4 Minutes With…Allen Barbieri, CEO, Biosynthetic Technologies

If you’ve been watching this space, you’ll remember that Evonik and BP share one known investemt — in Biosynthetic TEchnologies, a renewable chemicals venture that has also attracted funding from Monsanto.

At the helm — you might be surprised to find the former CFO of Buy.com, Allen Barbieri. Buy.com was one of the highest of high-flyers in the early days on online retailing, crossing the $100M revenue threshold in its first year of operations — and is still around today, though known as Rakuten.com after being acquired by the Japanese etailer in 2010 for $250M.

After serving as CEO of Lancer Orthodontics — here he is, in the forefront of the advanced bioeconomy.

Tell us about your organization and it’s role in the Advanced Bioeconomy.

Biosynthetic Technologies (BT) manufacturers renewable chemicals that are used in motor oils, industrial lubricants and other finished chemical products. the company holds over 20 issued patents and 30 pending patents. BT’s equity investors include BP, Monsanto, Evonik and others. Technology partner is USDA. Manufacturing partner is Albemarle.

Tell us about your role and what you are focused on in the next 12 months.

BT is working with almost every motor oil and industrial lubricant manufacturer/distributor in the industry to incorporate BT’s biosynthetic feedstocks included in the existing and new lubricant products these companies make. Major oil companies have tested and certified our biosynthetic oils in motor oils and industrial lubes products in lab, testing as well as field trials in automobiles(150,000 mile field trials in taxis, police cars, passenger vans…) and in industrial machinery.

These trials have all proven that Biosynthetic oils keep engines cleaner, and generally outperform the highest grade petroleum products in the market. Albemarle Chemical has build and is operating a demonstration plant making BT’s biosynthetic oils. next step is to build (in collaboration with Albemarle) a full scale commercial plant within Albemarle’s chemical plant in Houston TX.

What do you feel are the most important milestones the industry must achieve in the next 5 years?

In so many ways, the RFS has done far more damage to the bioeconomy than good. This industry must focus on technologies that truly benefit the environment. This could start by agreeing on a methodology to measure and compare the economic and environmental costs & benefits of varying biotechnologies.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing about the Advanced Bioeconomy, what would you change?

Politicians (both parties) and regulators only seem to be interested in the politics and not in creating real solutions.

Of all the reasons that influenced you to join the Advanced Bioeconomy industry, what single reason stands out for you as still being compelling and important to you?

After several successful executive roles in other industries, I thought if I was going to keep working, I wanted to be in a sector that could make a difference to those who come after me.

I still believe deeply in this cause, but the politics, the lies from industry and society’s lack of interest in the future makes it all very challenging.

You’ll be speaking at the next ABLCNext conference in San Francisco this November. What’s special about that week for you?

Meeting others looking to profit while making a difference (they are not mutually exclusive).

What was your undergraduate major in college, and where did you attend? Why did you choose that school and that pathway?

Undergrad major: Business Finance at Brigham Young University. Chose that school because I was an avid skier and because it is a great place to spend 4 years.

Who do you consider your mentors?

Anyone selflessly trying to make a difference in the world. My greatest idols are the people no-one every hears about. The ones quietly giving of their time and means to change lives… and change the world.

What’s the biggest lesson you ever learned during a period of adversity?

As much as I hate adversity, life’s serious trials have built my character. Also, it always seems to occur that when all seems lost, God opens a door and provides a path forward.

What hobbies do you pursue, away from your work in the industry?

What are 3 books you’d want to have with you, if you were stranded on a desert island.

a Bible

complete teaching of the Dali Lama

the Book of Mormon

What books or articles are on your reading list right now, or you just completed and really enjoyed?

“One Summer: America 1927” by Bill Bryson

“The Boys in the Boat” Daniel James Brown

The Economist Magazine

What’s your favorite city or place to visit, for a holiday?

Interlaken, Switzerland