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Bio-on

MaterialsBologna, ItalyFounded 2007· One of 955 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.

Industry Verticals

Packaging; Automotive; Biomedical; Design; Clothing

Competitors

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

https://www.bio-on.it

Why this company matters

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.