TFTAK Is Part of the New Pilots4U Platform Connecting Industry to Open-Access Bioeconomy Pilot and Demo Facilities
- TFTAK
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
The Pilots4U community and database launches its new platform, providing a Europe-wide entry point to state-of-the-art, open-access pilot and demonstration facilities for the bioeconomy. The platform includes a comprehensive database of advanced infrastructures across Europe—including TFTAK—to help companies and research organisations access testing and scale-up environments that support progress from development to market.
Andres Maser, Business Development Manager at TFTAK: “We are proud to participate in the Pilots4U initiative. Thanks to the programme and our inclusion in the pilot and demo infrastructure database, we believe we can strengthen our visibility within the bioeconomy innovation ecosystem. This gives us more opportunities to connect with companies seeking a reliable contract research partner to scale up bio-based technologies. We see that Pilots4U could facilitate direct connections between technology developers, industrial partners, and pilot facilities, enabling faster validation, reduced scale-up risk, and more efficient market entry for all entities that wish to develop circular bioeconomy solutions within the EU and worldwide.”
More Than a Database: Training, Study Visits, and Networking
Beyond the database, the platform offers free webinars and training sessions (including recordings), access to study visits at pilot and demo facilities, and networking opportunities such as Pilot and Demo Infrastructure Fairs. The Pilots4U database already features equipment profiles and contact details for 100 European pilot and demo facilities across 21 countries and continues to grow weekly. The platform is free to use at www.biopilots4U.eu and is powered by COPILOT, a Circular Bio-Based Europe Joint Undertaking CSA project.
Why Pilot and Demo Infrastructures Matter for Europe’s Competitiveness
Europe needs a strong innovation ecosystem to remain globally competitive, and open-access pilot and demo infrastructures are a core part of that ecosystem. They enable industrial users—including SMEs, start-ups, and scale-ups—to develop, test, validate, and scale new products faster, accelerating market uptake. However, for smaller companies that are key innovation drivers, these infrastructures can be difficult to identify and access.
Addressing Fragmentation and Improving Access
Pilot and demo infrastructures also face challenges in visibility and accessibility. Many start-ups and SMEs are unaware of available scale-up services, and the landscape remains fragmented. Facilities often operate within local or national silos, with no central directory that encourages cross-border access. Infrastructures are also concentrated in a limited number of regions, which reduces options for companies in less developed areas and limits transnational access.
To address these challenges, the new Pilots4U platform provides an integrated and sustainable pathway to shared, state-of-the-art pilot and demo infrastructures for the bioeconomy, including cross-border access schemes for bio-innovators. The objective is to strengthen faster, clearer, and more straightforward connections between facilities and industry—building synergies that are essential for Europe’s future.
The European bioeconomy is gaining momentum, supported by the successful implementation of the Pilots4U platform led by the COPILOT project. Since June 2025, three quarters of the 120+ shared pilot and demo facilities for the European bioeconomy have been published on the platform, with a further 20 currently in the pipeline.
Searching the Pilots4U Platform
The platform maps facilities across Europe and provides detailed, current information on equipment across 12 technology areas and 50 bioeconomy-relevant technologies. A powerful search tool allows users to filter by technology, country, or keyword, and enables direct contact with technology specialists at each facility.
In addition, the platform regularly hosts scale-up and training webinars in collaboration with experts from pilot and demo facilities, addressing key scale-up challenges. Recordings are available on the platform for ongoing learning and reference.
Infrastructures collaborate to enable cross-border, multidisciplinary access
Beyond the online platform, Pilots4U also reduces the physical distance between infrastructures and innovators. A continuous programme of study visits is organised across Europe, enabling pilot and demo facilities to host interested stakeholders on-site.
Pilots4U also runs Pilot and Demonstration Infrastructure Fairs, where dozens of facilities present their capabilities and services in one venue to an audience of interested companies.
To learn more or to register, visit biopilots4u.eu and join the growing community of bioeconomy innovators in Europe.
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