Genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs) build on a long history of use in industrial processes. With the help of technological advances like gene editing and other new genomic techniques, GMMs are being tailored to surpass the limitations of conventional microbial strains and explore new functionalities. While historically confined to closed systems, activities to expand the use of GMMs to environmental release are growing. Several application areas for GMMs have been identified providing examples of products already commercialised or tested in the field. Out of the 23 startups and scaleups identified as developing GMMs for environmental release, only three were over the age of ten years. The majority were based in the US, with two in the EU. The main application area identified for these startups was agriculture (biofertilisers), with also some activities in biomining (copper-leaching), bioremediation (PFAS remediation), food and beverages (probiotics), and cosmetics and personal care (skin treatments). In December 2025, the European Commission published a legislative proposal to amend Directive 2001/18/EC as regards the placing on the market of GMMs, as part of the Biotech Act. This report provides an overview of the technological landscape, sectoral applications, and the scaleup and startup ecosystem around GMMs, excluding healthcare and pharmaceuticals, to feed policy discussions on their safe and scalable deployment in support of the green transition.

R. LOWE Christopher;  PONFERRADA Víctor;  AQUINO Carlos Ruiz;  COMPANO Ramon;  NANDA Amrit; 

2026-07-01

Publications Office of the European Union

JRC147414

978-92-68-41167-4 (online),   

1831-9424 (online),   

EUR 40775,    OP KJ-01-26-286-EN-N (online),   

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC147414,   

10.2760/2137393 (online),