Spun out of research at the University of Michigan, Ecovia Renewables is developing a fermentation platform for biobased fuels and chemicals through the engineering of synthetic microbial mixed cultures. Offering an affordable, bio-based & functional alternative to conventional acrylate & acrylamide polymers, the company's EcoSynth™ Platform is based on research in designing, constructing, and modulating synthetic microbial ecosystems. Ecovia's first proof-of-concept synthetic microbial ecosystem involved one-step production of isobutanol from lignocellulose, and the company has since expanded to engineer microbial co-cultures for the production of a variety of biofuels, bulk biochemicals, and specialty biochemicals. The company's technology platform includes BioGel Biopolymers and Cellulosic Biofuels and has agricultural and personal care applications including soil amendment for water retention, revegetation and erosion control, absorption for hygiene products and natural skin care.