On 17 June 2026, the Kick-Off Meeting of the European project PACE (Potato Juice to Fatty Acids for New Bio-based Value-Chains in Europe) took place in Amsterdam, officially launching a four-year initiative dedicated to advancing circular bioeconomy solutions across Europe.
Funded by the European Union, PACE brings together 10 partners from 6 European countries with a common ambition: to demonstrate at industrial scale how an underutilised side-stream from the potato processing industry can be transformed into valuable bio-based chemical building blocks.
During the Kick-Off Meeting, project partners aligned on the project's objectives, implementation roadmap and upcoming activities. Discussions focused on the technical, industrial, sustainability and market uptake dimensions of the project, while also establishing the framework for communication, dissemination and exploitation activities throughout the project's lifetime.
Why PACE Matters
As Europe accelerates its transition towards a climate-neutral and resource-efficient economy, there is an increasing need to reduce dependency on fossil-based feedstocks and unsustainable raw materials.
PACE addresses this challenge by valorising potato juice, a side-stream generated during potato starch production, and converting it into Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFAs) through advanced fermentation and microbial chain elongation technologies.
The project will establish Europe's first full-scale retrofitted biorefinery dedicated to this process by upgrading existing industrial infrastructure at Royal Avebe's production facilities in the Netherlands. This approach demonstrates how circular solutions can be successfully integrated into existing industrial systems, creating high-value products while maximising resource efficiency.
The bio-based MCFAs produced within PACE will be validated for a range of industrial applications, supporting the development of more sustainable and resilient value chains for the European chemical sector.
The PACE Consortium
PACE is coordinated by ChainCraft BV (Netherlands) and brings together a multidisciplinary consortium of industrial, research and innovation organisations:
ChainCraft BV – Netherlands (Coordinator)
Royal Avebe – Netherlands
Innovad – Belgium
Ecover Coordination Center – Belgium
LEITAT – Spain
PDC Research Foundation – Netherlands
Anorel NV – Belgium
ena Development Consultants – Greece
Syensqo France – France
Symrise AG – Germany
ena Development Consultants at the Kick-Off Meeting
ena Development Consultants actively participated in the project's Kick-Off Meeting, represented by Stella Bazdani, Coordinator of Public Sector Consulting Services & European Programmes, and Maria Karyofylaki, Marketing Executive.
The meeting provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen collaboration among partners, align communication objectives and establish the foundations for the project's dissemination and stakeholder engagement activities.
The Role of ena Development Consultants
Within PACE, ena Development Consultants is responsible for communication, dissemination and exploitation activities, supporting the project's visibility and maximising its impact across European stakeholder communities.
Key responsibilities include:
Designing and implementing the project's communication strategy
Disseminating project results to relevant target groups
Supporting stakeholder engagement and collaboration activities
Promoting the uptake and exploitation of project outcomes
Increasing awareness of innovative circular bioeconomy solutions developed within the project
By contributing to PACE, ena Development Consultants continues its commitment to supporting European initiatives that promote sustainability, innovation and the transition towards a circular economy.
With strong partnerships, ambitious objectives and a clear vision for the future of circular chemistry, PACE is set to demonstrate how industrial side-streams can become valuable resources, helping Europe build more sustainable and competitive bio-based value chains.
For more information about the project, visit: https://pace-project.eu/
