MaterialsBologna, ItalyFounded 2007· One of 1019 Materials companies tracked by AMPulse
Produces PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) biopolymers from renewable sources for sustainable materials in packaging, automotive, and additive manufacturing applications.
CEO / Founder
Marco Astorri (arrested in 2019, company declared bankrupt)
Team Size
11-50
Stage
Active
Total Funding
$22.5M
Key Investors
Public Investors
Technology & Products
Key Products
MINERV-PHA biopolymer
Technological Advantage
Proprietary fermentation process for PHA production, offering a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Offers 100% natural, biodegradable bioplastics that reduce environmental impact and enable eco-friendly production across industries.
How They Differentiate
Focuses specifically on PHA biopolymers for broad industrial use, including potential AM filaments, unlike general bioplastic competitors.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Manufacturers in packaging, automotive, design, and biomedical sectors seeking biodegradable alternatives.
EcoSynthetix; Suzhou Jiulong Recycling Technology; PILI
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
In 2018, Bio-on reported a profit of 33.5 million euros on sales of 51 million euros. In 2019, the CEO was arrested in a false accounting and market manipulation probe, and shares were indefinitely suspended from trading.
Major Milestones
2018: Reported profit of 33.5 million euros on sales of 51 million euros; 2019: CEO arrested in false accounting and market manipulation probe; 2019: Shares indefinitely suspended from trading
Bio-on produced polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolymers from renewable sources, targeting sustainable materials for packaging, automotive, and additive manufacturing. Its MINERV-PHA biopolymer was positioned as a biodegradable alternative to petroleum-based plastics, with potential use as filament for polymer AM processes like FDM.
The company used a proprietary fermentation process to convert agricultural waste or renewable feedstocks into PHA, a fully biodegradable plastic. This differentiated it from general bioplastic competitors by focusing specifically on PHA for broad industrial use, including biomedical and design sectors.
Bio-on reported a profit of 33.5 million euros on sales of 51 million euros in 2018. However, in 2019 its CEO was arrested in a false accounting and market manipulation probe, shares were indefinitely suspended from trading, and the company declared bankruptcy in December 2019. Historical funding included $7.4 million and €14 million from public investors, and a partnership with Unilever Caribbean Limited.
The collapse leaves a gap in the market for PHA-based AM materials, as the technology's promise of eco-friendly, biodegradable filaments remains unfulfilled by a commercial supplier. Competitors like EcoSynthetix and Suzhou Jiulong Recycling Technology operate in adjacent bioplastics spaces but have not specifically targeted additive manufacturing.