From biodegradable diapers to bio-based nylon for clothes, San Leandro, CA-based biotechnology company ZymoChem is harnessing the power of carbon-conserving microbes to create sustainable alternatives for everyday products.
ZymoChem’s proprietary Carbon Conserving (C2) platform employs specially engineered microbes to convert renewable feedstocks (think plant sugars, starch) into high-value materials. These microbes deliver yields up to 50 percent higher than leading biomanufacturing competitors while minimizing the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere during fermentation. The innovative fermentation process effectively swaps petroleum-based ingredients for bio-based polymers and monomers.
The economy or the climate? Why not both?
Subscribe for ideas that support the environment and the people.
Among ZymoChem’s everyday product offerings are biodegradable superabsorbent polymers for personal hygiene products, as well as bio-derived nylon for textiles.
The biotech developer is currently partnering with athleisure brand lululemon to replace nylon 6,6, a common ingredient found in garments derived from fossil fuels, with a renewable replacement. In March, lululemon announced a multi-year collaboration to scale decarbonized nylon for its range of high-performance activewear.
“What truly sets ZymoChem apart is their groundbreaking technology, which is capable of producing a bio-based material to create sustainable nylon 6,6 that provides the same look, feel, and quality expected from our high-performance products,” Yogendra Dandapure, Vice President of Raw Materials Innovation at lululemon, said about the partnership.
ZymoChem’s leadership in sustainable textile innovation was recently recognized when the company was named Startup of the Year by the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF). The award honors start-ups advancing the future of the textile industry through innovative materials and processes.
“We’re honored to receive this recognition from ITMF for our contributions to sustainable textiles,” said Harshal Chokhawala, Co-Founder and CEO of ZymoChem. “Our approach allows brands to transition to sustainable solutions without compromising on cost or the performance that makes nylon 6,6 indispensable across industries.”
In the $145 billion global hygiene market, ZymoChem has innovated a biodegradable absorbent core for diapers by developing a sustainable version of a petro-based ingredient known as super absorbent polymer, or SAP. ZymoChem assists companies in making diapers more sustainable by offering drop-in absorbents free of fossil fuels.
Due to its petrochemical composition and critical function, the SAP core of a diaper is the hardest-to-replace part. Although incorporating BAYSE Bio-Sap does not automatically make a diaper fully compostable, a significant portion of the diaper is more sustainable thanks to this key component. With roughly 27 billion soiled diapers ending up in landfills every year in the U.S., the technology has the potential for massive scale.
ZymoChem has not yet unveiled prices for BAYSE. However, the company says that BAYSE will not carry the “green premium” typically associated with eco-friendly hygiene products.
According to Crunch Base, investors such as the National Science Foundation, Toyota Ventures, SOSV, and KdT Ventures, have supported ZymoChem with $31.1 million+ in funding since its founding.
By offering low-carbon alternatives to everyday products, ZymoChem is helping the world’s biggest brands and product manufacturers move towards a sustainable future.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of C3.