CFAs: Optimizing Enzyme Innovation for Industrial Plant-Based Processing

Deadline: 07-Nov-2026

Roquette is inviting innovators worldwide to develop custom enzyme solutions that can improve the processing of plant-based ingredients for industrial applications. The initiative seeks breakthrough approaches for optimizing enzymatic reactions used in the bio-industry and food sectors, with an emphasis on sustainability, efficiency, and innovative scientific solutions.

About the Roquette Enzyme Innovation Challenge

Roquette has launched this global innovation call to identify new approaches for developing and optimizing custom enzymes for plant-based ingredient processing. The program is designed to support innovative solutions that can improve industrial processes involving plant-based materials. Applicants can use enzyme engineering, AI-driven protein design, or other differentiated scientific approaches to address the challenges. AI-based approaches are welcome but are not mandatory. What Challenges Does the Program Address? The call focuses on three specific scientific and industrial challenges:

- Second-generation bioethanol: Develop enzymes that can improve the efficiency of second-generation bioethanol production from wheat and maize fiber fractions.

- Custom alpha-amylase: Engineer custom alpha-amylase for precise starch hydrolysis in food and specialized nutrition applications.

- Plant protein processing: Develop enzymatic solutions that can release more free amino acids from plant proteins such as corn and pea.

Applicants may choose to address one or multiple challenges. Who Can Apply? The opportunity is open to innovators and research organizations from all geographies.

Eligible applicants include:

- Startups. - Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). - Academic laboratories. - Research institutes. Applicants should be able to demonstrate a differentiated scientific approach and have the capability to develop and test their proposed solutions at laboratory scale. What Solutions Is Roquette Looking For? Roquette is seeking innovative approaches that can improve enzymatic processing of plant-based ingredients.

Potential approaches may include:

- Custom enzyme development. - Enzyme engineering. - AI-driven protein design. - Novel approaches for optimizing enzymatic reactions. - Laboratory-scale development and testing of enzyme solutions. - Solutions that improve sustainability and industrial efficiency. AI-driven protein design can be used but is not a requirement for participation. How Does the Challenge Work? Selected applicants will have the opportunity to present their proposals during a pitch session before Roquette R&D experts. The strongest proposals may then advance to a proof of concept phase, where the proposed solution can be further explored and tested. Successful development could also create opportunities for long-term industrial collaboration with Roquette. What Should Applicants Demonstrate?

Applicants should be able to show:

- A differentiated scientific approach. - A clear solution to one or more of the identified challenges. - The ability to develop the proposed enzyme solution. - Laboratory-scale testing capabilities. - Potential relevance to industrial plant-based ingredient processing. Key Facts About the Roquette Enzyme Innovation Challenge

- Organizer: Roquette

- Geographic scope: Worldwide

- Focus: Custom enzyme solutions for plant-based ingredient processing

- Eligible applicants: Startups, SMEs, academic labs, and research institutes

- Challenges: Three

- Challenge areas: Bioethanol production, starch hydrolysis, and plant protein processing

- AI-driven protein design: Welcome but not mandatory

- Development stage: Laboratory scale

- Selection process: Pitch session before Roquette R&D experts

- Next stage: Proof of concept for the strongest proposals

- Potential opportunity: Long-term industrial collaboration

Frequently Asked Questions About the Roquette Enzyme Innovation Challenge What is the Roquette Enzyme Innovation Challenge? It is a global innovation call seeking custom enzyme solutions to optimize the processing of plant-based ingredients for industrial applications. Who can apply to the challenge? Startups, SMEs, academic laboratories, and research institutes from all geographies can apply. How many challenges are included in the program? The program includes three challenges covering second-generation bioethanol production, custom alpha-amylase for starch hydrolysis, and improved release of free amino acids from plant proteins. Can applicants address more than one challenge? Yes. Applicants may address one or multiple challenges. Is AI-driven protein design required? No. AI-driven protein design approaches are welcome, but they are not mandatory. What should applicants be capable of doing? Applicants should have a differentiated scientific approach and the capability to develop and test their proposed solutions at laboratory scale. What happens after applications are selected? Selected applicants will participate in a pitch session before Roquette R&D experts. The strongest proposals may advance to a proof of concept phase. Can the challenge lead to further collaboration? Yes. The strongest solutions may have the potential to lead to long-term industrial collaboration with Roquette. Conclusion The Roquette Enzyme Innovation Challenge provides a global opportunity for startups, SMEs, academic labs, and research institutes to develop innovative enzyme solutions for plant-based ingredient processing. With three challenges covering bioethanol production, starch hydrolysis, and plant protein processing, the initiative is seeking scientifically differentiated solutions that can improve industrial efficiency and sustainability. Selected innovators can pitch their ideas to Roquette R&D experts, with the strongest proposals potentially progressing to proof of concept and long-term industrial collaboration. For more information, visit Plug and Play Tech Center.