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Biosimo – Sustainable Chemicals Pilot

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The project management is responsible for the content of the information provided.

Project data

  • Project no: GRS-008/22 
  • Amount of funding: CHF 150'000 
  • Approved: 05.05.2022 
  • Duration: 07.2022 - 03.2024 
  • Area of activity:  InnoBooster, seit 2018

Project management

Project description

Biosimo develops low-cost, plant-based, green chemicals, leading the transition to a fossil-free chemical industry and reducing the carbon footprint of everyday products.
Biosimo, named after the Greek word for «worthy of life», is a clean-tech company that produces sustainable bulk chemicals, starting with acetyls. The global acetyls market size is estimated at USD above 40 billion and has an annual footprint of more than 70 Megatons of CO2. Introducing renewable chemicals and fuels is necessary to drive the transition from a fossil to a renewable carbon-based economy and achieve the ambitions of the NetZero 2050 climate targets. At the heart of this breakthrough is Biosimo's proprietary heterogeneous catalyst and chemical process that utilizes biomass as a feedstock, allowing for scalable, high-throughput production that, at the same time, is cost-effective. Biosimo delivers carbon-negative products while maintaining the customer-required quality, quantity, and price. The process also eliminates toxic and hazardous additives. Biosimo's solution addresses the urgent need for a bio-carbon and safer alternative to traditional chemical production, providing a more sustainable and eco-friendly choice for the chemical industry with direct substitution in the supply chain. Biosimo aims to create a broad portfolio of green chemicals and solvents needed in all daily products. With a mission to mitigate climate change and promote sustainable practices, Biosimo is committed to positively impacting the world through cutting-edge technology and responsible business practices.

Status/Results

Biosimo AG has grown its team to 5 FTEs, progressed its technology out of the lab to mini-pilot. The construction and cold commissioning of the mini-pilot reactor were completed in March 2023 and it is now producing glacial acetic acid at kilogram-scale. The product is offered and tested by future customers to validate its quality for their processes. The mini-pilot reactor has delivered valuable insights into the stability and robustness of the catalytic process on feedstock quality. The mini-pilot plant will be expanded in Q2’2024 adding more capacity and upgrading it into the pilot plant capacity of >10 tons p.a. The catalyst formulation has been commercialized with our partners and is ready for deployment. Life-Cycle and Techno-economic assessment of the Biosimo process have been completed highlighting the sustainability, resource-efficiency, and cost-competitiveness against fossil-based processes.
In addition to the technological and production progress, Biosimo has made significant strides in building partnerships with industry players. The company has received orders and LOIs for its bio acetic acid and is considering partnerships with chemical distributors to increase production volumes. Biosimo is also in discussions for potential licensing partnerships with ethanol producers in Germany and Brazil, as well as chemical manufacturers outside Europe.
In terms of funding, Biosimo has secured about CHF 1’000’000 in grants, equity, initial capital, and sweat money. Additionally, the company won VentureKick and >>venture and has been selected as a finalist for the ACHEMA 2024 startup prize.

Links

Persons involved in the project

Sotiria Mostrou-Moser, CEO and Co-Founder Biosimo
Maximilian Moser, CTO and Co-Founder

Last update to this project presentation  14.10.2024