What Bluepha does

Bluepha is a Shanghai-based synthetic biology company founded in 2016 that designs, develops, and manufactures bio-based materials and agricultural biologicals using engineered microbial strains and precision fermentation. Its flagship product is Bluepha™ PHA, a fully biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer that degrades across marine, soil, freshwater, home composting, and industrial composting environments, with applications spanning packaging, foodservice ware, electronics packaging, cosmetics, textiles, and furniture. Supporting technology includes the proprietary Synbio OS™ platform (high-throughput DBTL automation, AI/ML-driven strain design, and digital bioreactor integration that the company reports increases strain development throughput by 30x), the Biohybrid™ process that uses microbial metabolism to fix CO2 as a carbon feedstock, and the BioFAB1 super factory in Yancheng, Jiangsu (5,000 tons/year Phase 1, with 25,000 tons/year Phase 2 planned). The company also sells agricultural inputs — agricultural-grade PHA, γ-PGA, astaxanthin, and formulated fertilizers/microbial inoculants — built on the same synthetic biology platform.

Bluepha operates a B2B enterprise sales model, selling directly to brand owners and industrial converters through direct sales, strategic partnerships, and co-development arrangements. Named enterprise customers include McDonald's (used cooking oil to PHA for packaging), L'Oréal China (biosynthetic green beauty ingredients), OPPO (phone packaging), TotalEnergies Corbion (combined PHA+PLA solutions for international distribution), and Kangshi Fu (waste cooking oil to PHA). Revenue streams include bulk PHA material sales, agricultural biologicals, technology licensing/co-development fees, and regulatory/certification documentation services. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is negotiated enterprise-by-enterprise. The company has raised approximately CNY 1.3 billion (~USD 235M Series B in January 2022 led by Zhongping Capital, Hillhouse, GSR Ventures, Genesis Capital, Frees Fund, and state-linked funds), achieved unicorn status by 2023, and holds over 100 invention patents with 50%+ of staff in R&D. Bluepha is the first Chinese company and one of the few globally to hold TÜV-OK full-series biodegradability certification and the world's first to hold food-contact certification for PHA (PHBH) simultaneously in China, the EU, and the US.

Name

Bluepha

Legal name

上海蓝晶微生物科技有限公司

Website

https://bluepha.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Bluepha is a Shanghai-based synthetic biology company that develops and manufactures fully biodegradable PHA bioplastics and agricultural biologicals via proprietary microbial fermentation, selling B2B to enterprise customers in packaging, foodservice, cosmetics, electronics, and agriculture across China and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biodegradable Bioplastics & Bio-based Materials

NAICS

Petrochemical Manufacturing (325110), Fertilizer and Compost Manufacturing (32531)

SIC

Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Chemicals & Allied Products (2800), Plastics Products, Nec (3089)

akta.pro primary industry

Bio-based & Biodegradable Polymer Resin Manufacturing (PLA, PHA, PBS, PBAT) (IMANANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Compostable & Bio-Based Packaging (PLA/PHA, Starch Blends, Cellulose Films) (IMALAMAB), Compostable & Bio-based Rigid Packaging (injection/blow/thermoform) (IMANANAD), Biodegradable Packaging Materials (films, trays, foams) (IMAEAOAB), Bio-Based & Biodegradable Compounds (PLA/PHA/Starch Blends) (IMANABAF), Bio-based Polymers & Bioplastics (e.g., PLA, PHA, bio-PE/PP/PET, PBS) (EUAAAIAC)

Keywords

• Biodegradable bioplastics
• Synthetic biology platform
• PHA manufacturing
• Bio-based materials
• Agricultural biologicals

Headquarters

HQ city

Beijing

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. PHA Material Sales: Bluepha generates revenue primarily through the sale of its flagship product line — Bluepha™ PHA materials — sold as pellets, compounds, and specialty grades for injection molding, extrusion, film blowing, fiber, and other processing applications. Revenue is derived from direct B2B sales to enterprise customers in packaging, foodservice, electronics, and agriculture sectors.
2. Agricultural Biologicals: Sale of agricultural inputs including 多生菌脂 PHA (soilbiotics), γ-PGA, and astaxanthin products for fertilizer efficiency, crop yield enhancement, and stress resistance, sold to fertilizer companies and agricultural distributors.
3. Licensed Technology & Co-development: Bluepha engages in co-development partnerships with enterprise customers (e.g., L'Oréal, TotalEnergies Corbion) for application-specific PHA formulations and processes, generating revenue through development fees and technology licensing arrangements.
4. Regulatory & Compliance Services: Revenue from providing food-contact certification documentation, safety data sheets, technical data sheets, and third-party biodegradability certifications to downstream customers seeking regulatory approval for PHA-based products.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bluepha develops and manufactures fully biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) bioplastics via proprietary microbial fermentation, sold as pellets, compounds, and specialty grades for injection molding, film extrusion, fiber, and other processing applications. The company also produces agricultural biological inputs (PHA-based soilbiotics, γ-PGA, astaxanthin) and formulated fertilizers and microbial inoculants. Manufacturing is anchored at BioFAB1, a 5,000-ton-per-year super factory in Yancheng, Jiangsu, powered by its Synbio OS™ synthetic biology R&D platform.

Product overview

Bluepha (Shanghai Bluepha Microbiology Technology Co., Ltd.) is a synthetic biology company founded in 2016, headquartered in Shanghai, that develops and manufactures bio-based materials and agricultural biological agents through its integrated R&D and manufacturing platform. The company's core product is Bluepha™ PHA, a fully biodegradable bio-based polymer, complemented by a portfolio of agricultural products (多生菌脂 PHA, γ-聚谷氨酸, 虾青素) and a range of channel/formulated agricultural products (liquid fertilizers, microbial inoculants, compound fertilizers). The technology platform consists of Synbio OS™ for R&D (high-throughput automation, AI, digital bioprocess control) and BioFAB1 super factory for manufacturing. Products serve diverse markets including packaging, foodservice, agriculture, beauty/cosmetics, and consumer goods, with global customers and regulatory certifications across China, EU, and US.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 蓝晶™ PHA: Core biodegradable bioplastic product line - fully bio-based polymer that degrades in all natural and artificial environments.
• 多生元™
• 天工开物
• BioFab
• Synbio OS™
• Biohybrid™

Products and services

• Bluepha™ PHA (蓝晶™ PHA) A globally degradable natural bio-based polymer (polyhydroxyalkanoate) produced via fermentation of proprietary microbial strains. Fully biodegradable across marine, soil, freshwater, home composting, and industrial composting environments. Available in injection molding, thermoforming, film extrusion, fiber, and straw compound grades for packaging, foodservice, consumer goods, agriculture, and food-contact applications.
• Duosheng Junzhi PHA (多生菌脂 PHA) — Agricultural Grade A 100% microbial-derived agricultural input and soil health improver. Acts as a selective carbon source for beneficial rhizosphere microorganisms, activating soil microbial communities, improving nutrient use efficiency, promoting root growth, and enhancing crop quality and yield. Used as a fertilizer synergist and microbial carrier by fertilizer companies and agricultural distributors.
• γ-Polyglutamic Acid (γ-PGA) A high-molecular-weight polypeptide polymer produced via microbial fermentation, featuring numerous free carboxyl groups enabling cross-linking and derivatization. Applied in agriculture for water retention, fertilizer slow release, and soil remediation.
• Astaxanthin (虾青素) A terpenoid unsaturated carotenoid produced via synthetic biology; a natural antioxidant that scavenges intracellular free radicals. Applied in agriculture for plant coloration, yield improvement, and stress resistance.
• Bluepha™ Liquid Fertilizer (蓝晶™ 液体冲施肥) Liquid fertilizer formulated with PHA and other bio-based inputs to enhance nutrient delivery, improve soil microbial activity, and increase crop nutrient use efficiency for agricultural distributors and growers.
• Bluepha™ Microbial Inoculant (蓝晶™ 微生物菌剂) Microbial inoculant product where PHA provides direct energy for beneficial microorganisms, addressing traditional microbial product issues of viability, survival rate, and shelf life, for agricultural customers.
• Bluepha™ Complete Nutrition Compound Fertilizer (蓝晶™ 全营养复合肥) Complete nutrition compound fertilizer incorporating PHA to supplement active organic matter in soil, activate NPK nutrients, and support beneficial soil microorganisms, sold to fertilizer companies and agricultural distributors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% degradation in marine environments within 16 weeks
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• 欧莱雅中国研发 (L'Oréal China R&D)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Bluepha and L'Oréal China R&D signed a biosynthetic industrialization R&D agreement in 2024, representing L'Oréal Group's key green science initiative in China. The partnership aims to use synthetic biology methods to produce more natural and green beauty ingredients for L'Oréal's responsible, sustainable, safe, and effective cosmetic products. This builds on L'Oréal's open innovation strategy to establish a green science-based global cosmetics ecosystem.
• 康师傅控股 (Kangshi Fu Holdings)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Under the UN Global Compact's 'Joining Hands to Mitigate Ocean Plastic Pollution and Support Low-Carbon Economic Transformation' pilot program, Kangshi Fu and Bluepha partnered in 2024 to produce PHA from waste cooking oil generated during Kangshi Fu's food processing operations. This innovation reduces approximately 45% of carbon footprint compared to fresh oil-based PHA. The partners also collaborated with 设制场 MAKINGPARK™ to create PHA-based editable furniture from waste oil PHA blended with spent tea residue.
• 设制场 MAKINGPARK™ (田其田 TiKiiTi™)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Bluepha partnered with 设制场 MAKINGPARK™ to launch the 田其田 TiKiiTi™ series of PHA-based editable furniture at Bluepha's 天工开物 Innovation Incubator Center in Shanghai. Bluepha provided industrial-grade PHA production technology with customized formulations and molding processes for the production of modular, bio-based, biodegradable furniture products.
• 非常茗 (Feichang Ming Tea) / 甡物科技 (EnZence®)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024A three-way collaboration between 非常茗, 甡物科技, and Bluepha to produce the '八角锦盒' — an artistic tea container made from a blend of tea powder residue and Bluepha PHA via injection molding. The product carries ISO 14001 and EnZence® recyclability certifications, demonstrating circular economy applications of PHA in luxury tea packaging.
• 妙盈科技 (AMI)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Bluepha participated in the 2024 Shanghai International Carbon Expo in the AMI (妙盈科技) exhibition area. AMI is a leading sustainability technology and services provider in Asia. Bluepha's Board Secretary and Sustainability Director shared Bluepha's PHA solutions and sustainability strategy at a roundtable discussion on green transformation and high-quality growth.
• 上汽集团乘用车 (SAIC Motor)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024SAIC Motor participated in a roundtable discussion with Bluepha at the 2024 Shanghai Carbon Expo organized by AMI. SAIC and Bluepha discussed sustainable supply chain development, green procurement practices, and the role of bio-based materials in automotive industry decarbonization.
• 毕博 (BearingPoint)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024BearingPoint (毕博), a global management consulting firm, co-participated in the 2024 Shanghai Carbon Expo roundtable alongside Bluepha and SAIC. BearingPoint's Automotive & Industrial Manufacturing Director contributed insights on ESG trends, CBAM, battery passports, and carbon trading for Chinese manufacturers.
• 道达尔能源科碧恩公司 (TotalEnergies Corbion)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Bluepha and TotalEnergies Corbion signed a strategic partnership agreement in 2023 to jointly develop applications for PLA and PHA bioplastics in the Chinese market. TotalEnergies Corbion brings its Luminy® PLA technology (75,000 tons/year capacity in Thailand) while Bluepha contributes its PHA expertise and 5,000 tons/year production facility (BioFAB1). The partnership combines PHA and PLA materials to offer comprehensive biodegradable solutions to brand owners, leveraging each company's complementary material advantages.
• 上海东庚 (DODGEN)strategicTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023Bluepha and Shanghai DODGEN signed a strategic cooperation agreement in January 2023 to collaborate on technology development in the bio-based materials field. DODGEN contributes its technical expertise in bio-based plastics and high-performance chemical production through full-industry-chain new technologies and processes. The partnership aims to optimize bio-based material production technology by combining DODGEN's manufacturing expertise with Bluepha's full-chain R&D and production capabilities in bio-based polymers.
• 联合国工业发展组织 (UNIDO) / 上海全球科技创新中心minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Bluepha co-organized the 2023 'Visit to the United Nations' series of activities with UNIDO Global Innovation Network Project Shanghai Global Science and Technology Innovation Center and other partners. The initiative trained 144 students from 31 universities across China in sustainable development goals, science and technology innovation, and green development. Bluepha promoted PHA as a sustainable new material to youth participants.
• 清华大学工程管理硕士教育中心 (Tsinghua MEM Center)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Bluepha donated to Tsinghua University's MEM Center in April 2022 to support engineering management education development. The donation funds case courses and special project practices. The partnership helps Bluepha integrate engineering management awareness into its industrialization practice while providing Tsinghua students with real-world synthetic biology case studies and industry engagement opportunities.
• 普华永道 (PwC China)strategicImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2022Bluepha partnered with PwC China in 2022 to jointly publish the 'PHA Biodegradable Plastics Industry White Paper.' The report combined Bluepha's产业化实践 with PwC's macro market analysis to provide strategic direction for next-generation biomaterials development under the carbon neutrality context. This collaboration also included ESG consulting support for Bluepha's sustainability reporting.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• NatureWorks (Cargill): World's largest PLA bioplastics producer, owned by Cargill. Indirectly comparable to Bluepha as a leading bio-based polymer manufacturer targeting packaging and foodservice with established global brand-owner relationships; complementary rather than direct because NatureWorks focuses on PLA rather than PHA.
• TotalEnergies Corbion: Global PLA bioplastics producer (Luminy PLA brand) and Bluepha's stated strategic partner. Comparable as a major bio-based polymer supplier with food-contact certifications and global distribution, but operates at significantly larger scale and across broader geographies.
• Ginkgo Bioworks: US-listed synthetic biology platform company providing cell engineering and fermentation services across multiple end markets. Comparable to Bluepha's Synbio OS strategy as a platform-level synbio business, though Ginkgo operates at broader scope and serves more diverse industries.

Emerging players

• Yield10 Bioscience: US-based synthetic biology company developing novel metabolic pathways for PHA production in engineered crops. Comparable to Bluepha as a PHA-focused synbio innovator, though using a plant-based rather than microbial fermentation production route.
• Bota Bio: Chinese synthetic biology company developing bio-based ingredients for personal care, food, and industrial applications. Comparable as a Chinese synbio peer with overlapping focus on bio-based cosmetics, materials, and agricultural biologicals, competing for similar partnerships and talent.
• Cathay Biotech: Leading Chinese synthetic biology company producing bio-based polyamides (PA56, PA5X) and PHA via long-chain diacid fermentation. Comparable as a Chinese synbio scale-up with adjacent bio-based polymer portfolio, competing for capital and talent in the same domestic synthetic biology ecosystem.

Direct peers

• RWDC Industries: Singapore/US-based PHA producer (Solon brand) focused on single-use packaging and foodservice applications. Direct competitor in the PHA resin market targeting the same sustainability-mandated end uses and brand-owner customers as Bluepha.
• Kaneka: Japanese chemical company producing PHBH (a PHA copolymer) under the Aonilex brand, directly competing with Bluepha's PHA (PHBH) food-contact grade. Holds similar regulatory certifications and serves overlapping packaging and foodservice end markets globally.
• TianAn Biopolymer (Sinopec-affiliated): China-based PHA producer and a direct domestic competitor to Bluepha in bio-based polymer manufacturing. Targets similar packaging, agricultural, and consumer goods applications with comparable fermentation-based PHA technology.
• Danimer Scientific: US-based producer of Nodax PHA bioplastics for packaging, foodservice, and agricultural applications. Closest direct peer to Bluepha in PHA resin manufacturing, competing for the same global brand-owner customers with comparable food-contact and biodegradability certifications.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC4I-TRQbiWfEdDvldAXg5ew
• Facebookfacebook.com/strikingly
• Xx.com/bluepha
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bluepha

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds7 records

Investors23 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bluepha