Welcome back to our exploration of the rise of the pioneers: visionary companies, and researchers leveraging the power of proteins to transform industries and create a more sustainable future.

In the first part of this series, we delved into how proteins are revolutionizing food production, fragrances, and textiles. In this second installment, we'll continue our journey by examining how these tiny marvels are being harnessed to tackle plastic waste, revolutionize the chemical industry, and more. As we uncover the incredible potential of proteins, it becomes clear that we are witnessing the beginning of a movement where a million companies will eventually replace traditional products and production methods with more sustainable alternatives. So, let's dive in and discover how these innovative bioneers are shaping a greener future.

Revolutionizing Plastic Waste 

While some companies are exploring eco-friendly alternatives to plastics, others are addressing the enormous amount of plastic waste that already exists. Every year, humanity generates about 350 million metric tons of plastic waste. To put this into perspective, this amount of plastic waste is equivalent to the weight of the entire human population multiplied by four. The sheer scale of this problem underscores the urgent need for effective solutions. Fortunately, some innovative companies have recognized that proteins may hold the key to tackling this crisis.

Protein Evolution, for instance, employs AI-designed enzymes to transform pre-processed plastic into reusable raw materials. These recycled materials can then be used to produce 100% recyclable plastic, offering a promising eco-friendly alternative to plastics made from fossil fuels.

The company's innovative process begins by collecting plastic waste to keep it out of landfills, incinerators, and the environment. Using its proprietary pre-processing technology, Protein Evolution prepares the waste for recycling, ensuring it is in the best condition for an effective enzyme treatment. Following pre-processing, the AI-designed enzymes, specially crafted to break down plastic, transform the waste into raw materials—the fundamental building blocks from which plastic is made. The raw materials derived from this process are then used by plastic manufacturers to create 100% recyclable plastic products. What makes this solution particularly attractive is that these recycled raw materials are identical to those derived from traditional fossil fuels, allowing manufacturers to transition to them without requiring major changes in their production processes.

Protein Evolution currently specializes in recycling polyester waste, but the company intends to broaden its scope to tackle polyurethane and polyamide pollution through its partnership with Basecamp Research.

But the company isn't alone in wielding fancy plastic-degrading enzymes. Established in 2016 through a collaboration between Carbios, Limagrain Ingredients, and the SPI investment fund operated by Bpifrance, Carbiolice possesses the transformative ability to convert plastic into compost. Through their pioneering enzymatic recycling technology, they've unlocked the potential to render PLA (Polylactic Acid) based plastics fully compostable right from the comfort of your own home.

So, what's wrong with PLA plastic? It's an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-derived plastics, crafted from renewable resources like corn starch or sugar cane. However, while PLA plastic is biodegradable, its breakdown occurs primarily under specific conditions, typically in industrial composting facilities, with considerably slower degradation in natural settings or home composting setups. Furthermore, while recyclable, the infrastructure for processing PLA plastic remains limited compared to conventional plastics. This shortfall in collection and recycling facilities inhibits its environmental advantages, often leading to disposal in landfills or incineration.

To avert a future where humanity evacuates Earth due to environmental deterioration and overconsumption, leaving behind a lone robot compressing garbage into uniform cubes, Carbiolice has developed a solution to hasten the degradation of PLA plastic. Their enzyme additive, Evanesto, can be seamlessly integrated into PLA-containing products during production, remaining inert throughout their usage. Upon reaching specific conditions, these products undergo degradation, even in home composting settings, completely biodegrading within 200 days. This versatile additive finds application in the production of thin and thick films, trays, coffee capsules and holds potential in agriculture.

Tales of Chemicals, Proteins, and Greener Future

The $6 trillion chemicals industry accounts for approximately 10% of global energy consumption and 20% of industrial greenhouse gas emissions. It also generates significant pollution in various forms, including air, water, and soil contamination, alongside issues such as resource depletion and waste generation. Given the extensive list of environmental concerns, it comes as no surprise that companies are actively working to address them.

Solugen’s goal is to use enzymes to make chemicals while simultaneously sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. Traditional chemical production is an energy-intensive process (these molecules really don't want to react with each other), relying on fossil fuels as raw materials and generating pollution. Enzymes are nature's machines. Design them well, and they can do all this much more efficiently. Solugen uses AI to design enzymes, which are then used to produce an array of specialty chemicals. These chemicals substitute the combustible and usually toxic petroleum-based versions that are the building blocks of countless products. Solugen can produce these chemicals at a lower cost, higher margin, and lower capex than a large, dirty industry.

Their first chemicals Solugen produces are hydrogen peroxide and glucaric acid, which are used in water treatment. Their platform can theoretically replicate this process for 90% of the other chemicals people use. The input at the moment is sugar, but their ultimate goal is for it to be just CO2. And instead of owning all the production facilities themselves, they might license the tech to anyone who wants to produce stuff way more efficiently while removing carbon from the air.

Meanwhile, as Solugen challenges conventional chemical sources, Geltor delves into alternative protein origins for the beauty and personal care industry. This US-based company revolutionizes protein production, providing a sustainable and ethical answer to the growing demand for animal-free proteins across diverse sectors.

The beauty and personal care industry represents a significant market, projected to generate US$646.20 billion in revenue worldwide in 2024. With consumers increasingly seeking products that align with their ethical values, the movement to eliminate animal-derived proteins, such as collagen, elastin, and keratin, from formulations has gained momentum in recent years, leading to the establishment of Geltor in 2015.

Harnessing the power of microbial fermentation and genetic engineering, Geltor's scientists have developed a proprietary technology platform that enables the efficient and sustainable production of proteins without the need for animal agriculture. Using databases of known natural protein sequences, they meticulously select and optimize the desired proteins. These proteins are then produced through fermentation using microorganisms, after which they undergo purification to ensure quality and effectiveness. Geltor currently offers animal-free alternatives to various types of collagen and elastin in skincare, haircare, and body care products and has launched collagen for the food industry.

Protein for Thought

Many more companies, ranging from pharmaceutical to mining companies, use proteins in their work in one way or another. We will continue to highlight their amazing work in their quest for better human and planetary health.

One thing is for certain: by making it easier to design proteins, we will undoubtedly see a million new #pioneers tackle the planet's most pressing challenges. 

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