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Top 10 Startups developing Bioplastic and other Recyclable Materials
Updated: April 12, 2024 | 26 |
Startups, developing sustainable, recycable materials that can replace plastic and other difficult-to-recycle materials.
1
Country: USA
Utopia Plastix is a plant based alternative polymer using what is traditionally known as agricultural cover crops. Pelletized resins are a drop in replacement used in vast applications including blown film, blow molding, thermoforming, extrusion, injection molding, and 3D without equipment modifications. 100% recyclable. Degradable. Compostable. Utopias IP also includes the ability to add their material to petroleum-based plastics to make them eco-friendly.
Utopia Plastix is a plant based alternative polymer using what is traditionally known as agricultural cover crops. Pelletized resins are a drop in replacement used in vast applications including blown film, blow molding, thermoforming, extrusion, injection molding, and 3D without equipment modifications. 100% recyclable. Degradable. Compostable. Utopias IP also includes the ability to add their material to petroleum-based plastics to make them eco-friendly.
2
Country: USA | Funding: $642.2M
Solugen makes chemicals from custom enzymes and renewable feedstock. It uses dextrose, a simple sugar, and in the future it aims to convert carbon into useful products like building materials and formaldehyde-free resins.
Solugen makes chemicals from custom enzymes and renewable feedstock. It uses dextrose, a simple sugar, and in the future it aims to convert carbon into useful products like building materials and formaldehyde-free resins.
3
Country: USA | Funding: $340.3M
Genomatica manufactures sustainable chemicals from renewable feedstocks.
Genomatica manufactures sustainable chemicals from renewable feedstocks.
4
Country: Israel | Funding: $240.1M
The UBQ proprietary process converts Residual Municipal Solid Waste, destined to landfills, into novel bio-based UBQ Material, that can be used to make everyday durable products - with a reduced carbon footprint.
The UBQ proprietary process converts Residual Municipal Solid Waste, destined to landfills, into novel bio-based UBQ Material, that can be used to make everyday durable products - with a reduced carbon footprint.
5
Country: USA | Funding: $231.6M
Newlight Technologies uses decarbonization technology dedicated to converting greenhouse gas into biomaterials.
Newlight Technologies uses decarbonization technology dedicated to converting greenhouse gas into biomaterials.
6
Country: USA | Funding: $200M
Origin Materials created bio-based plastic bottles containing 80% renewable materials like cardboard and sawdust. Half of its capital investment to date has come from major food corporates like Nestle and Danone.
Origin Materials created bio-based plastic bottles containing 80% renewable materials like cardboard and sawdust. Half of its capital investment to date has come from major food corporates like Nestle and Danone.
7
Country: Netherlands | Funding: $199.8M
Avantium's YXY plants-to-plastics technology catalytically converts plant-based fructose syrup from corn and wheat sugars into PEF (polyethylene furanoate).
Avantium's YXY plants-to-plastics technology catalytically converts plant-based fructose syrup from corn and wheat sugars into PEF (polyethylene furanoate).
8
Country: Japan | Funding: ¥22.6B
TBM is specializing in developing, manufacturing, and distributing LIMEX, an innovative new material mainly made from limestone and inorganic materials.
TBM is specializing in developing, manufacturing, and distributing LIMEX, an innovative new material mainly made from limestone and inorganic materials.
9
Country: USA | Funding: $172.7M
Agilyx created a solutions platform that can take a wide variety of waste plastics and polymers, and chemically recycle those plastics into high value synthetic oils, chemicals and in some cases back to basic monomers that can be used to re-manufacture products.
Agilyx created a solutions platform that can take a wide variety of waste plastics and polymers, and chemically recycle those plastics into high value synthetic oils, chemicals and in some cases back to basic monomers that can be used to re-manufacture products.
10
Country: USA | Funding: $171M
Renmatix focuses on the production of cellulosic sugars from plant-based feedstocks for the improvement of bio-primarily based materials.
Renmatix focuses on the production of cellulosic sugars from plant-based feedstocks for the improvement of bio-primarily based materials.
11
Country: Israel | Funding: $130M
TIPA manufactures bio-based, fully compostable packaging for the food and fashion industry. It compares its packaging material to orange peel, decomposing in 180 days in compost conditions.
TIPA manufactures bio-based, fully compostable packaging for the food and fashion industry. It compares its packaging material to orange peel, decomposing in 180 days in compost conditions.
12
Country: USA | Funding: $121.1M
Ecovative Design is a biomaterials company that makes biodegradable packaging from mushrooms
Ecovative Design is a biomaterials company that makes biodegradable packaging from mushrooms
13
Country: USA | Funding: $95M
Biomason is a developer of a building materials technology that employs natural microorganisms to grow bio cement in ambient temperatures.
Biomason is a developer of a building materials technology that employs natural microorganisms to grow bio cement in ambient temperatures.
14
Country: USA | Funding: $$63M
CleanFiber is a construction manufacturing company that makes building insulation from recycled corrugated cardboard.
CleanFiber is a construction manufacturing company that makes building insulation from recycled corrugated cardboard.
15
Country: USA | Funding: $55M
Brimstone Energy is producing mass-market, zero-carbon Portland cement, a key building material.
Brimstone Energy is producing mass-market, zero-carbon Portland cement, a key building material.
16
Country: USA | Funding: $54.4M
VitroLabs develops a platform that manufactures real leather using stem cell-based technologies.
VitroLabs develops a platform that manufactures real leather using stem cell-based technologies.
17
Country: UAE
Seramic Materials produces sustainable advanced ceramics, by recycling industrial solid waste as a low-cost raw material available locally in large quantity. It also generates carbon-free value-added energy, using Waste Heat Recovery (WHR) systems, which substitute fossil fuels hence saving CO2.
Seramic Materials produces sustainable advanced ceramics, by recycling industrial solid waste as a low-cost raw material available locally in large quantity. It also generates carbon-free value-added energy, using Waste Heat Recovery (WHR) systems, which substitute fossil fuels hence saving CO2.
18
Country: UK | Funding: $46.2M
Worn Again Technologies develops a polymer recycling technology to create waste-free textile circular materials.
Worn Again Technologies develops a polymer recycling technology to create waste-free textile circular materials.
19
Country: UK | Funding: £35M
Polymateria is a London-based startup advancing science to help nature deal with plastic pollution.
Polymateria is a London-based startup advancing science to help nature deal with plastic pollution.
20
Country: Japan | Funding: ¥5.8B
Elephantech wants to create circuit boards that are kinder to the environment
Elephantech wants to create circuit boards that are kinder to the environment
22
Country: France | Funding: €28.5M
Fairbrics is developing the first synthetic fiber with a net positive impact on climate change and capable of meeting the demand of the market.
Fairbrics is developing the first synthetic fiber with a net positive impact on climate change and capable of meeting the demand of the market.
23
Country: USA | Funding: $25.7M
Evrnu is a technology and business model that recycles cotton garment waste to create premium, renewable textiles.
Evrnu is a technology and business model that recycles cotton garment waste to create premium, renewable textiles.
24
Country: Netherlands | Funding: €20.1M
Byborre is committed to shifting towards a circular textile economy. It specializes in design, material development, engineered knits, and supply chain services.
Byborre is committed to shifting towards a circular textile economy. It specializes in design, material development, engineered knits, and supply chain services.
25
Country: Finland | Funding: $20.9M
Sulapac wants to replacing plastic with a new microplastic-free material.
Sulapac wants to replacing plastic with a new microplastic-free material.
26
Country: UK | Funding: £16.4M
Notpla wants to replace all single use plastics for material made of seaweed and plants. As it is made of seaweed and plants, Notpla is a very malleable product, perfect to store beverages, sauces and food in general.
Notpla wants to replace all single use plastics for material made of seaweed and plants. As it is made of seaweed and plants, Notpla is a very malleable product, perfect to store beverages, sauces and food in general.
27
Country: USA | Funding: $20M
InventWood develops cellulose-based materials for environmental. It is a highly suitable material for a range of purposes - from automotive to building construction to premium furniture.
InventWood develops cellulose-based materials for environmental. It is a highly suitable material for a range of purposes - from automotive to building construction to premium furniture.
28
Country: USA | Funding: $18.9M
Carbonwave is a leading developer of ultra-regenerative, plant-based, biomaterials from seaweed.
Carbonwave is a leading developer of ultra-regenerative, plant-based, biomaterials from seaweed.
29
Country: UK | Funding: $18.4M
Xampla is leading the charge in plant-protein materials, a next generation material that is 100% a natural replacement for plastic.
Xampla is leading the charge in plant-protein materials, a next generation material that is 100% a natural replacement for plastic.
30
Country: USA | Funding: $18.4M
Rubi Laboratories develops technology that turns carbon emissions into carbon-negative textiles.
Rubi Laboratories develops technology that turns carbon emissions into carbon-negative textiles.
31
Country: Ireland | Funding: €16M
Bioplastech has developed a method to produce biodegradable plastic from a range of waste streams.
Bioplastech has developed a method to produce biodegradable plastic from a range of waste streams.
32
Country: USA | Funding: $15.6M
Loliware has combined seaweed intelligence with innovative manufacturing methods to create Loliware Edible Tech (LET), which it claims is the first certified edible bioplastic in the world. It started by creating edible straws.
Loliware has combined seaweed intelligence with innovative manufacturing methods to create Loliware Edible Tech (LET), which it claims is the first certified edible bioplastic in the world. It started by creating edible straws.
33
Country: Canada | Funding: $15.1M
Genecis is an early-stage organic waste processing startup that uses biotechnology to convert waste into high value materials.
Genecis is an early-stage organic waste processing startup that uses biotechnology to convert waste into high value materials.
34
Country: UK | Funding: $11.9M
Recycling Technologies specializes in waste management and engineering processes and helps customers achieve financial gains from waste. Recycling Technologies also provides a solution to chemically recycle end-of-life plastic back to a crude oil equivalent called Plaxx, which is a synthetic oil that has multiple industrial applications.
Recycling Technologies specializes in waste management and engineering processes and helps customers achieve financial gains from waste. Recycling Technologies also provides a solution to chemically recycle end-of-life plastic back to a crude oil equivalent called Plaxx, which is a synthetic oil that has multiple industrial applications.
35
Country: UK | Funding: $11.1M
Interface Polymers’s di-block copolymer additive technology is claimed to simplify the processing of plastics such as mixtures of polyethylene or polypropylene and facilitate recycling.
Interface Polymers’s di-block copolymer additive technology is claimed to simplify the processing of plastics such as mixtures of polyethylene or polypropylene and facilitate recycling.
36
Country: Italy
Ecoplasteam solves the difficulty of separating mixtures of materials, such as waste composed of a metal and plastic layer. Instead of using complex processes to separate these components, Ecoplasteam’s patented production process creates a new versatile material that can be used for clothing, paving stones or household items.
Ecoplasteam solves the difficulty of separating mixtures of materials, such as waste composed of a metal and plastic layer. Instead of using complex processes to separate these components, Ecoplasteam’s patented production process creates a new versatile material that can be used for clothing, paving stones or household items.
37
Country: Finland
Suominen manufactures nonwovens as roll goods for wipes and other applications. Our vision is to be the frontrunner for nonwovens innovation and sustainability.
Suominen manufactures nonwovens as roll goods for wipes and other applications. Our vision is to be the frontrunner for nonwovens innovation and sustainability.
38
Country: South Korea | Funding: ₩13B
Mycel Project develops and manufactures a wide range of mushroom-based biomaterials that can be used to substitute leather and flesh.
Mycel Project develops and manufactures a wide range of mushroom-based biomaterials that can be used to substitute leather and flesh.
39
Country: USA | Funding: $10M
Plantd is a manufacturer of building materials designed for sustainable and carbon-negative homebuilding.
Plantd is a manufacturer of building materials designed for sustainable and carbon-negative homebuilding.
40
Country: India | Funding: $9.4M
Phool.co is a biomaterial startup, which uses floral waste to make patented organic fertilizer and incense sticks.
Phool.co is a biomaterial startup, which uses floral waste to make patented organic fertilizer and incense sticks.
41
Country: France | Funding: €7.6M
Lactips created a water soluble and biodegradable thermoplastic pellets based on casein, a milk protein. They can be used to make a variety of packaging materials including food.
Lactips created a water soluble and biodegradable thermoplastic pellets based on casein, a milk protein. They can be used to make a variety of packaging materials including food.
43
Country: Germany | Funding: €5M
Made of Air materials sequester carbon from biomass waste in the form of thermoplastics.
Made of Air materials sequester carbon from biomass waste in the form of thermoplastics.
44
Country: Indonesia | Funding: $5M
Greenhope created Oxium (oxo-biodegradable additive) & Ecoplas (cassava-based biodegradable bioplastic).
Greenhope created Oxium (oxo-biodegradable additive) & Ecoplas (cassava-based biodegradable bioplastic).
45
Country: Switzerland | Funding: $4.7M
Dimpora produces eco-friendly functional membranes for the outdoor textile industry.
Dimpora produces eco-friendly functional membranes for the outdoor textile industry.
46
Country: Finland | Funding: €3.4M
Hyperion Robotics designs, engineers, and manufactures sustainable, low-carbon concrete for infrastructure and buildings.
Hyperion Robotics designs, engineers, and manufactures sustainable, low-carbon concrete for infrastructure and buildings.
47
Country: UK | Funding: $2.9M
Materials Nexus is finding alternatives to materials that are already used in products such as semiconductors and batteries to help innovations like wind turbines and electric cars scale more rapidly and sustainably.
Materials Nexus is finding alternatives to materials that are already used in products such as semiconductors and batteries to help innovations like wind turbines and electric cars scale more rapidly and sustainably.
48
Country: Ukraine | Funding: €2.6M
Releaf Paper is turning bio wastes into sustainable paper in the production of which not any single tree had been cut.
Releaf Paper is turning bio wastes into sustainable paper in the production of which not any single tree had been cut.
49
Country: Denmark | Funding: €2.4M
Cellugy harnesses the power of bio-fabrication to produce advanced bio-cellulose materials through a disruptive biotechnological process, partnering with packaging and chemical companies to enable circularity in the end-of-life as an alternative to conventional materials.
Cellugy harnesses the power of bio-fabrication to produce advanced bio-cellulose materials through a disruptive biotechnological process, partnering with packaging and chemical companies to enable circularity in the end-of-life as an alternative to conventional materials.
50
Country: Israel | Funding: $2.5M
Balena is developing compostable and biodegradable thermoplastic materials, on a mission to create a circular model for consumer goods products
Balena is developing compostable and biodegradable thermoplastic materials, on a mission to create a circular model for consumer goods products
