ZymoChem, an American biomanufacturer, has successfully secured a US $ 21 million Series A funding round led by Breakout Ventures, with notable participation from Lululemon Athletica Inc., and Toyota Ventures. The funding also saw contributions from existing investors GS Futures, KdT Ventures, and Cavallo Ventures. Combined with revenues from commercial partnerships and support from the US Department of Energy, this financial backing positions ZymoChem to launch its first high-performance material and upscale its initial collaborative product for commercial viability. The primary objective is to tackle the climate crisis by introducing bio-based textiles and hygiene products.
ZymoChem is making significant contributions in the textile domain, shifting from traditional polyesters to performance apparel through its bio-based sourcing technique. The platform utilises renewable feedstocks, employing a proprietary fermentation process to convert them into high-performance, bio-based, and biodegradable polymers with nearly zero CO2 emissions. Throughout the process the company follows a carbon-efficient approach.
Breakout Ventures’ managing partner, Lindy Fishburne, emphasised their investment in ZymoChem, citing the company’s technology that enables scaling of bio-based chemicals and materials while remaining cost-competitive with petroleum-derived alternatives.
Harshal Chokhawala, ZymoChem’s co-founder and CEO, asserted, that their technology achieves sustainability without compromising performance, scalability, and above all, economics. “This has fostered numerous partnerships with global industry leaders, and we are excited to broaden our impact with key stakeholders,” he added.
ZymoChem’s approach aligns seamlessly with Lululemon’s commitment to enhancing sustainability within its product range, serving as a driving force behind its investment. In March 2023, ZymoChem also earned recognition from Fashion for Good, participating in a nine-month innovation program with tailored support to validate their technologies for integration across the fashion value chain.
