Manuel Rios, Co-founder of Deep Blue Biotech and former VP of sustainable design at Unilever, dives into the future of eco-friendly skincare. He reveals how his startup harnesses genetically engineered cyanobacteria to revolutionize chemical production. The discussion highlights the environmental benefits of sustainable biomanufacturing, particularly in creating hyaluronic acid for beauty products. Rios also shares insights on their innovative strategies, including modular photobioreactors, and the significant commercial potential for these green alternatives.
Deep Blue Biotech is revolutionizing chemical production by utilizing photosynthesis-based processes to create sustainable and cost-effective alternatives.
Targeting the beauty industry, the startup aims to produce hyaluronic acid to improve market acceptance of green chemicals and expand into other sectors.
Deep dives
Sustainable Chemical Production Through Biomanufacturing
Deep Blue Biotech focuses on transforming the chemical manufacturing industry by utilizing a photosynthesis-based biomanufacturing process, aiming for sustainable production methods that significantly reduce carbon emissions. The startup leverages genetically engineered cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, which only require inexpensive resources like light, water, and CO2 to produce chemicals efficiently. This approach allows Deep Blue Biotech to not only meet sustainability goals but also to achieve cost parity with conventional fossil fuel-based chemical production methods. By prioritizing the development of high-efficacy and sustainable chemicals, the company expects to overcome past limitations that hindered the acceptance of green chemicals in the market, offering products that perform well while being environmentally friendly.
Market Strategies and Future Developments
Initially targeting the beauty and cosmetics industry, Deep Blue Biotech plans to produce hyaluronic acid, a key ingredient in various cosmetic products, to facilitate a quicker entry into the market. The startup believes that successful engagement with high-ticket industries such as cosmetics will alter consumer perceptions of sustainable practices. With aspirations to expand into other sectors like textiles, the company is already establishing partnerships and forming letters of intent with potential clients to integrate its products. Funds from their recent $800,000 pre-seed round will support pilot programs and further development, while enhancements in their bioprocess engineering capabilities will help facilitate scaling up and maintaining a competitive advantage.
Decarbonizing our economies in the race to fight climate change demands a wholesale overhauling of all sorts of production processes to make them as sustainable as possible. Greening chemicals, which are used as ingredients in all sorts of products, is where U.K. startup Deep Blue Biotech is putting its energies.