Biofilms at work: what limits efficient consortia for industrial production?

Biofilms, complex and structured microbial communities encased within extracellular polymeric substances, represent an emerging area of interest in bioprocesses for the production of value-added chemicals. The properties of biofilms offer potential benefits for productivity and cost efficiency, yet the implementation of pilot- and large-scale productive biofilm processes remains a challenge due to their structural, ecological, metabolic, and physicochemical complexities. This review analyzes the key bottlenecks that limit the application of biofilms in productive bioprocesses, including mass transfer dynamics, ecological interactions, and bioreactor inefficiencies. It also highlights case studies of biofilm-based production and outlines key design principles for next-generation bioreactors. By identifying existing knowledge gaps and technological barriers, we anticipate that this review will facilitate the application of biofilms in industrial bioprocesses.