PEM2i cluster description

Learn more about Center of Excellence for Microbiology, Industry and Innovation (PEM2i), a brief history!

Cantal and microbiology share a common history rooted in the department's long-standing dairy and cheese-making tradition. This connection intensified in the 19th century with Émile Duclaux, a native of Cantal who became an assistant to Louis Pasteur and later the director of the Pasteur Institute. Duclaux conducted part of his research on microorganisms and cheese in Aurillac. Later, driven by the cheese-making industry, the Laboratoire de Recherches Fromagères (LRF) was established in 1973, which became the UMR Fromage in 2019 under the joint oversight of INRAE, Clermont Auvergne University and VetAgro Sup. This history has fostered the development of unique expertise in cheese, fermented foods, and microbial cultures. Simultaneously, a network of businesses has emerged, focusing on analysing, producing, and valorising microbiome solutions for health, food, agronomy, and environmental sectors. The PEM2i (Pôle d’Excellence Microbiologie Industrie Innovation/ Center of Excellence for Microbiology, Industry and Innovation) was established to enhance the visibility of this high-performing sector and its innovations in 2023. Its mission is to unite stakeholders, academics, and industries around these themes.

The PEM2i founders consist of local companies and associations: Agrolab’s, Biose Industrie, Greencell, Interlab/Interscience, Lallemand, LIPSAS, Pôle Fromager AOP Massif Central, Terana, les Lromageries Occitanes (LFO), Sodiaal; academics such as INRAE, UCA, VetAgro Sup and Lycée G Pompidou. The Cantal prefecture, the Auvergne Rhone Alpes Region, the Cantal department, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Auvergne Rhone Alpes Agency assist and support this project.

In October 2024, the Association “PEM2i Entreprises” was created, bringing together socio-economic stakeholders. The board is composed of Jean Vincent Gauzentes (Agrolab’s) as president, Adrien Nivoliez (Biose) as vice-president, Jean Yves Berthon (Greencell) as treasurer, and Michel Place (LIPSAS) as secretary.

All PEM2i partners decided to create common events to promote industrial microbiology and fermentation at the international level. This is how the Microbiomes Solutions Symposium was born. The partners constructed this event to facilitate the convergence of academics and industry professionals from various sectors who use, develop, and innovate for new microbiome solutions. The cross-disciplinary oral presentations chosen by the organizers focused on topics that could interest all sectors of activity (food, pharma, agronomy…).

We are delighted to welcome you to the first MS symposium at the heart of the Puy Marie volcano in Aurillac

Please visit our web site : https://www.pem2i.com/