- XTREAM aims to develop sustainable bioprocesses for fields like pharma and agriculture, building on discoveries from extreme environments.
- Areas in Svalbard in Norway will be explored using state-of-the-art drone and sensing technology that helps preserve and respect ecosystems.
- The project, funded by the European Commission’s Horizon Europe program, comprises 13 international partners from universities, research organisations and industrial sectors and kicked off on the 29th of January 2025, in Bergen.

Scientists and industries from across Europe gathered today in Norway to kick off the EU-funded project XTREAM. This four-year initiative aims to explore and harness the unique capabilities of extremophiles —microorganisms that thrive in environmentally harsh conditions —for innovative applications in pharma, medicine, agriculture, feed, and food sectors. “Microorganisms from extreme environments are nature’s greatest problem-solvers. With XTREAM, we aim to unlock their full potential to address critical challenges,” says project leader Antonio García-Moyano from NORCE.

Extremophiles hold great potential for innovation. Their unique adaptations allow them to survive in conditions like intense acidity, pressure, or extreme temperatures, and these traits could drive new products and processes across various industries. However, exploring these environments has traditionally been slow, expensive, and challenging.

XTREAM brings together 13 expert partners from across Europe to overcome these challenges in accessing and studying extremophiles, and to pave the way for new avenues of innovation in European industries while adhering to the EU’s sustainability goals. “Exploring these extreme environments responsibly is at the heart of XTREAM. With cutting-edge technologies like microfluidics, AI-analytics, and advanced drones, we’re combining innovation with environmental stewardship,” explains García-Moyano.

XTREAM will explore some of the planet's most extreme environments, including glaciers in Svalbard, acidic mining sites like Rio Tinto in Spain, geothermal springs, acid-polluted sites in the UK, marine salterns, and Arctic deep-sea sponges. The microbes from these areas could hold the key to new drugs, metabolites, and robust enzymes to boost the development of the European zero-emission, circular bioeconomy.

By developing advanced sampling methods, cutting-edge computational tools, and AI-powered analytics, the project will streamline the process of identifying valuable enzymes, chemicals, and other metabolites from these organisms. “What makes XTREAM unique is its ability to accelerate the path from discovery to real-world applications, creating bio-based solutions that align with Europe’s green goals. It’s a strong counterargument to those who doubt the feasibility of sustainability-driven innovation,” García-Moyano adds. The project’s breakthroughs are expected to significantly reduce the environmental impact and cost of biodiscovery while accelerating the commercialisation of bio-based products.