BELAIR is a start-up company working in the field of industrial pollution monitoring and biodegradation of toxic organic compounds. We place a special emphasis on volatile organic compounds in air, wastewater and soils. The first step is to identify the pollutants, their location and and by how much they should be reduced. The impact of indoor air pollution on human life and the environment is conducted in order to assess the compliance with the current European legislation. Following the analysis, BELAIR design a tailor-made solution to reduce emissions of pollutants using biological treatment technology. The main pollutants of interest are hydrocarbons, substitued organic

Technology overview

BELAIR makes use of a strong research background provided by EPFL Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, the University of Lausanne and the University of Geneva. BELAIR is now conducting an innovative European project called 'BIOMAC' (Bio-reactor for Mass-culture of Bacteria)

The aim of this project is to upgrade conventional cultivation techniques for mass production of bacterial communities. Such specialized bacterial communities may be used as a cost effective and very efficient agent for the clean-up of industrial off-gases, the treatment of industrial wastewater containing toxic organic compounds, the biodegradation of pollutants in soils or even groundwater. The challenge is to design a new generation of bio-reactors that produce large quantities of bacteria in 4-fold less time as conventional production systems. The cultivation technique of bacteria called 'SPB Substrate Pulse Batch' technique is not just a research platform. A pilot-project is running successfully in Switzerland.

Perspective

Specialized bacteria are needed in production process of the following industries: Paper mills, petrochemicals, food and beverage, manufactures of plastic goods, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, etc.

We are seeking partners to find new opportunities, new applications to further develop the SPB-technology. For more details, please visit the web site http://www.eureka.be/ project (code BIOMAC). The project has received the approval and funding by the CTI Swiss technology and innovation agency.