Executive Summary: Which are the Top 20 Sustainable Chemical Startups to Watch?

  1. Bio Base (Moldova) – develops Bio 2.0 plasticisers and sustainable base materials from non-food waste.
  2. Biomr (UK) – produces plastic-free, PFAS-free high-performance textile coatings using upcycled agricultural waste and biopolymers for the fashion industry.
  3. Terradote (USA) – converts CO₂, methane, and biomass waste into renewable chemicals like acrylonitrile and ABS through enzymatic and catalytic processes.
  4. Near Material (UAE) – creates vegan bio-based materials from date palm waste, providing low-carbon alternatives for fashion, packaging, and consumer goods.
  5. Skyhem (Turkey) – manufactures bio-based process oils like ECOSKY-3103 from tall oil derivatives for sustainable tire and rubber production.
  6. Shreenika (USA) – engineers microbes and biocatalysts to produce high-purity chemicals via fermentation and biocatalysis from renewable feedstocks.
  7. Cellarim Labs (India) – synthesizes cell-free, vegan hyaluronic acid via precision biocatalysis, eliminating animal inputs and fermentation waste.
  8. MacroCarbon (Spain) – cultivates pelagic macroalgae to produce biofuels and carbon-negative chemical inputs while enhancing marine biodiversity.
  9. Entalpic (France) – builds an AI-driven platform for eco-friendly chemical discovery using generative models, quantum simulation, and active learning.
  10. Electroflow Technologies (USA) – develops electrochemical lithium extraction systems that reduce water use and chemical inputs in battery production.
  11. General Biological (USA) – enables zero-emission chemical bioproduction via whole-cell catalysts and CO₂-capturing bioreactors for industrial applications.
  12. H2Pro (Israel) – offers membrane-free E-TAC technology for high-efficiency green hydrogen production at 45+ bar pressure using water-splitting.
  13. Anodyne Chemistries (Canada) – combines enzyme engineering and electrolysis to produce sustainable fuels and pharmaceutical inputs at ambient conditions.
  14. Zenfold Sustainable Technologies (India) – manufactures specialty chemicals using biocatalysis, solvent reduction, and zero-discharge infrastructure.
  15. Imperagen (UK) – builds a platform for ultra-fast enzyme engineering using AI, synthetic biology, and simulation to enable green chemical synthesis.
  16. Again (Denmark) – captures CO₂ at the emission source and ferments it into carbon-negative chemicals using bacteria-driven bioreactors.
  17. Polymer-X (USA) – converts plastic waste into jet fuel, diesel, and hydrogen using electrified heating and machine learning-enhanced process control.
  18. DUDE CHEM (Germany) – applies computational chemistry and digitized synthesis routes to produce APIs with reduced hazardous inputs and emissions.
  19. Oxylum (Belgium) – transforms CO₂ into formic acid and ethylene using electrochemical catalysts powered by renewable energy sources.
  20. Cascade Biocatalysts (USA) – enhances enzyme stability for biomanufacturing through modular assemblies and resin-optimized biocatalyst systems.

Global Startup Heat Map highlights Emerging Sustainable Chemical Startups to Watch

Through the Big Data & Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, covering over 9M+ startups, 20K+ technology trends, plus 150M+ patents, news articles & market reports, we identified the top sustainable chemical startups.

The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights emerging sustainable chemical startups you should watch in 2026, as well as the geo-distribution of 450+ startups & scaleups we analyzed for this research.

According to our data, we observe high startup activity in Western Europe and India, followed by the United States. The top 5 Startup Hubs for sustainable chemical are London, Mumbai, Bangalore, Sydney, and San Francisco.

 

Meet Emerging Sustainable Chemical Startups to Watch in 2026

We hand-picked startups to showcase in this report by filtering for their technology, founding year, location, funding, and other metrics. These emerging sustainable chemical startups work on solutions ranging from cell-free hyaluronic acid and macroalgae-based biofuels to AI-powered materials discovery and lithium chemical sustainability.

1. Bio Base – Bio 2.0 Plasticisers and Sustainable Base Materials

  • Founding Year: 2023
  • Location: Signera, Moldova

Moldova-based startup Bio Base provides eco-friendly chemical manufacturing solutions through its Bio 2.0 technology. It creates sustainable plasticisers and base materials from non-food waste resources.

The startup offers products such as Pinella Bio, Pinella Base, Pinella MES, and Pinella TDAE that replace petroleum-based oils while ensuring high performance. Its technology converts recycled materials, including crude tall oil from pine wood, into high-value compounds with high plasticising qualities.

Moreover, this technology delivers low-PAH, non-toxic, and non-carcinogenic alternatives with solvent extraction refining and advanced formulation. Bio Base enables manufacturers of rubber, plastics, and tires to access sustainable raw materials while maintaining quality and cost efficiency, and reducing carbon footprints.

2. Biomr – Plastic-Free High Performance Coatings

  • Founding Year: 2023
  • Location: London, United Kingdom

UK-based startup Biomr produces plastic-free high-performance coatings made from renewable organic sources for the fashion industry. It creates textile finishes that fully eliminate chemicals (PFAS) while maintaining durability and effectiveness.

Moreover, these coatings are free from synthetic plastics and environmentally harmful polyurethanes. Its technology utilises biopolymers and inorganic minerals derived from upcycled agricultural waste.

Further, the startup makes omniphobic coatings that repel water and adapt to repel oil-based liquids, utilising nanotechnology inspired by the lotus effect. These finishes integrate with existing manufacturing processes to make them plug-and-play for producers working with cellulose and protein-based fibres.

3. Terradote – Renewable Bio-Derived Materials Production

  • Founding Year: 2023
  • Location: Houston, Texas, USA
  • Funding: Debuts with USD 58.2 million in funding

US-based startup Terradote develops renewable bio-derived materials by replacing petroleum-based chemicals with sustainable alternatives. These are made from captured CO2, methane, and biomass waste feedstocks.

Moreover, the startup provides customized solutions like renewable acrylonitrile (ACN), carbon fiber, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Further, its technology integrates advanced catalyst systems with enzymatic reactions to create a circular economy.

 

 

Terradote’s process connects greenhouse gases directly to industrial and household products. It embeds carbon and methane to create negative carbon environments that mitigate climate change. Terradote benefits industries across automotive, aerospace, appliances, and consumer goods, which gain sustainable raw materials without compromising performance.

4. Near Material – Vegan Sustainable Materials

  • Founding Year: 2023
  • Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

UAE-based startup Near Material produces vegan, sustainable materials through chemical manufacturing processes. The startup converts pruning remains from date palm trees into high-performance bio-based compounds using advanced eco-friendly techniques.

Moreover, it sources raw inputs locally to minimize transportation emissions and integrates scalable production methods that align with industrial demands. Further, its technology reduces carbon footprint and repurposes biomass that would contribute to landfill waste, providing an alternative to petroleum-based synthetics.

Near Material allows manufacturers in fashion, packaging, and consumer goods to reduce environmental impact with low-carbon compounds, while maintaining industrial performance standards.

5. Skyhem – Bio-Based Process Oil Manufacturing

  • Founding Year: 2023
  • Location: Istanbul, Turkey

Turkish startup Skyhem uses renewable raw materials such as tall oil and its derivatives to manufacture bio-based process oils for the rubber, tire, and polymer industries. It formulates ECOSKY-3103 to function as a plasticizer in rubber compounds and tires to reduce environmental impact while maintaining processing efficiency.

The product features a low glass transition temperature that enhances wet and ice grip in winter conditions, high polarity, and a fully bio-based composition that lowers CO₂ emissions during production and use.

Skyhem enables manufacturers in the tire and rubber sectors to gain a sustainable, high-performance alternative that reduces carbon footprint and improves product functionality across seasonal and technical applications.

6. Shreenika – Microbes and Biocatalysts for Sustainable Chemicals Production

  • Founding Year: 2023
  • Location: San Diego, United States
  • Prominent Partnerships: Samnan Chemicals

US-based startup Shreenika develops engineered microbes and biocatalysts for sustainable chemical production. It uses direct fermentation to convert renewable feedstocks like sugars into high-purity compounds through scalable microbial processes.

Moreover, it applies biocatalysis to achieve chemical transformations with higher yields than conventional methods. The startup designs each production pathway based on performance, cost, and sustainability targets, allowing for flexible and efficient process selection. Shreenika enables manufacturers and brands seeking to reduce emissions and transition away from synthetic inputs.

7. Cellarim Labs – Cell-Free Hyaluronic Acid

  • Founding Year: 2024
  • Location: Bangalore, India

Indian startup Cellarim Labs develops cell-free hyaluronic acid using enzyme-driven synthesis that eliminates the need for microbial fermentation or harsh chemical extraction. It applies precision biocatalysis to construct a hyaluronic acid platform that creates consistent molecular weights and high purity without relying on living cells or animal-derived inputs.

This process significantly reduces emissions and conserves land and water compared to conventional methods, while producing endotoxin-free, vegan ingredients. Cellarim Labs enables eco-conscious manufacturing of clean beauty actives that provide stronger sustainability claims across skincare and hygiene applications.

8. MacroCarbon – Sustainable Biofuels From Macroalgae

Spanish startup MacroCarbon produces sustainable biofuels and chemical inputs from macroalgae through large-scale cultivation and processing of pelagic seaweed species. The startup grows native brown and green seaweeds using floating techniques that minimize infrastructure and adapt to diverse ocean conditions.

Then it converts the biomass into carbon-negative replacements for aviation fuels, plastic precursors, and industrial chemicals.

 

 

Moreover, this solution lowers operational complexity and enhances marine biodiversity while complementing existing fisheries and infrastructure. MacroCarbon provides a viable pathway to decarbonize chemical manufacturing and reduce global dependence on fossil carbon.

9. Entalpic – AI-driven Materials Discovery

  • Founding Year: 2024
  • Location: Paris, France
  • Funding: Raises EUR 8.5 million to pioneer AI solutions for decarbonizing industrial chemistry
  • Startup Stage: Seed

French startup Entalpic develops an AI-driven platform for materials and chemistry discovery that accelerates eco-friendly chemical manufacturing. The platform integrates predictive models, generative algorithms, and quantum simulations within an active learning framework to identify novel compounds and optimize reaction pathways. The system processes multimodal datasets and interfaces directly with laboratory environments to create continuous feedback loops.

Moreover, it leverages generative AI to explore high-potential chemical spaces, while its agentic LLM analyzes intellectual property landscapes to guide research toward patentable innovations. Entalpic enables industries to reduce environmental impact and enhance process efficiency through data-driven discovery and collaborative IP development.

10. Electroflow Technologies – Sustainable Lithium Chemical Production

  • Founding Year: 2023
  • Location: San Bruno, United States

US-based startup Electroflow Technologies develops a sustainable lithium extraction technology that processes low-concentration brines using renewable electricity and minimal chemical input. It applies a direct lithium extraction method that bypasses conventional multistep systems, instead isolating lithium ions from brine solutions with electrochemical precision.

This approach reduces water usage and eliminates reliance on hazardous reagents, while minimizing environmental impact and logistical inefficiencies. Electroflow Technologies advances eco-friendly chemical manufacturing by enabling scalable lithium production that facilitates the clean energy transition.

 

Want to Explore 450+ Sustainable Chemical Startups & Scaleups?

Request Sample Database

 

11. General Biological – Sustainable Bioproduction

  • Founding Year: 2023
  • Location: USA

US-based startup General Biological offers whole-cell catalyst technology-based continuous manufacturing. It enhances molecule production rates compared to traditional methods. The process also replaces petrochemical processes with enzymes to convert renewable carbon sources like sugar into valuable products while capturing CO2.

This method achieves high yields at low costs with zero emissions. In addition, the company scales new molecules to industrial volumes using custom-built bioreactors. This reduces the time and financial outlay for industries like performance materials, electronics, industrial water, and building materials.

12. H2Pro – High-Pressure Hydrogen Production

  • Founding Year: 2019
  • Location: Israel

Israeli startup H2Pro develops a water-splitting technology that produces green hydrogen using its proprietary Electrochemical-Thermally Activated Chemical (E-TAC) process. The system separates hydrogen and oxygen generation into two distinct steps: an electrochemical step for hydrogen and a thermally activated chemical step for oxygen.

This decoupled design prevents gas mixing and removes the need for membranes used in conventional electrolysis. It improves operational safety and lowers equipment costs.

E-TAC achieves 98.7% internal cell efficiency (HHV) and 95% system efficiency. Its membrane-free structure allows hydrogen generation at pressures above 45 bar, which reduces the need for compressors and lowers both capital and operating expenses.

The startup’s modular reactors support scalable and low-maintenance production. They suit industrial hydrogen applications and work well with intermittent renewable energy sources.

13. Anodyne Chemistries – Sustainable Chemicals & Fuels

  • Founding Year: 2021
  • Location: Canada

Canadian startup Anodyne Chemistries combines advanced enzyme engineering with electrochemistry to manufacture sustainable chemicals. It uses a proprietary enzymatic electrolysis process that operates at room temperature to support renewable feedstocks without generating toxic byproducts.

The startup also leverages the immobilized enzyme complex (IEC) process that integrates enzyme immobilization with electron transfer techniques for improved industrial catalysis. This process, in turn, ensures a higher yield than traditional petrochemical methods while enabling better efficiency and environmental safety. Anodyne Chemistries produces low-carbon fuels, chemicals, and pharmaceutical ingredients while reducing overall carbon footprints.

14. Zenfold Sustainable Technologies – Specialty Chemicals

  • Founding Year: 2021
  • Location: India

Indian startup Zenfold Sustainable Technologies manufactures complex chemical molecules for the pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and veterinary medicine industries. The company uses novel catalysis, high-throughput screening, and biocatalysis optimization to enhance the atom economy and environmental impact.

Zenfold Sustainable Technologies’s process enables manufacturers to utilize high-performance ingredients. Lastly, the company employs zero-discharge infrastructure and a significant emphasis on solvent replacement and effluent reduction for sustainable chemical manufacturing.

15. Imperagen – Enzyme Engineering

  • Founding Year: 2021
  • Location: UK

UK-based startup Imperagen develops a platform for ultra-fast enzyme engineering. It combines enzyme simulation, AI, synthetic biology, and automation to optimize enzyme engineering. These enzymes serve as bio-catalysts that synthesize chemicals and materials while reducing waste and energy consumption.

This makes chemical manufacturing a sustainable industry by reducing reliance on hazardous chemicals and scarce metallic catalysts. Imperagen’s customizable platform allows manufacturers to produce various chemicals, from raw materials to medicines.

16. Again – CO2 to Carbon Negative Chemicals

  • Founding Year: 2020
  • Location: Denmark

Danish startup Again utilizes a bioreactor to capture carbon dioxide and convert it into carbon-negative chemicals. This process leverages a bacteria to ferment CO2 at the point of emission. This provides dual benefit – assisting emitters in achieving carbon zero targets and enabling manufacturers to transition to carbon-negative chemicals.

The startups’s solution thus benefits industries emitting CO2 like oil & gas, energy and power generation, agriculture, and chemical manufacturers.

17. Polymer-X – Plastics to Fuels

  • Founding Year: 2023
  • Location: USA

US-based startup Polymer-X is a climate technology company that converts plastic waste into chemicals and fuels like jet fuel, diesel, and hydrogen. It utilizes an electrified heating method to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions during the synthesis process.

The startup also offers an electrified reactor and utilizes machine learning to optimize these processes and optimize production outcomes. This makes the chemical industry sustainable and energy-efficient, benefiting the fuel production sector, chemical manufacturing, and waste management, particularly in plastic recycling and upcycling by providing greener alternatives and cost-effective production methods.

18. DUDE CHEM – Green Chemistry

  • Founding Year: 2019
  • Location: Germany

DUDE CHEM ensures sustainable production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and their intermediates. It uses advanced computational chemistry and digitization to reduce hazardous substances in manufacturing. The startup also offers services like green route of synthesis (RoS) development and cGMP manufacturing to ensure resource efficiency and cost savings in API production.

Moreover, the process recovers and reuses expensive catalysts while optimizing chemical processes to reduce CO2 emissions. Pharmaceutical companies and generic drug manufacturers use this process for greener, cost-effective, and high-control manufacturing solutions.

19. Oxylum – Sustainable Chemical Production

  • Founding Year: 2021
  • Location: Belgium

Belgian startup Oxylum develops a CO₂ conversion technology to produce sustainable chemicals. It utilizes novel electrochemicals and renewable energy to transform CO₂ and water into valuable products such as formic acid and ethylene.

The startup’s technology features catalysts and reactors that create the building blocks for plastics and fuels without consuming fossil feedstocks. Moreover, Oxylum uses cradle-to-cradle processes to achieve carbon neutrality.

20. Cascade Biocatalysts – Eco-friendly Chemical Biomanufacturing

  • Founding Year: 2022
  • Location: USA

US-based startup Cascade Biocatalysts leverages enzymes for sustainable chemical production. It organizes enzymes into modular assembly lines to simplify and scale up cascades of enzymatic reactions. The startup also analyzes and optimizes millions of enzyme structures to enhance their compatibility with resins.

This significantly increases their stability and longevity, producing long-lasting biocatalysts that reduce the need for frequent enzyme replacement. Consequently, the company’s process lowers the cost of biomolecules. The company, in this way, addresses the chemical industry’s reliance on nonrenewable petroleum feedstocks and energy-intensive processes.

Discover All Emerging Sustainable Chemical Startups

The 20 sustainable chemical startups showcased in this report are only a small sample of all startups we identified through our data-driven startup scouting approach. Download our free Industry Innovation Reports for a broad overview of the industry or get in touch for quick & exhaustive research on the latest technologies & emerging solutions that will impact your company in 2026!