Not SBIR involved in some time, Genomatica develops biobased process technologies designed to enable a better way to produce widely-used chemicals, from alternative feedstocks, with better economics, sustainability, and performance. The firm has commercialized processes for the chemical butanediol (for biodegradable plastics and. apparel) and for butylene glycol (cosmetics and personal care), and is working on bio-nylon. The firm develops manufacturing processes that enable its licensee partners to produce from alternative feedstocks the worldâs most widely-used chemicals a âbetter wayâ, , with better economics, and greater sustainability than petroleum-based processes. Anchored in IP licensed from University of California San Diego and Penn State, Genomatica delivered the industryâs first commercial biobased process for a high-volume intermediate chemical. Its GENO BDO⢠process has produced thousands of tons of BDO and been licensed by BASF and Novamont. Multiple large chemical firms have publicly validated quality or described commercialization plans, including Invista (for its well-known Lycra® spandex), DSM, Lanxess, Toray, and Far Eastern New Century. Genomaticaâs biotechnology platform and over 500 patents and applications enable it to develop processes for additional major chemicals. The next is for butadiene, with Versalis and Braskem as partners, and over $100 million in industry support. Genomatica has also announced a program to develop processes for the production of nylon intermediates, including HMD, caprolactam and
