Pili
Pili is a French biotech company founded in 2015 that produces biobased colorants and aromatic intermediates via hybrid fermentation and green chemistry, serving textile, denim, and chemical industry customers seeking sustainable drop-in replacements for fossil-derived dyes.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersToulouse, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Pili does
Pili is a French biotech company founded in 2015 that develops and produces biobased colorants, pigments, and aromatic intermediates as sustainable alternatives to fossil-derived versions. The company operates a hybrid platform combining industrial fermentation of selected microorganisms with green chemistry synthesis (low-temperature reactions, water as solvent, catalytic methods) to convert agricultural biomass into high-purity (>90%) aromatic molecules. Its core products include Eco-Indigo — a drop-in replacement for petrochemical indigo used in denim dyeing — and biobased anthranilic acid, described as the first industrially scaled 100% biobased aromatic intermediate. Biobased PABA is in development, and a trichromatic set of biopigments (Blue PB15:3, Red PR122, Yellow PY151) targets paints and coatings. All commercial products are REACH-registered and supported by ISO-compliant Life Cycle Analyses.
The company generates revenue through direct sales of biobased colorants in commercial powder form to industrial customers, supplemented by custom co-development partnerships for tailored aromatic molecules. Its go-to-market is enterprise sales-led, targeting major fashion brands, textile manufacturers, and chemical industry players seeking drop-in sustainable replacements. Pricing is quote-based with no public tiers disclosed. The company operates three sites in France: biotech R&D at Toulouse White Biotech, chemistry labs at Le Kremlin-Bicêtre (Paris region, established 2023), and pilot/industrial production at the Roussillon chemical platform in Isère, with commercial reach into France, the United States (Citizens of Humanity Group/AGOLDE), and Turkey (Orta Anadolu). Pili has raised approximately $27.6 million across multiple rounds including a €14.5 million Series A in February 2023 led by Bpifrance, with participation from Elaia Partners, SOSV, Famille C Participations, and Startupangels.de. The company has received multiple recognitions including TIME Best Inventions 2025, Pierre Potier Medal 2025, BIOKET Innovation Award 2026, and ANDAM Special Prize 2026.
Pili firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Pili
- Legal name
- Pili
- Website
- https://pili.bio
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Pili is a French biotech company founded in 2015 that produces biobased colorants and aromatic intermediates via hybrid fermentation and green chemistry, serving textile, denim, and chemical industry customers seeking sustainable drop-in replacements for fossil-derived dyes.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Pili industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Biobased Dyes and Pigments
- NAICS
- Synthetic Dye and Pigment Manufacturing (32513), Chemical Manufacturing (325)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890), Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Natural Colorants (Plant/Algae/Microbial Extracts: Anthocyanins, Carotenoids, Chlorophyll, Spirulina) (AFAJAEAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Pigments & Dyes (IMAEAHAJ), Flavors, Fragrances & Aroma Chemicals (IMAEABAE)
Keywords
Where Pili is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Toulouse
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Pili business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Biobased Colorant and Pigment Sales: Pili generates revenue from selling commercial quantities of biobased dyes and pigments including Eco-Indigo, anthranilic acid, and PABA. Products are available in commercial powder form with direct purchase and quote-based procurement. Production at industrial scale enables recurring product revenue from industrial customers seeking sustainable alternatives.
- Custom Development Partnerships: Pili develops customized aromatic molecules for customers ready to co-develop biobased solutions. This involves collaborative R&D engagements where Pili applies its platform technology to create tailor-made products for committed customers with identified market interests.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Pili product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Pili manufactures and sells industrially-scaled biobased dyes and pigments produced through a hybrid platform combining industrial fermentation and organic chemistry. Its core offerings include Eco-Indigo (a biobased drop-in replacement for petrochemical indigo) and Biobased Anthranilic Acid, sold as commercial powders to industrial customers in the textile, ink, paints, and chemical industries. Pili also offers custom co-development services for tailored biobased aromatic molecules.
Product overview
Pili is a French biotech company offering a portfolio of biobased dyes and aromatic compounds produced through hybrid industrial fermentation and organic chemistry processes. The core product portfolio includes Eco-Indigo (a drop-in replacement for petro-based indigo), Biobased Anthranilic Acid (the first industrially-scaled 100% biobased aromatic molecule), and Biobased PABA (an aromatic intermediate in development). Under development are Biopigments (Blue PB15:3, Red PR122, Yellow PY151) for paints and coatings. Pili also offers custom co-development services for biobased aromatic molecules. All commercial products are REACH-registered and supported by Life Cycle Analyses (LCAs) to demonstrate environmental impact reduction.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Eco-Indigo (Biobased Indigo Dye) A biobased indigo dye produced through industrial fermentation using bacteria, serving as a direct drop-in replacement for petro-based indigo without compromising on performance in shade, vibrancy, and colorfastness. REACH-registered and available in powder form for denim and textile manufacturers.
- Biobased Anthranilic Acid (Acide anthranilique biosourcé) The first industrially scaled 100% biobased aromatic intermediate, with multi-tonne production capacity in Europe. A building-block molecule for dyes, fragrances, flavors, cosmetic and pharmaceutical ingredients. High purity >90%, REACH-registered, non-CMR.
- Biobased Para-aminobenzoic Acid (PABA) A biobased aromatic intermediate in development. PABA is a functionalized aromatic ring that opens pathways to numerous chemical targets including anilines, phenols, and esters, enabling decarbonization of various applications.
- Pili Biopigments (Blue PB15:3, Red PR122, Yellow PY151) High-performance, low-carbon, biobased pigments under development. Positioned as the only biobased High Performance Pigments (HPP) trichromatic solution, targeting paints and coatings applications.
- Custom Development and Co-development Services Pili develops customized aromatic molecules for customers ready to co-develop biobased solutions. The platform technology extends beyond color applications, offering tailor-made products for sustainable chemistry sector needs.
Quantifiable outcome
- Drastic reduction in CO2 emissions compared to petrochemical indigo production
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Pili
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Pili technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Pili partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Citizens of Humanity GroupcoreStrategic partnership to commercialize Eco-Indigo in Citizens of Humanity and AGOLDE denim collections. First biobased indigo jeans launched commercially in early 2025. Partnership includes joint marketing events at Bloomingdale's and Holt Renfrew for Earth Day celebrations.
- Orta AnadolucoreTurkish denim manufacturer collaborating with Pili to produce Eco-Indigo dyed denim. First commercial collections released in early 2025, representing a key commercial partnership for industrial-scale biobased indigo dyeing.
- Fashion For GoodcorePili joined Fashion For Good's 'innovators' program in 2017. This global initiative drives collective action to make fashion more innovative and responsible, connecting Pili with brands and industry stakeholders.
- En Mode ClimatcorePili has been a member since 2022 of this textile industry coalition advocating for climate action and reducing fashion's environmental impact.
- Mouvement Impact FranceminorPili joined this collective in 2020, which promotes businesses placing ecological and social impact at the heart of their economic model.
- Bioeconomy for ChangecorePili has been a member since 2016 of this leading bioeconomy network dedicated to biomass valorization in France, Europe, and internationally.
- Association Chimie du Végétal (ACDV)minorPili has been a member since 2019. ACDV's mission is to support, structure, and accelerate industrial development of plant-based chemistry and biobased products.
- Convention des Entreprises pour le Climat (CEC)minorPili was one of 150 companies participating in the first CEC edition in 2021. This association organizes ecological transformation training and programs for business decision-makers.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Pili competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Pili social profiles
Digital presencePili compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Pili financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Pili leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Pili funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors9 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Pili M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Pili
What does Pili do?
Pili manufactures and sells industrially-scaled biobased dyes and pigments produced through a hybrid platform combining industrial fermentation and organic chemistry. Its core offerings include Eco-Indigo (a biobased drop-in replacement for petrochemical indigo) and Biobased Anthranilic Acid, sold as commercial powders to industrial customers in the textile, ink, paints, and chemical industries. Pili also offers custom co-development services for tailored biobased aromatic molecules.
Is Pili a public or private company?
Pili is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Pili founded?
Pili was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Pili based?
Pili is headquartered in Toulouse, France, in the Europe region.
How does Pili make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Biobased Colorant and Pigment Sales are the primary driver. The others are custom Development Partnerships.
Does Pili have an API?
No public API is recorded for Pili.
What industry is Pili in?
Pili's product category is Biobased Dyes and Pigments. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAJAEAA, Natural Colorants (Plant/Algae/Microbial Extracts: Anthocyanins, Carotenoids, Chlorophyll, Spirulina), with a secondary code of IMAEAHAJ, Pigments & Dyes. Its NAICS code is 32513 and its SIC code is 2890.