A safe and sustainable skincare ingredient.

Using plant-based and natural processes, Phycus makes a more earth-friendly glycolic acid

The Opportunity

Glycolic acid is an industrial chemical with a number of uses, including skin care and personal care products where it is used as an active ingredient in anti-aging consumer products. But current methods of production of glycolic acid are troubling. It’s largely manufactured from petroleum-derived formaldehyde, which contributes to greenhouse gases and leaves formaldehyde as a trace contaminant in the end product. With increasing market pull towards natural products and awareness of the dangers of trace contaminants, there is growing interest in new ways of manufacturing industrial chemicals that are healthier for people and the planet. 

The Challenge

Phycus has developed a new fermentation technology to produce compounds like glycolic acid from sustainable plant-based feedstocks that are easier on the planet and healthier for consumers. They had great results in small quantities but needed to validate that the organism and fermentation process was viable in larger scales, with recovery and purification standards (downstream processing), so they could create significant samples for customers to test in their individual applications.  

NPC’s Solution

NPC provided over $186,000 through its Proof of Concept Program to support the key activities needed to de-risk the technology. The results were outstanding! Phycus was able to scale up to 1000L and validate the fermentation process. Through intense fine-tuning, they were able to establish an efficient downstream purification process that met the exacting specifications of their customers. Phycus has additionally raised a seed round of financing, and scale-up to 150,000L fermenters has started, putting the company well on their way to full commercial success.