Enzymes for a Greener Future: Innovating
Bio-Based Polymers
Utilizing enzyme engineering to create sustainable, recyclable polymers and drive the transition to a circular economy.
Enzymes for a Greener Future: Innovating
Bio-Based Polymers
Utilizing enzyme engineering to create sustainable, recyclable polymers and drive the transition to a circular economy.
What is COMENZE?
COMENZE—Computational Enzyme Engineering for Sustainable Polymer Design is a research project driving innovation in bio-based polymer development through advanced enzyme engineering.
COMENZE—Computational Enzyme Engineering for Sustainable Polymer Design is a research project driving innovation in bio-based polymer development through advanced enzyme engineering.
WHY?
Polymers are essential in modern life, forming the basis of countless products. However, most are synthetic—polyesters (e.g., PET), polyamides (e.g., nylon), and polyurethanes (PU)—and pose environmental challenges due to slow biodegradability, fossil resource dependence, and recycling difficulties. Incineration, the dominant disposal method, also drives CO₂ emissions.
Bio-based polymers offer a sustainable alternative but currently makeup only 2% of the global market. A circular polymer economy requires shifting from fossil-based materials to renewable feedstocks and implementing efficient recycling and degradation strategies.
Biocatalysis is a key green technology in polymer science.
Enzymatic functionalization enables controlled polymer degradation via:
Challenges include enzyme cost, stability, solvent compatibility, and activity on non-natural substrates. Optimizing enzyme-polymer interactions requires innovative approaches in enzyme engineering, bio-based substrate selection, and reaction condition optimization.
Computational tools have transformed enzyme engineering for small molecules but remain inadequate for enzyme-polymer interactions. Directed evolution, while effective for natural substrates, cannot fully capture complex polymer interactions. The lack of experimental data further complicates modeling.
COMENZE integrates computational and experimental approaches to develop a robust enzyme design pipeline. High-throughput virtual screening software will accelerate enzyme optimization for polymer applications. Combine computational and experimental methods for designing sustainable polymers by functionalizing monomers before polymerization and/or post-polymerization modifications
At the core of COMENZE is the training of ten Doctoral Candidates (DCs), equipping them with the skills to drive future breakthroughs in sustainable materials science. By fostering collaboration between academia and industry, COMENZE supports the goals of the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan.
Research & Innovation
COMENZE explores new ways to design, modify, and recycle bio-based polymers using enzyme engineering. The project integrates computational enzyme discovery with experimental validation, enabling tailored enzyme design for enhancing polymer chemical recyclability and biodegradation.
The research is structured into three interconnected work packages (WPs):
These work packages support ten Individual Research Projects (IRPs), each addressing specific challenges in enzyme-driven polymer transformation.
Who is behind COMENZE?
COMENZE brings together 13 leading institutions from across Europe, including universities, research centers, and industrial partners. This diverse collaboration ensures a strong interdisciplinary approach, combining enzyme engineering, computational modeling, and industrial expertise to drive innovation in sustainable polymer solutions.
COMENZE brings together 13 leading institutions from across Europe, including universities, research centers, and industrial partners. This diverse collaboration ensures a strong interdisciplinary approach, combining enzyme engineering, computational modeling, and industrial expertise to drive innovation in sustainable polymer solutions.
The project is coordinated by Lígia Martins (ITQB NOVA, Portugal), who leads the Project Management Team, overseeing research progress, training activities, and collaboration efforts.
Under her guidance, COMENZE connects experts across academia and industry to develop cutting-edge enzymatic strategies for polymer sustainability.
The project is coordinated by Prof. Lígia O. Martins (ITQB NOVA, Portugal), who leads the Project Management Team, overseeing research progress, training activities, and collaboration efforts.
Under her guidance, COMENZE connects experts across academia and industry to develop cutting-edge enzymatic strategies for polymer sustainability.
The Project Support Management Team is hosted at ITQB/UNL (Funding, Accounting, Human Resources, and Communication Departments) and includes a dedicated Project Manager:
The Project Support Management Team is hosted at ITQB/UNL (Funding, Accounting, Human Resources, and Communication Departments) and includes a dedicated Project Manager:
David Pina holds a PhD in Structural Stability of Proteins (2004). He conducted postdoctoral research at the Curie Institute in Paris and the University of Cambridge, UK.
In 2007, he joined the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation of the EC, and in 2009, he moved to REA, where he has taken on increasingly senior roles across various Framework Programmes. Most recently, he served as Head of Sector for Administration and Finance. Currently on sabbatical leave, David will be working part-time as the COMENZE Project Manager.
The Project Support Management Team will be supported by Marco Fraaije (RUG) as Training Manager, Silvia Osuna (UdG) as Communication Manager, and Nikola Loncar (GECCO) as Innovation Manager (IM).
The project Supervisory Board (SB) comprises one representative per beneficiary and associated partner and will also include representatives from the recruited Doctoral Candidates (DCs). The SB will coordinate the supervised training activities.
An external Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) will be involved in commenting critically on the research and training activities of COMENZE and suggesting new directions where appropriate.
The Project Support Management Team will be supported by Marco Fraaije (RUG) as Training Manager, Silvia Osuna (UdG) as Communication Manager, and Nikola Loncar (GECCO) as Innovation Manager (IM).
The project Supervisory Board (SB) comprises one representative per beneficiary and associated partner and will also include representatives from the recruited Doctoral Candidates (DCs). The SB will coordinate the supervised training activities.
An external Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) will be involved in commenting critically on the research and training activities of COMENZE and suggesting new directions where appropriate.
EU Funding & Support
COMENZE is funded by the European Union, enabling groundbreaking research and training for the next generation of enzyme engineers. The project contributes to key EU sustainability goals, including climate neutrality, zero pollution, and the transition to a bio-based economy.
EU Funding & Support
COMENZE is funded by the European Union, enabling groundbreaking research and training for the next generation of enzyme engineers. The project contributes to key EU sustainability goals, including climate neutrality, zero pollution, and the transition to a bio-based economy.
Commitment to Gender Balance, Diversity, Inclusiveness, and Equity
Commitment to
Gender Balance,
Diversity, Inclusiveness
and Equity
At COMENZE, we are deeply committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable research environment where all doctoral candidates have equal opportunities to thrive. We actively champion gender balance by encouraging applications from female candidates, offering mentorship, and ensuring women are represented at all program levels.
We believe diversity in all its forms—whether related to gender, ethnicity, cultural background, academic discipline, or lived experience—enhances creativity, strengthens innovation, and drives scientific excellence. By celebrating these differences, we cultivate a vibrant, multidisciplinary, and international research community where diverse perspectives are valued.
Our approach is centered on inclusiveness, where every individual is respected, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. We recognize the importance of diverse role models and strive to ensure balanced representation across the program.
We are dedicated to equity by removing barriers that hinder access to opportunities. Our policies, including transparent recruitment, mentorship support, and bias-awareness training, ensure fair treatment for all participants. We also promote flexible working conditions that support work-life balance, enabling all candidates to succeed regardless of their background or personal circumstances.
Through these efforts, we aim to build a collaborative, respectful, and thriving research culture that reflects our fairness, empowerment, and excellence values.
At COMENZE, we are deeply committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable research environment where all doctoral candidates have equal opportunities to thrive. We actively champion gender balance by encouraging applications from female candidates, offering mentorship, and ensuring women are represented at all program levels.
We believe diversity in all its forms—whether related to gender, ethnicity, cultural background, academic discipline, or lived experience—enhances creativity, strengthens innovation, and drives scientific excellence. By celebrating these differences, we cultivate a vibrant, multidisciplinary, and international research community where diverse perspectives are valued.
Our approach is centered on inclusiveness, where every individual is respected, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. We recognize the importance of diverse role models and strive to ensure balanced representation across the program.
We are dedicated to equity by removing barriers that hinder access to opportunities. Our policies, including transparent recruitment, mentorship support, and bias-awareness training, ensure fair treatment for all participants. We also promote flexible working conditions that support work-life balance, enabling all candidates to succeed regardless of their background or personal circumstances.
Through these efforts, we aim to build a collaborative, respectful, and thriving research culture that reflects our fairness, empowerment, and excellence values.
Discover more!
Want to explore the people, research, and innovation behind COMENZE?
Learn more through the following pages:
