Oleo: Sustainable Palm Oil Solution

Oleo Sustainable Palm Oil Solutions (SPOS) has developed a novel method for producing a sustainable drop-in replacement for palm oil from recycled biomass waste with properties similar to that of conventional palm oil, via a two step process:

1. The first step entails pretreating lignocellulosic biomass via microwave hydrolysis (MWH) to release fermentable sugars, producing an intermediate product called a hydrolysate. 
2. The second step involves fermenting oleaginous yeast to the point of lipid accumulation, using the hydrolysate as a substrate. The resultant lipids have a fatty acid profile similar to that of traditional palm oil, consisting primarily of palmitic and oleic acids. 

Oil seed crops, such as palm oil, are among the most carbon intensive commodities in the world, and are deeply embedded in global supply chains. Oleo SPOS can offset global palm oil demand, reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as preserve tropical rainforests.