of the project.
General information
| Partner: |
Catholic University of Louvain Faculty of Bioengineering, Agronomy and Environment |
| Country: |
Belgium |
| Website: |
http://www.ucl.ac.be |
| Status: |
University |
| Acronym: |
UCL |
In brief...
The laboratory of Mycology, led by Prof. A-M Corbisier, hosts a collection of fungi and yeast which belongs to the consortium of 4 complementary research-based Belgian culture collections (BCCM). Several research projects within the laboratory aim to valorise the collection, involving approximately 3000 strains that have been screened, characterized and/or used in new processes.
For instance, wood-decaying fungi (white rot fungi) are being studied for their involvement in processes of biodegradation and detoxification of organic textile dyes, using enzymatic, molecular, cyto- and genotoxicity approaches.
The main objectives of the laboratory are the preservation and characterization of a biological resources centre (BRC) of living strains and the development and consolidation of a scientific expertise in the taxonomy, ecology and physiology of fungi.
The Mycology laboratory has developed expertise in 3 important sectors: - Agro-food industry
- Fungal biodiversity
- Mycorrhizal fungi (application in agriculture and environment)
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Brief description of the work performed...
- UCL performed analysis of the dye market to determine some current shortcomings of the existing dyes and changes required to improve it, and create the next generation dyes (standards,market, cost...).
- When the targets were decided, UCL realised the analysis of the molecules already produced in the nature as well as a survey of the fungi referred as producing them. These data served as a basis to propose some strategies to the partners to synthesize existing dyes and create new dyes.
UCL has then worked on the design and proposal of possible precursors for screening activities.
UCL has also participated in the determination of characteristics and economic aspects in the wastewaters of the dye processing and dye application industries and the design of the synthetic model effluent for screening activities.
UCL has also contributed to the project by the sending of strains identified as decolourizing and detoxifying dyes to other partners and the elaboration protocols (laccase measurement, colour measurement, BOD, COD, model wastewater, laccase assays, solvent for insoluble anthraquinonic dyes in water, optimal NY3 concentration and time for its biotransformation process, preparation of a mix Ethanol/Water solvent for anthraquinonic dyes not soluble in water, capillary Electrophoresis, dyeing assays of wool…).with the aim of performing common experiments, to be able to compare results of decolourization and detoxification of strains studied in different laboratories and to perform screening of strains for colour forming ability.
From the screening, 8 strains which naturally produced coloured molecules were selected for further investigation. Precursors were also transformed and 7 strains were proposed to be studied.
UCL has worked for the preparation of the SOPHIED collection and the register of strains is available in the private zone of the website. A mission has been performed in Senegal to prepare the collection, localize interesting sites to collect, identify potential local partners and administrative authorizations necessary to respect the Rio Biodiversity Convention.
A work was performed on the development of a method for water treatment with enzymes. Firstly, using free enzymes progress has been made in the characterization of the enzymes prior to immobilization, and in studies on the effect of environmental factors on the free enzymes – including the effect of sodium chloride, sulfate, pH and temperature: all of which are likely to be sub-optimal in certain process waste streams.
UCL has investigated the enhancement of enzyme activities with mediators – this applies especially to the laccases. UCL then worked on immobilization on glass beads. Data gathered on the behaviour of enzymes present under these conditions will be applicable to the other immobilization supports being considered.
UCL focused on the optimisation of the conditions of the experiments and standardisation of the methods for colour formation in liquid medium (micro-plate).
Based on a preliminary screening, 12 fungal strains belonging to different species, were tested for their ability to synthesize natural coloured molecules in liquid media.
UCL participated in the selection of fast screening method for the measurement of toxicity of wastewater or dyes, as well as the elaboration protocol for toxicity testing on Caco2 human cells.
UCL carried out work concerning the organization of information circulation between partners: creation of the SOPHIED news and participation to the design and update of the private zone of the website.
UCL has performed an intensive analysis of existing legislation as well as a technological survey of patent database.
Concerning the Intellectual Properties Rights, UCL has prepared a procedure to determine, in a quantified way based on the reports, the sharing of IPR among partners.
General information
| Partner: |
Maria Curie Sklodowska University |
| Country: |
Poland |
| Website: |
http://www.umcs.lublin.pl |
| Status: |
University |
| Acronym: |
CURIE |
In brief...
We are a public higher education institution, which has acted constantly since 1944 for the development and dissemination of knowledge. During this period, almost one hundred and thirty-seven thousand students have graduated from our university while three thousand doctor’s degrees and 640 habilitated doctor’s degrees have been awarded.Our researches conducted in results have been repeatedly used in practice. We are striving to be the university with the highest level of academic research and education. In order to meet this challenge we participate in national and international research rogramme, we develop cooperation with leading domestic and foreign academic and research centres, and we also enable students to take part in interuniversity exchange programmes.
The Faculty of Biology and EarthSciences, founded in 1944, is made of Institute of Biology, Institute of Biology, Insitute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Earth Sciences, and Department of Biochemistry. 4 study programmes are offered with 12 specializations. The faculty has under its care laboratories, the Botanical Garden, the Roztocze Scientific Station at Guciów and the research station at Calypsobyen in Belsund arear in West Spits-bergen. The Faculty’s rich resources include a library collection with bibliophilic treasures, a herbarium museum with unique plant species, a zoological museum, and a cartographic collection with valuable copies of maps.
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Brief description of the work performed...
- CURIE tested fungal and bacterial strains at small-scale (plate and micro-well culture) for decolourization ability.
- CURIE has tested 29 fungal strains about proven decolourizing ability and 10 strains of soil bacteria for decolourization the textile dyes (30-1000 ppm) about different chemical structures.
- CURIE has studied the potential of examined strains to secretion extracellular oxidative factors both enzymatic and non-enzymatic
- CURIE has screened the strains capable of producing coloured molecules. 20 different fungal strains from CURIE fungal collection were studied and tested under the same growth conditions in four different solid media.
- CURIE has screened 12 fungal strains to test their ability to chemically biotransform synthesized precursors to produce coloured molecules, that are biodegradable and less toxic.
- CURIE used four dyes about different chemical structure and their decolourization was measured spectrophotometrically.
- CURIE had checked the influence of NaCl and (NH4)2SO4 on the growth six fungal strains, which are very effective in the decolourisation twelve model dyes.
General information
| Partner: |
Celabor SCRL |
| Country: |
Belgium |
| Website: |
http://www.celabor.be |
| Status: |
Research centre |
| Acronym: |
CELA |
In brief...
A center providing technical and scientific services to enterprises and administrations
A multidisciplinary team of scientists A research centre founded in 1995 as a co-operative company (SCRL)
Founded by: The Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of the arrondissement of Verviers Centexbel, or the Scientific and Technological Centre of the Belgian Textile Industry The Walloon Region
CELABOR is ISO 17025 certificated. This international standard describes the competence requirements for test laboratories in terms of quality control and testing. The accreditation is issued in Belgium by Belac
The list of tests for which CELABOR is accredited is available at www.belac.fgov.be.
CELABOR aims at continual improvement as a way to systematically broaden the scope of areas for which it is accredited.
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Brief description of the work performed...
- CELA developed a part of the report relative to the existing dyes, the legislation about it and the future legislation (reach for example). CELA participated to the choice of the future in the dye market.
- CELA developed a part of the report concerning the characteristics of the waste water in the textile industry, proposed a wish list of new solutions in the purification of waste water based on his experience and on the Best Available Technologies (BAT).
- CELA helped the other partners for the definition of the synthetic model effluents.
- CELA developed a part of the report on the normalisation of the standard tests on waste water.
General information
In brief...
Our field of research is
Molecular Spectroscopy
Relaxation Mechanisms of Transition Metal Ions in solution studied by EPR and FT-NMR Spectroscopies ( Copper, Manganous ion, Iron nitrosyl group, etc).
Structural and dynamical studies on complexes of Transition Metal ions (Cu, Mn, Fe, V etc) with Aminoacids, Peptides and Proteins in liquid and solid phases.
Multifrequency-EPR of Copper (II) complexes in liquid and solid phases: i.Determination of Spin Hamiltonian Magnetic Parameters and Correlation Times by Computer Simulation of EPR spectra at Multifrequency and Sensitivity Analisys on Biomodel systems. ii.Structure/activity relationships in Copper Complexes antitumoral drugs (Bleomycine, Thiosemicarbazones etc). iii.Binary and ternary complexes of Copper with Phenanthrol and Cinnamic acids.
Computer simulation of EPR spectra in Slow Motion regime Multifrequency.
Applications of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopies to problems in Ecology, Biophysical Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacology at molecular level.

Ecological Physical Chemistry
Implementation of thermodynamic models for efficient and rationale use of Energy
Territorial energy balances, assessment of complex systems (natural resources), energy-saving plans and renewable energies development
Model of Environmental pollution from energy activities
Indicator for sustainable use of Natural Resources and Energy Sources (Agenda 21 at regional scale).
SIENA point of view on the
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Brief description of the work performed...
- SIENA performed measurements on molecular characterization of enzymes and on industrial dyes degradation under different experimental conditions.
- A laccase has been tested on RB5, RV5 and Acid Red 186 (AR186). These preliminary results allowed to define the optimal conditions for dye degradation in order to apply to the real wastewater effluents.
- SIENA has focused the research to evaluate optimal conditions for the dye decolourisation by laccases and peroxidases.
- Single dye has been tested in order to determine the optimal experimental conditions.
- SIENA investigated procedures reported in literature about the “new synthesis pathways for existing dyes”.
- SIENA characterized chemically coloured synthesized compounds and supported others partners for all chemical aspects involved in biosynthesis of new dyes with favourable characteristics.
General information
In brief...
Antiba is leather, shoes and bags Representation Company put in place in 2000. We are part of a large group which is made of very competitive companies, offering high level of quality, placed strategically in economical geographical areas. We remain in constant contact with our dislocated companies trying to promote and develop their business. We have subsidiary companies in China, in Dongguan, in India, in Chennai, in Agra with Italian employees to provide the best sale service in those areas. We can guarantee a certificate and quality service.
We are the first company of commercial representation in the leather sector to have received a reward for the quality level of our products and our management system due to our respect for the UNI EN ISO 9001:2000. Ente certificatore I.CE.C - Milano – IT rules.
We have also a laboratory and a testing system service which assures the quality of our products.
We have to point the fact that with this effective and strategic group of dislocated companies we get a couple of very interesting new affairs. The strength of our group is to give fame to the “made in Italy” label, by exporting our Italian fashion refined taste. This one is put in place by the avant-garde performance of our services all over the world.
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Brief description of the work performed...
- In order to furnish comprehensive data on the leather sector, ANTI realized an analysis of internal dyes used or available on the market.
- As in the leather sector the products sell to the company are characterized by commercial name and way to use manuals ANTI performed some literatures research to furnish data on the basis of chemical colour index, completed with toxicological information or safety information.
- ANTI coloured some sample of leather to understand what kind of problems they could have using them in their production.
- ANTI furnished data on composition of bath before and after the colouring process.
- In order to furnish data on the waste waters of our sector ANTI performed further trials than to understand what type of dyes used in our sector could be more suitable for the microbial or enzymatic treatment of waste waters
- ANTI analysed on a documental field and in few cases on experimental basis if the suggested types of dyes could be suitable for their production.
General information
| Partner: |
Rayon textile industries and foreign trade co Ltd |
| Country: |
Turkey |
| Website: |
http://rayon.com.tr |
| Status: |
SME |
| Acronym: |
RAYON |
In brief...
Leader contact:
Brief description of the work performed...
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