Fermenting feedstocks into everyday products

A new process produces bio-based replacements for materials that typically require fossil fuels

Spotted: One problem with moving to net zero is that nearly everything that is manufactured using conventional processes – from personal hygiene items to textiles – involves fossil fuels in some way.

Startup ZymoChem is working to change this with a proprietary process that uses carbon-conserving microbes to convert renewable feedstocks into high-value polymers. The fermentation-based process is able to produce bio-based replacements for chemicals and other materials with near-zero CO2 emissions, and the company claims that the method gives up to a 50 per cent higher yield than fossil fuel-based correlates.

More good news for manufacturers is that ZymoChem’s bio-based materials can be slotted into existing manufacturing, requiring no changes in equipment or line speed, and at a cost that’s competitive with traditional chemicals.

ZymoChem’s first branded material, BAYSE Bio-Sap, is a 100 per cent bio-based and biodegradable super absorbent polymer. This is the material best known for its absorbency features in consumer hygiene products like infant diapers and period pads. It also has additional applications in industries such as agriculture, cosmetics, and water treatment.

“At ZymoChem, we are committed to accelerating the transition to a real-zero economy by developing bio-based materials for everyday products,” Harshal Chokhawala, PhD, CEO and Co-Founder of ZymoChem, told Springwise. “With BAYSE, we are tackling one of the world’s most wasteful items head-on, offering a sustainable solution that does not compromise on performance or affordability.”

ZymoChem was founded in 2015 and has recently announced a $21 million (around €19.4 million) series A funding round. The investment round saw participation from new investors including Lululemon Athletica Inc. and Toyota Ventures, as well as returning investors from a prior round. The new funding will be paired with existing revenues from commercial partnerships and funding from the US Department of Energy and used to launch Bio-SAP and advance its first partnered product to commercial scale.

Fermentation is being used to sustainably produce a growing number of products and materials spotted by Springwise. These include textile dyes, substitutes for fibres like wool and silk and even human milk protein.

Written By: Lisa Magloff

Updated 6th August 2024