Genomatica
Geno produces plant‑derived chemicals such as Bio‑BDO and plant‑based nylon, enabling brands to replace fossil‑based materials with sustainable alternatives. Their technology cuts CO₂ emissions by up to 90% versus coal‑derived counterparts, supporting high‑performance, traceable supply chains for industries ranging from apparel to industrial polymers.
- Chemical Technology
Funding
Founders
Product
Problem
Many industries rely on fossil‑derived chemicals such as petroleum‑based butanediol (BDO) to produce polymers like nylon, resulting in high greenhouse‑gas emissions and opaque supply chains. This dependence contributes significantly to climate change and limits the ability of brands to offer truly sustainable products.
Solution
Genomica provides a bio‑manufacturing platform that converts renewable feedstocks into plant‑derived BDO (Geno BDO™), a key building block for high‑performance polymers such as nylon‑6. The process uses engineered microorganisms in large‑scale fermentation facilities, achieving up to 90 % lower CO₂ emissions compared with traditional coal‑based production. The resulting bio‑BDO can be polymerized into nylon and other materials that meet or exceed the performance of conventional counterparts while offering full traceability from feedstock to finished product. By supplying these ingredients at commercial volume, Genomica enables brands to replace fossil‑based components with sustainable alternatives without redesigning their existing manufacturing lines.
Target Audience
Genomica’s primary customers are manufacturers and brands in the textile, apparel, and consumer‑goods sectors seeking sustainable, high‑performance polymer ingredients for large‑scale production.
Features
- Fermentation‑based production of plant‑derived BDO using renewable feedstocks
- Up to 90 % reduction in CO₂ emissions versus coal‑derived BDO processes
- Scalable commercial plants (e.g., the world’s largest Geno‑BDO facility in Iowa) delivering high‑volume supply
- Compatibility with existing polymerization infrastructure for nylon‑6 and other high‑performance polymers
- Transparent, traceable supply chain data linking raw material origin to final product
- Partnerships with major brands (e.g., Lululemon) and industry leaders to integrate bio‑BDO into consumer goods