fabricnano Secures $12.5M to Scale Cell-Free Biofuel Technology

FabricNano's DNA Wafer: A New Approach to Biomanufacturing

The concept of DNA being likened to a wafer is unconventional, yet it’s the analogy employed by Grant Aarons, founder of FabricNano, a pioneering cell-free biomanufacturing firm. This innovative DNA technology is poised to potentially disrupt the expansive global petrochemical industry, currently heavily reliant on fossil fuels and their derivatives.

Company Origins and Core Technology

FabricNano, a London-based enterprise, was established in 2018 through the support of Entrepreneur First, a renowned technology startup accelerator. The company’s focus lies in the advancement of cell-free biomanufacturing. This process utilizes enzymes, naturally found within cells or microbes, to generate desired end-products.

FabricNano distinguishes itself by immobilizing these enzymes onto a unique DNA wafer – a process known as enzyme immobilization. Aarons contends that this method yields superior efficiency in chemical production, surpassing traditional cell-based systems, and crucially, avoids dependence on fossil fuels.

Recent Funding and Investor Interest

This week marked a significant milestone for FabricNano, as the company secured $12.5 million in Series A funding. This investment round attracted a notable group of angel investors.

The funding was spearheaded by Atomico, with additional contributions from prominent figures including Twitter co-founder Biz Stone, actress and UN Sustainability Ambassador Emma Watson, and former Bayer CEO Alexander Moscho.

Strategic Angel Investor Selection

“Our strategy involved actively seeking angel investors who aligned with the company’s vision,” explains Aarons. “We specifically targeted individuals with expertise in technology, recognizing that our product serves as an enabling technology for manufacturers.”

He clarifies, “We aren’t aiming to directly manufacture bio-based plastics or monomers on a large scale. Instead, our goal is to empower manufacturers with the technology needed to produce these materials efficiently, sustainably, and at a competitive cost. This represents a scalable and sustainable pathway for creating low-value molecules, such as bioplastics.”

Addressing the Petrochemical Industry

FabricNano’s core identity is rooted in providing a bio-based alternative within the substantial petrochemical sector.

Currently, approximately 14 percent of global oil demand is allocated to plastic production. Projections by the International Energy Agency in 2018 suggest that petrochemicals will account for roughly half of the world’s oil demand by 2050.

Environmental Impact of Petrochemicals and Plastics

Plastics, a primary output of the petrochemical industry, contribute to climate change throughout their entire lifecycle – from the energy-intensive manufacturing process involving heating oil or ethane, to their eventual incineration as waste. If current production and consumption trends persist, emissions are forecast to reach 1.34 gigatons by 2030, equivalent to the output of 295 coal-fired power plants, as reported by the Center for International Environmental Law.

Increasing plastic production, regardless of the manufacturing method, inevitably contributes to ecological damage (scientists have advocated for a cessation of “virgin” plastic production by 2040).

The Complexity of "Bioplastics"

The term “bioplastic” is often ambiguous, encompassing materials ranging from biodegradable plastics to those created without fossil fuels – even if they lack biodegradability. This ambiguity renders the environmentally-friendly plastics market vulnerable to greenwashing.

The Potential of Biomanufacturing

The extent to which biomanufacturing can mitigate the petrochemical industry’s contribution to climate change remains to be seen. Aarons believes that cell-free manufacturing offers a compelling alternative, potentially diverting the industry away from petroleum (or ethanol in the US) for the production of plastics and other commodity chemicals.

“We envision a new technology taking hold in the commodities sector, shifting a significant portion of petroleum-based products towards biological processes,” states Aarons.

Scaling Cell-Free Manufacturing

Concerns surrounding existing plastic production methods create opportunities for viable alternatives, provided they can achieve scalability and cost-effectiveness. Evidence suggests that cell-free manufacturing has already demonstrated successful scaling.

For example, the production of high fructose corn syrup relies on enzymes to break down corn starch into glucose. The final step, requiring the enzyme glucose isomerase, represents a large-scale application of cell-free technology, as Aarons points out.

FabricNano's Expanding Chemical Portfolio

FabricNano aims to build upon this established concept, expanding its range of available chemicals. Currently, the company can produce 1,3 propanediol, a potential substitute for polyethylene glycol in products like toothpaste and shampoo. The production process utilizes glycerin, a byproduct of biodiesel manufacturing, potentially reducing costs and offering a renewable feedstock.

Aarons reveals that FabricNano has successfully produced four additional products, though details remain undisclosed. The company is actively exploring opportunities within the pharmaceutical sector and in the realm of commodity chemicals. “1,3 propanediol is merely the beginning,” he asserts.

The DNA Scaffold: FabricNano's Key Innovation

FabricNano’s unique approach centers on its DNA scaffold. If the enzymes responsible for chemical production represent the software, the DNA scaffold serves as the company’s hardware.

This hardware is central to FabricNano’s strategy for integrating cell-free technology into the commodity chemicals market.

“A significant barrier to the widespread adoption of cell-free manufacturing has been the lack of a generalized technology for immobilizing proteins,” Aarons explains. “Our DNA scaffold addresses this challenge.”

Future Plans and Investment

With the new funding secured, FabricNano plans to expand its team from 12 to 30 employees and relocate to a larger office in London. The company’s total investment now stands at $16 million.