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The research carried out at the LBE aims to develop the concept of environmental biorefinery which consists in valorizing residues, wastes, organic effluents from human activities as well as certain biomasses into products of industrial interest (bioenergy, biomolecules, amendment and organic fertilizer) while minimizing their environmental and sanitary impact. The LBE was identified as Advanced Technologies for Industry (AIT)" Technology Centre by the European Commission. It is part of the I-site Montpellier Université d'Excellence, Institut Carnot 3BCar, ICIREWARD, International UNESCO water centre and of the LabEx Agro.           

The LBE depends, for the scientific part, on the 00scientific divisions AgroEcoSystem, Mica and Transform as well as to the INRAE's Occitanie-Montpellier Centre for the administrative part.

Symbolized by the production of bioenergy (e.g., via biomethane and biohydrogen by anaerobic ecosystems), the LBE's research seeks to treat and/or valorize the waste products of human activity, whether they are liquid effluents (agri-food in particular), solid residues (agricultural residues, household waste and sludge from wastewater treatment plants) or specific biomasses such as micro or macroalgae. This valorization is declined by explicitly integrating the constraints of sanitary harmlessness (eg., related to the presence of pharmaceutical residues, detergents, and/or pathogens ...). Its research covers a very broad spectrum of disciplinary skills: microbiology, microbial ecology, biological engineering, process engineering, modeling, automation, life cycle analysis, project engineering, and industrial transfer. It is one of the world's leading laboratories in the field of anaerobic digestion. It benefits from a 4757 m² surface area, including 1882 m² of the experimental hall, and high-performance scientific and analytical equipment, with more than 50 digesters (1 liter to several m3) in operation 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. The LBE relies on excellent research, a plurality of themes, a multidisciplinary approach, but also know-how in terms of technology transfer and innovation.