Pilot partners
Ourobio has developed a novel fermentation technology to produce safe, cost competitive, bio-based and biodegradable plastic resins and pigments from food+agricultural byproducts like cheese whey and soybean meal.
Over the course of 2026, Ourobio will work with the University of Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research to conduct ~500L pilot fermentation trials and produce the first kilograms of our novel co-products. The first run is expected in February, with 6 scheduled throughout the year to advance from our TRL 4 multi-colored PHA proof-of-concept to TRL 6/7.
Ourobio is currently looking for partners to help characterize and test our products in biomaterial blends, explore new use-cases, and support our scale-up!
About Ourobio
Ourobio is a synthetic biology company that develops engineered microorganisms to transform industrial byproducts into sustainable, bio-based, and biodegradable materials. Their biomanufacturing suite utilizes scalable fermentation processes to convert waste-based feedstocks into polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and other bio-based additives. A key differentiator of their technology is the ability of their unique microbes to produce complementary biomaterials, such as plastic resins and pigments, simultaneously within a single fermentation process, all while avoiding the diversion of resources away from food production.
By providing a sustainable alternative to petrochemical-derived products, Ourobio aims to help brands lower their environmental footprint, reduce microplastic pollution, and facilitate the transition toward a circular economy. The company supports partners through services including waste stream analysis, product and material formulation, and the licensing of their proprietary fermentation technologies. Originally founded as an academic research project, Ourobio operates with a focus on decarbonization and replacing materials that are difficult to recycle.
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