article thumbnail

Forsaking funding at a $1 billion valuation, Solugen preps a new green chemical product and a big 2021

TechCrunch

Late last year, Solugen , a startup using synthetic biology to take hydrocarbons out of the chemicals industry, decided against pursuing a new round of funding that would have valued the company at over $1 billion, TechCrunch has learned. Chemicals are everywhere and they’re a huge business.

Chemicals 230
article thumbnail

Allozymes looks to upend chemical manufacturing with rapid enzyme engineering and $5M seed

TechCrunch

Part of the complex process that turns raw materials into finished products like detergents, cosmetics and flavors relies on enzymes, which facilitate chemical transformations. These large, complex molecules bind to other substances in a way that facilitates a chemical reaction, say turning sugars in a cell into a more usable form of energy.

Chemicals 230
article thumbnail

Dow turns to AI to accelerate chemical search

CIO

With several million compounds to choose from, chemists often must resort to intuition when trying to solve complex problems around chemical processes. US multinational Dow Chemical was working with a pulp and paper manufacturer to improve inefficiencies in its chemical process with a goal of producing a better, safer pulp yield.

Chemicals 143
article thumbnail

Novoloop says it’s worked out how to upcycle plastic waste, raises $11M Series A

TechCrunch

Upcycling polyethylene (the normal ubiquitous plastic we are all familiar with) into high-value plastics that can compete with “virgin” plastic (meaning plastics made directly from petro-chemicals) is a fiendish problem to solve. Novoloop is setting out to transform plastic waste into high-performance chemicals and materials.

Chemicals 222
article thumbnail

Plastic upcycling startup Novoloop raises $10M Series A extension to accelerate commercialization

TechCrunch

Novoloop , a plastic upcycling startup, said Wednesday it has raised a $10 million Series A extension round co-led by South Korean chemical firm Hanwha Solutions and Taizo Son’s Mistletoe. Novoloop’s mission is to create a circular economy by transforming low-value plastic waste into high-quality chemicals and materials, Wang added.

Chemicals 249
article thumbnail

Oxyle’s tech uses water movement to remove pollutants

TechCrunch

The startup’s customers include companies in the pesticide, chemical, textile pigments, electronics and pharmaceutical sectors that are regulated by strict discharge limits. While earning her masters, Dr. Mushtaq worked with synthetic chemicals to develop new nanomaterials for biomedical applications. Oxyle’s team.

Chemicals 207
article thumbnail

UniSieve’s filters use special crystals to reduce industrial emissions

TechCrunch

The energy-intensive process of separating and purifying chemicals and gases is a big reason why industries like plastic manufacturing cause so much pollution. UniSieve is already making revenue and currently has over 24 clients, including chemical and energy companies. Today the Zurich-based startup announced it has raised $5.5

Industry 202