Phaxtec, Inc.

Phaxtec, Inc. is a biotech startup focused on the development, production, and commercialization of natural and biodegradable materials based on Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). The company’s technology utilizes industrial fermentation and proprietary processes to convert renewable resources, including waste gases, into PHA biopolymers. By developing these sustainable alternatives to fossil-based, non-biodegradable plastics, Phaxtec aims to provide materials that are recyclable, home and industrially compostable, and marine biodegradable. The company employs a hybrid business model that combines internal research and development—supported by grants from organizations like the National Science Foundation and the USDA—with strategic partnerships to accelerate market entry and reduce commercialization risks.

These material solutions are designed for a variety of applications, including food service packaging, agriculture, personal care, textiles, and automotive components. Phaxtec’s work addresses significant environmental challenges, such as plastic pollution and the accumulation of microplastics, by offering performance-competitive alternatives that do not compete with food sources. The company collaborates with technology partners and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to integrate its PHA-based coatings and materials into existing supply chains, striving to replace traditional synthetic plastics with environmentally safe, bio-based options. Based in Wake Forest, North Carolina, and founded in 2019, the company actively engages in research to scale its production pathways for sustainable barrier coatings and advanced biopolymer applications.