IATE
Bioengineering – Biotechnology – Engineering science – Environnment
The Component presentation
The Joint Research Unit for Engineering of Agropolymers and Emerging Technologies (IATE) develops a multidisciplinary scientific approach for the study, transformation, and valorization of renewable resources from agricultural, forestry, and agri-food sectors. It focuses particularly on the structure and functionalities of biopolymers and biomolecules. Its expertise lies at the interface of biochemistry, physical chemistry, process engineering, biotechnology, chemistry, physics, and digital and computational modeling.
The research conducted by IATE aims to describe the complexity of agro-resources using appropriate methodologies, as well as to design innovative technological pathways for transformation in the fields of agri-food, bio-based materials, biocatalysis, and bioenergy.
Research teams
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Rubber
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Structuring Dynamics under Constraint
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Eco-efficient Polymeric and Organic Packaging
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Grains, Seeds, and Co-products: Characterization, Transformation, and End-Use Value
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Soft Matter Engineering
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Knowledge Engineering
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Biological Reaction Engineering
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Lipids, Functionality and Functionnalization in Heterogeneous Systems
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Optimizing the Enngineering of Natural Molecules through InterDisciplinarity
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Dispersed Plant-Based Materials and Process Physics
PLANET
The PLANET platform (Processing of PLANt products with Emergent Technologies) is dedicated to the transformation of plant-based resources. It provides public and private partners with scientific and technological expertise, as well as technical facilities.
LipPolGreen
Lipids and plant-based hydrophobic polymers for a sustainable green chemistry. The platform operates at the interface between plant sciences and green chemistry, drawing on expertise in areas such as lipid biotechnology, polymer physico-chemistry, and the exploration and utilization of plant molecular diversity.
Volatile Compounds Analysis
The Volatile Compounds Analysis Platform is a shared facility of the SPO and IATE Joint Research Units at the INRAE Montpellier center. It offers a comprehensive set of state-of-the-art equipment for the identification and quantification of a wide range of volatile compounds.
Biotechnology Plant Facility
The biotechnology pilot facility enables the cultivation of microorganisms and the production, purification, and characterization of biomolecules and proteins.
Rheology and Physical Measurements for the Characterization of Food and Non-Food Materials
To link the intrinsic rheological and mechanical properties of materials to their technological performance.
Success stories - Antofenol
The collaboration between Antofenol and the IATE Joint Research Unit focuses on the “eco-extraction of phenolic compounds from plant biomass with antifungal properties.
This partnership is based on the valorization of a regional biomass, vine shoots from the annual pruning, which can amount to up to 400,000 tons per year. The valorization process involves the extraction of phenolic biomolecules using a “bioreactor” that combines microwaves and/or ultrasounds, vacuum, while controlling agitation and temperature in aqueous or hydro-alcoholic conditions (ethanol < 20%).
The targeted application area is the reduction of post-harvest food losses, particularly in cooperatives that use petrochemical-based systemic fungicides such as Benomyl, which are neurotoxic, by offering a bio-based alternative.