Strengthening industrial collaboration is one of the effective ways to rapidly lay out synthetic biology tracks.
Bio-based Energy and Materials has learned that Solvay has recently announced an increased investment in a partnership with Ginkgo Bioworks (NYSE: DNA) that will accelerate the development of new renewable materials and biotechnology platforms, solidifying Solvay's important position in this direction.
Ginkgo Bioworks is building the leading platform for cell programming and biosafety. As part of this partnership, Solvay will also acquire Ginkgo (formerly Zymergen) Laboratories. In turn, Solvay will integrate its technologies in bioinformatics/data science, strain engineering, biocatalysis and fermentation processes.
Through this partnership, Solvay will join forces with Ginkgo to develop synthetic biology for greener and more sustainable chemicals and materials and their applications in a wide range of markets, including home personal care, agri-tech and food. In addition to this, the partnership platform will complement and impact the company's three platform areas of battery materials, green hydrogen and thermoplastic composites.
How do you see the two partnerships?
In Solvay's 2022 report, the development of a renewable materials and biotechnology platform in response to strong market demand for sustainable products is a key focus for the company. Increase the share of sustainable solutions in the Solvay Group's sales to 65% by 2022, more than double the share of products based on recycled raw materials or energy, and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of its plants by 30% across the board.
Chemistry needs the power of biology. This is the consistent philosophy of the people responsible for the Renewable Materials and Biotechnology platform. And prior to the launch of the new platform, Solvay was already a leader in certain bio-based products such as guar gum, biosolvents and vanillin.
Ginkgo Bioworks, a leader in synthetic biology startups, says its more than 80 major projects are active on its platform and is looking to integrate more global cell engineering needs.
Historically, reproducibility and predictability have been obstacles in biotechnology projects, as well as a huge barrier to scale and commercialization.
solvay is committed to meeting this industry development challenge and strengthening industry partnerships to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable chemical industry.
