Renaissance BioScience has teamed up with UK-based Biome Bioplastics on a two-year, CAD$1.5 million (US$1.07 million) project aimed at producing renewable bioplastic building blocks through advanced fermentation.
The collaboration, backed by advisory services and funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program and UK Research and Innovation’s Innovate UK, will target applications in packaging, personal care, health, and consumer goods—offering a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics.
Paul Mines, CEO of Biome Bioplastics, told Packaging Insights: “Scaling any biological process from pilot to commercial production brings challenges around consistency, cost, and material performance. Our collaboration is specifically designed to address these.”
He added: “By combining Renaissance’s expertise in microbial engineering with Biome’s long experience in materials development and industrial scale-up, we will systematically test and optimize the process at increasing scales.”
Over the course of the project, the companies plan to develop a system to produce a bio-based, renewable building block for bioplastics. Work will include strain engineering and fermentation trials in Canada and the UK, alongside test samples for packaging and personal care applications with global partners.
“Biome already supplies bioplastic materials to global packaging and consumer goods supply chains, so we understand first-hand what is required to scale reliably, cost-effectively, and with the right quality. That experience significantly de-risks the transition from a promising fermentation output to a commercially viable packaging material,” Mines said.
He emphasized the importance of early collaboration with multinational partners: “Early engagement with multinational partners in packaging and personal care will ensure the material performs reliably in real manufacturing environments across multiple geographies. The goal is to create a scalable, cost-effective pathway that is ready for commercial adoption and competitive with today’s fossil-based plastics.”
The partnership will also focus on regulatory compliance and sustainability. Mines explained: “Compliance and sustainability are built into the project from the outset. Rigorous testing, both in-house and with industry partners, will ensure the materials meet functional requirements for packaging and consumer goods.”
“Biome’s existing global customer base means we are experienced in navigating these regulatory frameworks and performance expectations in multiple regions. This provides a foundation for bringing new materials to market quickly and responsibly,” he added.
Finally, Mines noted the environmental impact: “Independent sustainability assessments will help demonstrate the environmental benefits compared to traditional plastics. By taking this integrated approach, we can ensure the materials are safe and credible for international adoption.”
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