Our offers
As of 2025, the innovation center has about twenty staff members and will expand progressively as projects develop. It is organized around four main areas:
Screening and small-volume fermentation:
Microfluidic equipment and 24 bioreactors up to 2 liters, conventional microbiology equipment, an area dedicated to molecular biology and flow cytometry, with the capability to perform manipulations in an anaerobic environment.
Food bioprocessing and prototyping:
4 bioreactors of 2-5 liters, 6 bioreactors of 10 liters, and 1 bioreactor with 5 kg/10 L capacity for solid-state fermentation; equipment for separation and stabilization of fermentation products; a food workshop including professional kitchen equipment.
Physicochemical characterization:
liquid and gas chromatography with a range of UV and RI detectors, mass spectrometry and olfactometry port, rheometry and viscometry, elemental analyses (C/N)…
Structured data warehouse and clear, transparent governance enabling the use of artificial intelligence and modeling tools.
The distributed platform enables direct and simplified connection with researchers specialized in food microbiology, six processes and instrumentation, and interactions between food, microbiota, and health. In total, there are seven research and teaching units spread across the French territory in which Ferments du Futur funds new equipment to enhance existing technical capabilities and recruits 13 people associated with these expertise, supported daily by 10 INRAE scientific referees.
Overall, Ferments du Futur brings together about thirty people, giving you access through a single contact point to an equipment park worth more than €10 million, operated by our expert teams or your collaborators.
A team and cutting-edge equipment to support you in your R&D projects
Ferments du Futur brings together about thirty people, providing you access through a single point of contact to a pool of equipment worth more than €10 million, operated by our expert teams or your collaborators.
Comprehensive support for your projects
Ferments du Futur offers full management of innovation projects, from conception to completion.
Symbiose – Expand your activities within Ferments du Futur
The Ferments du Futur Innovation Center (CI2F) welcomes you to a high-performance work environment, combining tailored spaces, advanced scientific equipment, and personalized support to accelerate your innovation projects.
A team and cutting-edge equipment to support you in your R&D projects
The Ferments du Futur infrastructure is based on the Ferments du Futur Innovation Center (CI2F) located on the Saclay plateau, equipped with screening, fermentation, physicochemical characterization platforms, and a food prototyping workshop. Ferments du Futur also includes a distributed technology platform across several INRAE research units specializing in microbiology, processes, nutrition & health, mathematics, and applied computer science.
In total, Ferments du Futur brings together about thirty people, providing you access through a single point of contact to a pool of equipment worth more than €10 million, operated by our expert teams or your collaborators.
Microbial Diversity & Screening
- Access to microorganism collections:
- CIRM-BIA – Biological resource center dedicated to the preservation of bacteria of food interest, notably related to fermented and/or bio-preserved foods @Rennes INRAE, with 3 scientists
- CIRM-Levures – Biological resource center dedicated to French traditional ferments and yeasts involved in biotechnologies @Montpellier INRAE, with 3 scientists
- Strain optimization
- Targeted and untargeted culturomics
- Selection of ferments through advanced techno-functional characterization
- Optimization of growth conditions
Equipment
- Maldi-TOF
- Omnilog
- Oscelloscope
- Biolector
- Millidrop
- Cytometer
- Molecular biology platform
- Anaerobic chamber
- Cinac
Bioprocessing & Prototyping
- Scaling up liquid and solid-state fermentation processes from 1 L to over 10 L
- Optimization of culture media
- Integration of upstream and downstream unit operations (USP-DSP) before and after fermentation
- Directed evolution
- Formulation and recipes
- Food–microorganism interactions
- Gut microbiota – Evaluation of food/gut microbiota interactions
Equipment
- Solid-state fermentation at the bench scale up to 5 kg: custom 1 L bioreactors, FMS Fujiwara pilot, and instrumented tray fermentation cabinets
- Diverse liquid fermentation equipment (Applikon 1 L, Multifors 1 L, Airlift, Sartorius 2-5 L, Techfors 10 L)
- Stephan UMX5S cutter
- Tangential microfiltration
- Fluidized bed dryer
- UHT processing
- Freeze dryer (lyophilizer)
- Spray dryer
- Evaporator
- High-pressure homogenizer (11,000 psi)
- Dry mill
- Professional kitchen equipment (Robotcook, juice extractors, oven, cooking plates, etc.)
- Confocal microscope
- Intestinal microbiota models
Physicochemical characterization
- Monitoring of classic fermentation (sugars, organic acids) – Targeted and untargeted metabolite analyses including aroma compounds
- Nutritional analyses & contaminants
- Techno-functional properties
Equipment
- LC-MS (standard and high resolution)
- GC-MS (standard and high resolution) coupled with olfactometry
- HPLC-RI/DAD
- IC-RI/MS
- Separation techniques (SBSE, SPME, DHS-TDU)
- Elemental analysis (C, N), Fat content – Dry matter
- Granulometer
- Colorimeter
- Rheometer
- Texturometer
Data science and modeling
Ferments du Futur relies on a robust data and AI strategy, with the development of the Siduri data warehouse dedicated to data on ferments and fermented foods. This platform aims to centralize high-quality, well-structured data accompanied by reliable metadata, sourced from public databases, collaborative projects, or industry partners.
Bioinformatics analysis tools and pipelines are already in place and continue to be developed to enable fine and evolving data exploitation. In parallel, teams support partners in integrating their data and mastering the tools, with a real commitment to training.
Ultimately, the goal is to offer a predictive platform accessible to all, enabling researchers and industry players to leverage data to reduce laboratory experiments and accelerate innovation.
Comprehensive support for your projects
Ferments du Futur offers full management of innovation projects, from conception to completion.
This structured approach unfolds in three main stages:
Initiation: Collaboration begins with an initial contact between the Ferments du Futur teams and industrial partners, alongside scientific experts. These preliminary exchanges allow mutual assessment of the project’s interest and feasibility. Discussions are conducted under strict confidentiality to ensure the security of shared information.
- Confidentiality from the first contact
- Meetings between partners and experts
- Needs and potential analysis
- Values: proximity, cooperation
Construction : Once mutual interest is established, teams work jointly to design a tailored project meeting the partner’s specific needs. This phase includes the development of a detailed proposal addressing scientific, technical, and industrial objectives. Ferments du Futur also sets up the most appropriate contractual framework to ensure smooth and effective collaboration among stakeholders.
- Development of a tailored proposal
- Definition of scientific, technical, and industrial objectives
- Establishment of a robust contractual framework
- Multidisciplinary teams
- Values: cooperation, innovation
Implementation: After project launch, Ferments du Futur provides rigorous and responsive monitoring via a dedicated multidisciplinary expert team (scientific, technical, and project management). A steering committee composed of the partner and Ferments du Futur teams ensures personalized support and guarantees proper execution of work. This close collaboration promotes constant communication, allowing rapid adjustment of actions when necessary.
- Dedicated and expert project team
- Personalized steering committee
- Responsive follow-up and continuous adjustments
- Smooth communication
- Strategic results for the company
- Values: reliability, cooperation, innovation
Symbiose – Expand your activities within Ferments du Futur
The Ferments du Futur Innovation Center (CI2F) welcomes you to a high-performance work environment, combining tailored spaces, advanced scientific equipment, and personalized support to accelerate your innovation projects.
You benefit from comprehensive infrastructure and bespoke assistance to fast-track your strategies.
Functional and comfortable workspaces
he CI2F reception area, named Symbiose, offers multiple options according to your needs:
- Open-plan offices to foster collaboration
- Private offices for greater quiet and confidentiality
Common areas include:
- Call boxes (2 to 4 people) for meetings or discreet calls
- Video conference meeting room (up to 10 people)
- High-speed Wi-Fi, printing facilities, relaxation areas, and a team refreshment space with connected refrigerators
Access to platforms and scientific equipment
Once settled, your teams gain access to our technological infrastructure ranging from bench scale to pilot/pre-pilot scale.
Following QHSE training, they can autonomously use laboratories and platforms (excluding special equipment).
Special equipment access is available hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly in coordination with the technical team.
Tailored scientific and technical support
CI2F teams support your teams through every stage:
- Development of tailored experimental designs
- Assistance with data processing and analysis
You may also entrust an entire project to our teams (service on quotation).
Strategic support for your innovative projects
Beyond technical assistance, CI2F helps structure your projects:
- Meetings with external experts
- Connection with potential partners
- Access to specialized events and collaboration opportunities through our network
A comprehensive offer designed to accelerate your innovation
The “Symbiose” offering combines modern infrastructure, advanced scientific expertise, and an extensive strategic network to effectively support your R&D teams. Whether you need adapted spaces for focused work, advanced scientific equipment for experimentation, or strategic guidance to structure your approach, this solution is designed to meet all your needs – complemented by the welcoming and convivial spirit that characterizes Ferments du Futur!
Ease of daily management
One contract, one pricing grid for access to special equipment and additional services. Regular invoicing and flexible payment options. The contractual format is optimized to ensure smooth and effective collaboration among stakeholders.