164. From Plasmids to Pallets: How Erin Marasco Scales Biology at Cargill

We kick off our CPG series with Dr. Erin Marasco, Senior Director of Global Biology at Cargill, who leads innovation in ingredient discovery, strain development, and biotech applications. Erin takes us on a fascinating journey from the fundamentals of fermentation to the complexities of scaling biotech products from lab bench to global supply chains. We explore Cargill's 30-year history in biomanufacturing, discuss why terms like "precision fermentation" might be doing more harm than good, and learn what it really takes for startups to partner with multinational companies. Erin shares insights on feedstock diversity across continents, the future of nutritional bioactives in everyday foods, and why success in biotech means moving from "novel" to "preferred." This conversation is essential listening for anyone interested in how biology is quietly transforming every aisle of the grocery store.

Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?

Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Chapters:

• (00:00:00) - Introduction & New Year Kickoff — Welcome to 2026 and the start of our CPG series!
• (00:01:00) - JP Morgan Conference & South Africa Travel
• (00:05:00) - New Food Pyramid Controversy
• (00:10:00) - Introducing Erin Marasco & Cargill's Role in Biotech
• (00:17:00) - Where Biotech Creates Real Leverage at Cargill
• (00:21:00) - Demystifying Fermentation: Why Now?
• (00:26:00) - How Cargill Partners with Startups
• (00:30:00) - Biggest Misconceptions About Working with Big Companies
• (00:33:00) - What Product Readiness Means to Cargill
• (00:38:00) - Plasmids to Pallets: Successful Partnership Examples
• (00:47:00) - Feedstock Diversity Across Continents
• (00:53:00) - The Future: Nutrition as Everyday Food
• (00:58:00) - Quick Fire Questions & Retiring "Precision Fermentation"
• (01:03:00) - Wrap-Up & What's Next in the CPG Series

Links and Resources:

• Cargill
• Cargill Fermentation Blog
• Fermentation: nature's original biotech by Cargill
• Cantabria Labs (sunscreen from plant extracts)
• Viro - Sugarcane Straws
• Sawubona Mycelium 
• Heliocare Cantabria Labs
•  Andreesen Horowitz, VC fund, raised a $15 billion 

Topics Covered: 

biotech, industry, biomanufacturing, bioprocessing, agriculture, agritech, strain engineering, biotech R&D, feedstocks, chemical engineering, bioengineering

Have a question or comment? Message us here:

Text or Call (804) 505-5553 

Music by: Nihilore 

Production by:  Amplafy Media