System Development/Field Test/ Commercialization

Continually improving products by using ingredients that are better for human health and the environment. This company measures the environmental and health impacts of each of its products. These products are used in home cleaning, personal care, and insect control. Greenlist™ provides seven criteria to rate chemical parameters, such as vapor pressure, octanol/water partition coefficient, biodegradability, aquatic toxicity, human toxicity, European Union Classification, and source/supply.

Pulp and paper enzymes. MetZyme® is a family of enzymatic solutions for all lignin-based biomass applications. These enzymes treat and enhance reused pulp, allowing clients to substitute virgin fiber with recycled fiber (RCF). Products made from RCF require less energy and chemicals to produce. MetZyme® PUREECO™ enzyme process lignocellulosic feedstock to create sustainable and renewably-sourced chemical building blocks for bioplastics, sorbitol, xylitol, furfural, 5-HMF, FDCA, organic acids, and other technologies that support biofuels. Lignin is often treated as waste and burned.

Bioprocesses for chemical manufacturing. The Biochemize (P2B) technological platform is a more profitable, non-hazardous, and low-waste alternative to synthetic chemical manufacturing processes. Bioprocesses are highly selective and efficient. Enzymes used in bioprocesses are efficient and can be reused several times, reducing waste. Bioprocesses also reduce energy usage by enabling reactions to occur in mild or moderate conditions. Reagents and reaction conditions in bioprocessing are also less dangerous.

First-generation surface display technology for better performing enzymes. This technology allows enzymes to be displayed on the outer membrane of bacteria, generating faster results in the screening of binding partners, inhibitors, and optimized enzymes. This technology makes the purification of enzymes simpler and cheaper as it only requires centrifugation and filtration. 

Custom-designed industrial enzymes. Zymvol® designs custom enzymes for applications in pharmaceutical, chemical, and biotech industries using Zymvol® Biomodeling SL. Zymvol® Biomodeling SL uses cloud-based computer simulations to improve the performance of enzymes to meet precise industrial requirements. Silico evolution technology is used to accelerate protein optimization and reduce costs. Tailoring enzymes through simulations reduces reagent waste. Biocatalysts also contribute to efficient resource use of energy, water, and manufacturing inputs as well as reduce gas emissions.

Custom techniques for manufacturing products. By utilizing custom techniques for their products, Novasep is able to make their processes more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly by enabling synthesis through shorter routes with improved purity and yield. This also allows for solvent recycling, which lowers costs and reduces consumption.

Highly magnetic materials for enzyme immobilization. Enzyme immobilization can improve enzyme stability and enable enzyme recycling. This company uses a highly magnetic matrix that protects the enzymes from degradation and denaturation, allowing them to function in more extreme temperatures and pHs. The immobilized enzymes are also optimized to reach full activity and high loadings. The magnetic matrix allows the enzymes to easily and quickly recover with a simple magnet. This technology allows for cost-effective, industrial biocatalysis with better activity, results, and productivity.

Sustainable and energy efficient building materials. These builing materials capture carbon dioxide and replenish farmland. The industrial hemp used in these products are grown sustainably and manufacture into insulation materials with renewable energy. Hemp growth offsets 9.8 tons of carbon dioxide per acre. HempWool® has no VOCs and toxins and is safe to touch. Other products include Hempcrete, Hemp and Lime Blocks, and AcoustiBatts.

Chrome plating with trivalent chromium. Conventional chrome plating uses hexavalent chromium. Hexavalent chromium is the most toxic form of chromium due to its carcinogenic properties. This technology uses trivalent chromium, which is much less toxic and non-carcinogenic. This company uses a new electrodeposition process alternating between a cathodic pulse followed by an anodic pulse and a relaxation period. This process allows for thicker coatings of trivalent chromium and allows the structure and properties of the coating to be adjusted.