What is MICROFORM
MICROFORM is a technological transfer initiative born from the need to optimize and reformulate the microbiological solutions that ORANGE uses in industrial and civil water treatment. The project is developed in close collaboration with the Italbiotec Consortium, a research organization with consolidated experience in the field of environmental biotechnologies. Together, ORANGE and the Italbiotec Consortium work to bring new scientific knowledge directly into company production processes, transforming applied research into concrete and measurable solutions.
Strategic objectives
MICROFORM pursues clear objectives, which are coherently integrated into ORANGE's long-term development strategy.
Strengthen technological autonomy, reducing dependence on international suppliers for microbial raw materials
Integrate new biotechnological skills into internal processes, increasing the company's ability to evaluate and adopt new technologies
Increase the resilience of the supply chain, expanding the network of qualified suppliers in the Italian market
Develop innovative formulations with improved performance, capable of responding to market evolutions
Improve the quality, stability and effectiveness of existing microbiological formulations
Main activities
The project is divided into four operational phases, according to a logical progression from initial analysis to production integration.
Phase 1Formulation analysis and supplier scoutingThe project starts with an in-depth analysis of the current microbiological formulations of the OraGen® line. In parallel, Italbiotec conducts scouting activities to identify new national suppliers of microbial strains, collecting technical documentation and biological materials for subsequent testing phases.
Phase 2Prototype formulation and stability testsBased on the strains identified in the previous phase, new experimental microbiological mixtures are developed. Prototypes are stored in different environmental conditions and subjected to periodic checks to evaluate their stability and effectiveness over time. The results are included in an intermediate technical report.
Phase 3Application tests and industrial validationORANGE, with the support of Italbiotec, conducts efficacy tests on a pilot scale or in real conditions. This phase allows evaluating the operational performance of each prototype and selecting the most promising formulations for moving to production.
Phase 4Technological transfer and production implementationIn the conclusive phase, the selected strains are integrated into the production cycle. Activities include pre-series production, adaptation of operational parameters and final validation, up to inclusion in ORANGE's ordinary processes.
Innovation and sustainability:
the link with the 4R strategy
MICROFORM is not just an applied research project. It is an initiative that fits directly into ORANGE's vision of sustainability, oriented towards the 4R strategy: reduction, reuse, recycling and recovery.
Developing more effective microbiological formulations means intervening at the origin of the water treatment process, helping to reduce resource consumption, minimize waste and improve the overall efficiency of the plants.
Furthermore, qualifying local suppliers reduces the environmental impact linked to international logistics and builds a more controlled and responsible supply chain. In this sense, MICROFORM is not just an investment in competitiveness. It is a choice consistent with the idea that innovating and respecting the environment are not conflicting objectives, but two sides of the same strategy.
Our commitment:
research, innovation,
concrete results
MICROFORM demonstrates how ORANGE understands innovation: not as an end in itself, but as a tool to offer its customers more reliable products, more robust processes and solutions capable of responding to the challenges of a constantly evolving sector.
Collaboration with the research world is an integral part of this approach. Working with scientific partners such as the Italbiotec Consortium allows us to integrate specialized skills with operational knowledge gained over years of work in the field, generating value that goes far beyond the individual project.
This project is supported by the Regional Programme of the European Regional Development Fund/PR ERDF 2021-2027 of the Lombardy Region, "Strengthen & Innovate" call. Co-financed by the European Union — European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
