Public Funding for Phase Biolabs Ltd

The chemical industry is responsible for 5.6% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. More than 90% of chemicals are currently made from fossil-resources in energy intensive processes and more than 95% of all products require chemicals during their manufacture. If we are to meet the UK Government's legislated target of net-zero by 2050, it is imperative that we not only reduce existing GHG emissions, but also develop new and sustainable processes to manufacture green chemicals. Phase Biolabs is a UK biotech start-up developing CO2-Biomanufacturing technology to convert GHGs such as carbon dioxide (CO2) into higher value products, enabling us to kill two birds with one stone. Our CO2-Biomanufacturing technology is based on a bioprocess called gas fermentation, which is similar to industrial fermentation bioprocess known as brewing. The difference is that gas fermentation uses CO2 rather than sugars as the input. This is possible because the specialised microorganisms catalysing the process are able to efficiently convert the CO2 into chemicals. Phase uses synthetic biology to engineer these specialised microorganisms to make them more efficient and more productive. CO2-Biomanufacturing technology can be used as a platform to reduce and recycle waste GHG emissions from existing industrial processes into green chemicals. This technology will provide value to emitters by enabling them to monetise their CO2 emissions while also providing a source of low carbon chemicals to downstream and local industries. This project brings together a consortium of stakeholders from across the proposed value chain to accelerate development of CO2-Biomanufacturing technology. Commercialisation of this technology will help establish new UK supply chains, improve UK resource efficiency and negate the need to import fossil resources, create 60 'green' R&D jobs in the UK and deliver environmental impact through the reduction of GHG emissions and improved air quality by 2033\.

Phase Biolabs Ltd is leading a consortium of UK-based biotechnology companies to develop its carbon recycling platform, which is based on gas fermentation. Gas fermentation has only been developed following the recent discovery of a new class of microorganism that thrive in the extreme conditions of deep-sea hydrothermal vents. These microorganisms actually "eat" and grow off of industrial waste gas and convert them into useful chemicals. The development of this technology is aimed at decarbonising business, energy and industry, by addressing the need for technologies that allow for the efficient and low cost conversion of waste industrial gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) into sustainable and higher value products. Phase Biolabs' innovate technology aims to unlock the potential of gas fermentation as an efficient, low cost and scalable solution to recycle industrial greenhouse gas emissions into carbon neutral chemicals. Their technology enables the creation of a carbon value chain by linking emitters of CO2 (upstream customer), with a user (downstream customer) of industrial chemicals. With their technology and commercial partners, Phase Biolabs is aiming to help the UK decarbonise and eventually reach its ambition for carbon neutrality.