Sustainability-in-Tech : AI-Designed Bacteria Creates Rubber Alternative

Paris-based biotech startup BaCta, which has just secured €3.3 million in funding, produces natural rubber using genetically engineered bacteria, thereby offering a sustainable alternative to traditional rubber sources and synthetic, petroleum-based versions.

What’s The Problem With How We Get Rubber Now? 

The current methods of rubber production present several significant environmental and sustainability issues. Synthetic rubber, which makes up about half of the global supply, is derived from petroleum-based chemicals. This process is highly energy-intensive and contributes heavily to CO2 emissions, exacerbating climate change. Also, synthetic rubber is non-biodegradable, meaning it persists in the environment, adding to the growing issue of plastic waste pollution.

Natural rubber, sourced from Hevea trees, is also not without its problems. While it may seem more environmentally friendly, the growing demand for rubber has driven deforestation in tropical regions, where land is cleared for plantations. This not only destroys vital ecosystems and reduces biodiversity but also releases significant amounts of carbon stored in trees and soil, further worsening climate change. Also, these rubber plantations are typically monocultures, which can degrade soil health and make crops more vulnerable to pests and disease.

Both forms of rubber production are under increasing pressure as manufacturers face stricter emissions regulations. The deforestation linked to natural rubber and the reliance on petrochemicals for synthetic rubber are incompatible with global sustainability goals. The industry also often suffers from supply chain instability, compounded by climate change and socio-political issues in rubber-producing regions.

Factors such as these have led to growing interest in alternatives like BaCta’s bioengineered rubber, which aims to offer a carbon-neutral, renewable solution that mitigates the environmental and ethical concerns associated with traditional rubber production.

How Does BaCta Make Rubber From Bacteria? 

BaCta produces rubber using genetically engineered bacteria, specifically Escherichia coli. The process begins by feeding these bacteria a renewable feedstock, such as glucose, acetate, or even carbon directly captured from the atmosphere. Inside the bacteria, AI-designed enzymes transform the carbon source into isoprene, the key building block of rubber. The bacteria then polymerise the isoprene into natural rubber through a unique synthetic pathway. The resulting synthetic rubber is then extracted and purified. This method allows BaCta to create high-quality, carbon-neutral rubber without the environmental downsides of traditional methods, such as deforestation or petrochemical dependence.

Benefits 

BaCta’s synthetic rubber offers several key benefits. For example:

– Carbon neutrality. The production process is designed to be carbon-neutral, and potentially even carbon-negative, significantly reducing the carbon footprint compared to traditional rubber production. BaCta says on its website that not using traditional rubber could mean, “More than 500 million tons eqCO2 could be removed every year”.

– It uses renewable feedstock. BaCta uses renewable sources like glucose, acetate, and carbon in its synthetic rubber production, thereby avoiding reliance on petroleum (used in synthetic rubber) or deforestation (linked to natural rubber).

– It’s hypoallergenic. By engineering the bacteria to remove specific proteins found in natural rubber (sap), BaCta’s rubber can be hypoallergenic, reducing the risk of allergic reactions.

– It’s sustainable. The process avoids the environmental issues of deforestation and land degradation associated with rubber plantations, making it a more sustainable option.

– It’s high quality. BaCta says its material is, “Superior quality Long chain, ultra-low impurity content, hypoallergenic rubber”. 

– Cost competitiveness. BaCta aims to produce rubber at a price point that’s competitive with conventional rubber (at a “fixed price, no fluctuation, no uncertainty”), while delivering environmental benefits.

Has A Functioning ‘Proof of Concept’ 

BaCta has moved beyond the conceptual stage and already has a functioning proof of concept (PoC) for producing natural rubber using the engineered bacteria. That said, although company has successfully demonstrated the process in the lab, it is still in the early stages of scaling up production. Currently, BaCta is working on increasing its output, aiming to move from laboratory-scale production (milligrams of rubber) to industrial levels, with the next step being a pilot-scale operation involving larger fermenters.

Funding 

The company recently secured €3.3 million in funding from investors including OVNI Capital, Kima Ventures, and several business angels. This funding is intended to support the scale-up process, helping BaCta transition from producing small batches to larger quantities needed for commercial use.

Rubber For What?

Initially, BaCta plans to start by targeting the luxury fashion industry, e.g. for use in the manufacture of premium shoes and bags, which requires smaller amounts of high-quality rubber, before expanding into more industrial applications.

What Does This Mean For Your Organisation? 

BaCta’s innovative approach to rubber production could have far-reaching implications for the many industries that rely heavily on rubber. From automotive manufacturers, which use rubber for tyres, seals, and various components, to healthcare sectors that depend on rubber for gloves, tubing, and other essential products, the potential applications of BaCta’s sustainable rubber are vast. Although BaCta’s initial target is businesses in the fashion industry, by providing a carbon-neutral, renewable alternative to traditional rubber, BaCta can potentially offer businesses in many industries a chance to significantly reduce their environmental impact. This is especially important as industries face mounting pressure to meet stringent emissions regulations and consumer demand for sustainable products.

For businesses, switching to BaCta’s bioengineered rubber could mean not only reducing their carbon footprints but also gaining a competitive edge in a marketplace that increasingly values eco-friendly practices. With its ability to produce hypoallergenic, high-quality rubber that is cost-competitive with traditional options, BaCta’s product could easily replace conventional rubber without sacrificing performance or cost efficiency. Also, as supply chain disruptions and resource scarcity become more prevalent due to climate change, BaCta’s method, which bypasses the need for deforestation and petrochemicals, presents a more stable and sustainable alternative.

As BaCta scales up its production, it could also help businesses mitigate the risks associated with the volatility of traditional rubber supply chains, which are often subject to geopolitical tensions and environmental degradation. If widely adopted, this new form of rubber could lead to a significant reduction in global CO2 emissions and deforestation, offering industries a pathway to sustainable growth while aligning with global climate goals. BaCta’s synthetic rubber could, therefore, reshape the future of rubber-reliant industries, making sustainability a reality.