C16 Biosciences has successfully completed an industrial-scale fermentation of its biomanufactured alternative to palm oil, called Palmless.
C16 Biosciences, a synthetic biology company based in New York City, has made a breakthrough in its quest to find a sustainable alternative to palm oil, the most popular vegetable oil in the world.
The company has developed a biomanufactured alternative to palm oil called Palmless, which has similar functional attributes to palm oil and is created with precision fermentation using yeast.
The production of palm oil has been linked to significant greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation.
The two countries that produce 85% of palm oil, Indonesia and Malaysia, have contributed around 1.4% of global net CO2 emissions through the palm-driven land use.
Additionally, the industry has been linked to social and human rights issues, including child labor and the displacement of indigenous communities.
With demand for palm oil continuing to grow, a sustainable substitute is urgently needed to mitigate these issues.
C16 Biosciences identified a yeast strain that produces oil similar to that of palm oil, and then used laboratory evolution and strain engineering, as well as bioprocess engineering around fermentation conditions, to improve the strain’s performance and profile.
The successful completion of the first industrial-scale, 50,000 L fermentation of Palmless is a significant milestone for the company.
Palmless will be relevant across a wide range of consumer packaged goods applications, including beauty, personal care, home care, and food. The first products containing Palmless will be launched in the beauty sector in early 2023.
Shara Ticku, the co-founder and CEO of C16 Biosciences, stated that “The launch of Palmless is a big step forward in making a palm oil alternative a reality. Consumer brands have been seeking a palm alternative for years, but have lacked a real solution – until now.”
While the initial focus of C16 Biosciences is on palm oil, the company has a broader vision focused on the entire oils and fats spectrum and finding ways to decarbonize consumer product supply chains.