Synthetic microbial ecosystems producing targeted biochemicals: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Ecovia Renewables

Inspired by the robustness and ability of natural microbial ecosystems to perform complex biochemical synthesis, Ecovia’s EcoSynth platform leverages a unique combination of know-how in microbial ecology and engineering for the design and construction of synthetic microbial ecosystems to efficiently produce target biochemical products.

Ecovia is deploying its EcoSynth platform to produce new high-performance, water-retaining biopolymers. BioGel materials can be tailored to absorb up to 300x their weight in water and formulated with adhesive properties. Produced through fermentation of renewable biomass, BioGel is 100% non-toxic, eco-friendly, and biodegradable. The BioGel material is difficult and expensive to manufacture conventionally. The reduced costs and feedstock-tunability of the novel manufacturing process, according to the company, enables new BioGel applications that are now economical.

CBO and co-founder Drew Hertig gave this illuminating overview of the company and its promise and progress at ABLC Next 2017 in San Francisco.