Circa produces levoglucosenone, a versatile platform chemical derived from waste cellulose, using a proprietary continuous process that enables large-scale production. This technology addresses the limited supply of sustainable alternatives to fossil-based chemicals, facilitating the development of eco-friendly products like the bio-solvent Cyrene™ and new pharmaceutical building blocks.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
The chemical industry relies heavily on fossil-based chemicals, which contributes to climate change and environmental pollution. There is a limited supply of sustainable, large-scale alternatives to these toxic chemicals, hindering the development of eco-friendly products.
Solution
Circa produces levoglucosenone (LGO), a versatile biochemical platform derived from waste cellulose, using a proprietary continuous process that enables large-scale production. LGO serves as a sustainable alternative to fossil-based chemicals, facilitating the creation of greener and safer products. Circa's technology enables the transition to better chemistry by providing a key building block for various applications, including the bio-solvent Cyrene™ and pharmaceutical synthesis. The ReSolute plant scales up Cyrene™ production, repurposing a former coal-fired site to create a lower-carbon economy.
Target Audience
Circa's primary customers are companies in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and materials industries seeking sustainable alternatives to fossil-based chemicals for developing greener products.
Features
- Proprietary continuous process for large-scale LGO production from waste cellulose
- LGO as a versatile platform chemical for various applications
- Production of Cyrene™, a bio-based solvent alternative to NMP
- Collaboration with Merck for incorporating LGO in pharmaceutical manufacturing
- ReSolute plant for scaling up Cyrene™ production