VERDE Biomaterials is a Berkeley-based company that transforms agricultural waste into high-performance, biodegradable cellulose nanofibers. Its platform technology provides eco-friendly, fossil-free alternatives for the personal care, packaging, and construction industries.
VERDE Biomaterials (also known as VERDE Nanomaterials) is a chemical manufacturing company that develops advanced, sustainable materials derived from agricultural and industrial waste. Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Berkeley, California, the company utilizes a proprietary platform technology to transform biomass—such as corn stover, sugarcane bagasse, and other residues—into high-performance cellulose nanofibers (CNFs). These plant-based nanofibers are designed to serve as eco-friendly, biodegradable, and cost-effective alternatives to fossil-based polymers, petrochemicals, and other highly emissive materials. By employing mild chemistry that preserves the natural polymer structure, VERDE produces customizable materials suitable for a variety of industries, including personal care, packaging, automotive composites, textiles, and construction.
The company focuses on driving the circular bioeconomy by addressing technical barriers to the commercial adoption of next-generation bioproducts, such as feedstock variability and process scalability. Supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation, VERDE works with national laboratories and participates in innovation accelerators like BEAM Circular to refine its manufacturing processes. Their initial commercial efforts include providing biodegradable rheology modifiers for the personal care industry, aimed at eliminating microplastics in formulations. Through its R&D initiatives and industry collaborations, the company seeks to scale its production capacity and provide sustainable, climate-forward material solutions that perform at industrial scales.