Decarbonization requires not only eliminating fossil fuels as a main source of energy, but also replacing them as key ingredients in objects we use every day. If you want a crash course on just how much our material world depends on fossil fuels, check out the book How the World Really Works by Vaclav Smil. It’s a fascinating, though sobering read, and one of Bill Gates’ favorite books. 

Today’s episode focuses on pigments, a great example of fossil fuels hiding in plain sight. Take a look around you right now. See any objects that are black in color? Replacing the petroleum in the black pigment used in millions of objects with a carbon-negative material is the focus of an innovative startup called Nature Coatings. Today we’re joined by Nature Coatings founder and CEO Jane Palmer and one of her investors, Dan Fishman, a General Partner at Regeneration.vc. I loved this conversation as it really pushed my thinking about the work needed to truly transition from fossil fuels, and the enormous opportunities for innovators who can lead the charge. Enjoy.

In today’s episode, we cover:

• [3:20] Regeneration.vc & how Dan came to work on climate
• [5:37] Jane’s background & how it led to Nature Coatings
• [7:39] Carbon black & why it’s a problem
• [9:08] How BioBlack is made & how it compares to carbon black
• [11:09] The scale of the carbon black problem
• [11:59] How is BioBlack a carbon-negative product
• [14:00] Dan’s perspective on why Nature Coatings is an attractive business
• [16:01] Nature Coatings’ biggest priorities right now
• [17:02] Nature Coatings’ traction, customers, companies they’re looking to reach & status
• [19:05] The future that Jane envisions for Nature Coatings
• [21:29] Rethinking ingredients in everyday products
• [24:11] Others in the petroleum-replacement space
• [25:06] Other exciting opportunities in the space from the investor perspective

Resources Mentioned

• Nature Coatings
• Regeneration.vc

Connect with Jane Palmer & Dan Fishman

• Connect with Jane on LinkedIn
• Connect with Dan on LinkedIn

Connect with Jason Rissman

• On LinkedIn
• On Twitter

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