Visolis Utilizes Synthetic Biology to Convert Biomass into Eco-Friendly Everyday Items

Under the guidance of Deepak Dugar, Visolis is revolutionizing manufacturing processes with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The company uses microbes to ferment biomass waste, creating a carbon-negative building block for a wide array of products. Visolis already has several products and a revenue stream in the millions, with plans to increase their operations, adding sustainable aviation fuel to their product line.

Deepak Dugar, the founder of Visolis, is committed to decarbonizing the production of a range of products, from rubber to jet fuel.

Weaning off fossil fuels will necessitate a change in manufacturing methods. Hydrocarbons found in fossil fuels such as crude oil, natural gas, and coal are also present in everyday items like plastics, clothing, and cosmetics.

Visolis, established by Deepak Dugar, an MIT alumnus, is merging synthetic biology and chemical catalysis to revolutionize manufacturing — significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the process.

The company transforms biomass waste like wood chips into a molecular building block called mevalonic acid by using a specific microbe. The company is thus sustainably manufacturing everything from car tires and cosmetics to aviation fuels by adjusting the chemical processes to produce different byproducts.

Visolis, an innovative startup led by MIT graduate Deepak Dugar, employs synthetic biology to decarbonize the manufacturing of a wide array of products from jet fuel to rubber to skincare.

Dugar explains, “We initially started with isoprene, a key molecule derived from mevalonic acid, as our primary product. However, we’ve since broadened our platform with this unique fusion of chemistry and biology that allows us to rapidly and efficiently decarbonize multiple supply chains. Imagine carbon-negative yoga pants — we can make that a reality. Everything from personal care products to apparel to industrial goods can reduce their carbon footprint, and we are already supplying personal care items.”

Visolis is already collaborating with some of the world’s largest consumers of isoprene, a raw material for rubber. Now, Dugar aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of the company’s process in other industries that are heavy emitters.

“Our process is carbon-negative because we utilize plant matter that has absorbed CO2 from the air. We transform it into synthetic rubber, which is used in products like roofing and tires,” explains Dugar. “In most cases, these materials are recycled at the end of their life cycle, thereby preserving the carbon that was initially captured by the plants. This means our production can be carbon-negative depending on the emissions associated with the production process. This allows us not only to reduce climate change but potentially to reverse it.”

During his doctoral studies, Dugar researched the economic viability of utilizing microbes to create high-octane gas additives. Inspired by classes on sustainability and entrepreneurship at the MIT Sloan School of Management, he decided to start a company.

Driven by his desire to create a significant climate impact, Dugar decided to replace petroleum in both fuels and materials. He pursued this idea after analyzing recent advances in synthetic biology and conducting some first-principle calculations. With the help of others at MIT, he demonstrated the viability of a microbial approach to cleaning up rubber production.

After developing a microbe that met 80 percent of his criteria for producing mevalonic acid, he then developed a chemical catalysis process that converted this acid to isoprene, the primary component of natural rubber. Visolis has since patented other chemical conversion processes that convert mevalonic acid into aviation fuel, polymers, and fabrics.

Today, Visolis is selling skincare products under the brand Ameva Bio, which makes creams from mevalonic acid by recycling plant byproducts. Visolis is also starting the process to gain regulatory approval for its sustainable aviation fuel, which Dugar believes could have the largest climate impact by decarbonizing commercial flight fuel production.

Visolis, which already generates millions of dollars in revenue, is looking to rapidly scale now that its core molecule has been validated. Dugar says, “We have been increasing the capacity of our technology tenfold every two to three years, and we’re excited about keeping up this momentum.”

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• Visolis Official Website
• Deepak Dugar Profile
• Sustainable Aviation Fuel
• Synthetic Biology Overview
• About Carbon-Negative Technologies