MADISON, Wis. (June 17, 2021) – Circular Industries Pte. Ltd. has opened a synthetic biology lab in the Forward BIOLABS coworking life science space in Madison, Wisconsin, under its U.S.-based subsidiary, Circular Innovations LLC.
This group will further develop Circular Industries’ fermentation technology to make sustainable chemicals from renewable feedstocks. The new U.S. subsidiary will closely cooperate with Circular Industries’ research team in Singapore, and results will support the ongoing establishment of a sustainable biomanufacturing hub in Singapore and Switzerland. These efforts also will set the stage for potential production expansions to other countries.
The first project in this space will focus on producing sustainable isopropanol and acetone from oil residues of the vegetable oil industry. This novel process will expand the availability of biobased acetone and provide a previously unavailable bio-based source of sustainable isopropanol.
Future projects will incorporate chemistry and other biotech inventions to expand product line to areas such as sustainable aviation fuel and bio-monomers.
“This is another important step in our goal to empower a truly circular economy,” Circular Industries Founder Ralf Lange said. “We are developing technology that consumes biowaste and provides a needed product at a reasonable price. We already have commercial interest for our first two production plants to be located in Switzerland and Singapore. We are very excited about the work that our Chief Technology Officer José M. Laplaza is starting in Madison.”
Dr. Laplaza noted that Madison is a fantastic place to start a research group.
“Not only do you have the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a great standard of living, but you also have a vibrant local biotech community and a great incubator in Forward BIOLABS,” Laplaza said.
Jessica Martin Eckerly, CEO and co-founder of Forward BIOLABS, said the organization is delighted to host Circular Innovations at Forward BIOLABS.
“Our facility here in Madison is designed to get startups like Circular Innovations working in the lab quickly, allowing them to meet development milestones efficiently while getting established within our network and community,” Martin Eckerly said.
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