ecovia I bio
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersAnn Arbor, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What ecovia I bio does
Ecovia Bio is a biotechnology company that develops and manufactures 100% biobased and biodegradable gamma polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) biopolymers via proprietary fermentation technology. Founded in 2014 as a spinout from the University of Michigan, the company operates a feedstock-flexible microbial fermentation platform (mixing soil-isolated bacteria with modified E. coli) that the company claims produces γ-PGA at roughly 50% lower cost than traditional methods. In September 2025, Ecovia commissioned a 20,000 sq ft commercial production facility in Livonia, Michigan — becoming the first and only US manufacturer of polyglutamic acid and its derivatives — with management guiding full operational capacity by 2028.
The company sells two primary product families: AzuraBase (linear γ-PGA, ~500 kDa molecular weight, used as a humectant/moisture-retention polymer in cosmetics, agriculture, food, pharmaceuticals, and water treatment) and AzuraGel (crosslinked γ-PGA superabsorbent polymers absorbing up to 300x their weight in water, used in hygiene products, biomedical applications, packaging gels, and rheology modification). Both product lines are USDA Certified 100% Biobased and AzuraGel has demonstrated 92.7% biodegradation in 28 days under OECD 301B testing. The company also offers an industrial rheology modifiers product line launched in May 2023.
Ecovia generates revenue through three streams: (1) direct B2B sales of γ-PGA biopolymer products to enterprise manufacturers in cosmetics, personal care, agriculture, hygiene, food, packaging, and water treatment; (2) technology licensing of its fermentation platform (including an exclusive worldwide license from the University of Michigan); and (3) joint development agreements with channel partners, most notably Seppic Inc. (an Air Liquide subsidiary), which holds exclusive marketing rights for topical health and beauty applications under a multi-year JDA signed in 2018. The company is privately held, headquartered in Livonia, MI, operates with approximately 8 employees, and is led by CEO Kousay Said (former Dow executive), CTO/Founder Dr. Jeremy Minty (original platform developer), and CFO Ryan Chittaro.
ecovia I bio firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ecovia I bio
- Legal name
- Ecovia Renewables Inc.
- Website
- https://ecovia-bio.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ecovia I bio industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Biobased Biopolymers
- NAICS
- Resin, Synthetic Rubber, and Artificial and Synthetic Fibers and Filaments Manufacturing (3252), Surface Active Agent Manufacturing (325613)
- SIC
- Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Bio-Based & Biodegradable Compounds (PLA/PHA/Starch Blends) (IMANABAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Biodegradable Additives & Masterbatches (pro-oxidant-free, bio-based modifiers) (IMAEAOAD), Bio-based Surfactants, Detergent Ingredients & Oleochemicals (EUAAAIAE)
Keywords
Where ecovia I bio is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ann Arbor
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
ecovia I bio business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Biopolymer Product Sales: Direct sales of γ-PGA biopolymer products (AzuraBase and AzuraGel product families) to manufacturers in cosmetics, personal care, agriculture, hygiene, and other industries. Products sold as off-white granules, typically in B2B bulk quantities to formulators and product manufacturers.
- Technology Licensing: Licensing of fermentation technology platform to partners. Ecovia obtained worldwide exclusive rights to University of Michigan technology with undisclosed running royalties and equity consideration.
- Joint Development Agreements: Co-development partnerships where partners like Seppic provide funding and gain exclusive marketing rights to co-developed products for specific applications.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | B2B enterprise pricing - quote-based |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
ecovia I bio product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ecovia Bio manufactures biobased, biodegradable gamma polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) biopolymers through proprietary mixed-microbial fermentation technology. The company sells two product families — AzuraBase (linear γ-PGA for moisture retention in cosmetics, agriculture, food, and water treatment) and AzuraGel (crosslinked γ-PGA superabsorbent polymers for hygiene, packaging, and rheology applications) — to B2B enterprise customers in personal care, hygiene, agriculture, food, packaging, and water treatment industries.
Product overview
Ecovia Bio is a biotechnology company offering biopolymer products based on gamma polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) derived from fermentation processes. The product portfolio consists of two main families: AzuraBase (linear γ-PGA for moisture retention in cosmetics, agriculture, food, and pharmaceuticals) and AzuraGel (crosslinked γ-PGA for superabsorbent and rheology modification applications). The company also offers industrial rheology modifiers as a separate product line. All products are 100% biobased, biodegradable alternatives to synthetic polyacrylates and polyacrylamides.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- AzuraBase: Linear form of PGA offered by Ecovia, providing top-of-the-line moisture capture and retention. 100% biobased, 100% biodegradable and water-soluble. Used in skin care formulations, agriculture as soil conditioner, food as texturizers/thickeners/stabilizers, pharmaceuticals/biomedical applications, and water treatment additives.
- AzuraGel
Products and services
- AzuraBase™ Linear form of gamma polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) biopolymer providing top-of-line moisture capture and retention. 100% biobased, biodegradable, and water-soluble. Used as a humectant, rheology modifier, and moisturizing polymer in cosmetics and personal care; as a soil conditioner in agriculture; as a texturizer, thickener, and stabilizer in food; and as a water treatment additive.
- AzuraGel™ Crosslinked gamma polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) polymers offering moisture control and absorption properties while retaining biodegradability. Used in superabsorbent applications (diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence pads), rheology modification in personal care, biomedical applications, food texturizers, and moisture-control packaging gels. Absorbs up to 300x its weight in water. USDA Certified 100% Biobased.
- Industrial Rheology Modifiers Plant-based rheology modifiers for thickening and viscosity modification in personal care products such as cosmetics, face and body washes. 100% biobased, non-toxic, sustainable alternative to synthetic chemical additives.
Quantifiable outcome
- 92.7% biodegradation in 28 days per OECD 301B test vs 4.5% for polyacrylic acid SAP
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use ecovia I bio
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
ecovia I bio technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
ecovia I bio partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Greentown Labs and EvonikcoreSelected as one of two startup manufacturers for Greentown Go Make 2025 decarbonization project. Ecovia collaborating with Evonik to decarbonize personal care industry. Selected from pool of 52 applicants from 21 countries. Project aims to address 0.5-1.5% of global GHG emissions from personal care products.
- Kousay SaidcoreCEO who signed SEC Form D filing. Has over 30 years executive experience at Dow, specialty chemical companies, and PE/VC-based firms. MBA from Oakland University, completed Advanced Management Program at Wharton.
- University of MichigancoreLicensed fermentation technology developed in Dr. Xiaoxia 'Nina' Lin's lab. Spinout from university in 2014. University of Michigan Innovation Partnerships invested via Accelerate Blue Fund and MINTS program ($500k co-investment). Office of Technology Transfer supported throughout licensing process.
- Seppic Inc.flagshipMulti-year joint development agreement for co-development of high-performing, biobased and biodegradable polymers for topical applications in health and beauty markets. Seppic has exclusive marketing rights to products made using Ecovia's technology. Seppic also invested in Ecovia's $1.6M seed round and Caroline Drouart joined board as director. Marc Gillin replaced Drouart as board director.
- BioMADEminorTrade organization partner listed on Ecovia partnerships page. BioMADE is a Manufacturing Innovation Institute focused on bioindustrial manufacturing.
- Mich BiominorMichigan biosciences industry trade organization partner. Ecovia featured in BioMatters magazine publication covering Michigan's biosciences industry.
- James AgleyminorListed as executive officer, director, and promoter in SEC Form D filing.
- Jeremy MintycoreListed as executive officer, director, and promoter in SEC Form D filing. Founder & CTO. PhD from University of Michigan, original developer of fermentation platform technology.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ecovia I bio competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Evonik: German specialty chemicals major with established personal care ingredients business and an active corporate venture arm that has already partnered with Ecovia through the Greentown Go Make 2025 decarbonization initiative. Represents both a partner and a potential competitor with scale advantages in personal care formulation.
- Croda International: UK-listed specialty ingredients company supplying biobased personal care, cosmetics, and crop care formulations globally. Overlaps with Ecovia's personal care and agriculture customer segments as an established incumbent with strong formulation relationships.
- BASF: World's largest chemical company and a leading producer of superabsorbent polymers (HySorb) for diapers, feminine hygiene, and incontinence, plus extensive personal care ingredients portfolio (Cetiol, Plantacare). Ecovia's primary incumbent competitor in both SAP and personal care ingredient markets.
- Nippon Shokubai: Japanese specialty chemical manufacturer and global leader in superabsorbent polymers for hygiene products. One of Ecovia's principal incumbent competitors in the SAP market that the company's AzuraGel products are explicitly designed to disrupt.
- Corbion: Global market leader in lactic acid fermentation and a major producer of biobased food ingredients, preservation systems, and personal care specialty chemicals. Comparable as a fermentation-based specialty biochemicals platform with overlapping customer base in food, personal care, and sustainable materials.
Emerging players
- Bloom Biorenewables: Swiss startup developing biobased polymer building blocks from biomass feedstocks as alternatives to petrochemical-derived polymers. Comparable as an early-stage fermentation/biopolymer company targeting personal care, packaging, and industrial applications.
Direct peers
- TotalEnergies Corbion: Joint venture between TotalEnergies and Corbion producing Luminy PLA bioplastics from renewable feedstock. Comparable as a producer of biobased, biodegradable polymer resins targeting packaging, hygiene, and consumer goods customers seeking petroleum-polymer alternatives.
- NatureWorks: World's largest producer of bio-based PLA polymers, supplying biodegradable resin to packaging, personal care, and hygiene markets under a similar B2B ingredient model to Ecovia. Directly comparable as a fermentation-derived biopolymer manufacturer targeting petroleum-polymer substitution.
- Danimer Scientific: Developer of PHA-based biopolymers (Nodax) used as biodegradable alternatives to petrochemical plastics in single-use packaging, foodservice, and personal care applications. Closest US-listed peer competing in the same biobased polymer substitution space as Ecovia.
Others
- Seppic (Air Liquide Healthcare Specialty Ingredients): Subsidiary of Air Liquide and Ecovia's exclusive marketing partner for topical health and beauty applications. Included as an ecosystem participant: it is both a strategic investor and distribution channel, making it the most commercially intertwined company in Ecovia's network.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ecovia I bio social profiles
Digital presenceecovia I bio compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
ecovia I bio financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ecovia I bio leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
ecovia I bio funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds7 records
Investors9 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ecovia I bio 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 ecovia I bio
What does ecovia I bio do?
Ecovia Bio manufactures biobased, biodegradable gamma polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) biopolymers through proprietary mixed-microbial fermentation technology. The company sells two product families — AzuraBase (linear γ-PGA for moisture retention in cosmetics, agriculture, food, and water treatment) and AzuraGel (crosslinked γ-PGA superabsorbent polymers for hygiene, packaging, and rheology applications) — to B2B enterprise customers in personal care, hygiene, agriculture, food, packaging, and water treatment industries.
Is ecovia I bio a public or private company?
ecovia I bio is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was ecovia I bio founded?
ecovia I bio was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is ecovia I bio based?
ecovia I bio is headquartered in Ann Arbor, United States, in the North America region.
How does ecovia I bio make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Biopolymer Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are technology Licensing and joint Development Agreements.
Who are ecovia I bio's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Evonik, Croda International, BASF, Nippon Shokubai and Corbion. Bloom Biorenewables is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are TotalEnergies Corbion, NatureWorks and Danimer Scientific. Seppic (Air Liquide Healthcare Specialty Ingredients) is listed as an others.
Does ecovia I bio have an API?
No public API is recorded for ecovia I bio.
What industry is ecovia I bio in?
ecovia I bio's product category is Biobased Biopolymers. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMANABAF, Bio-Based & Biodegradable Compounds (PLA/PHA/Starch Blends), with a secondary code of IMAEAOAD, Biodegradable Additives & Masterbatches (pro-oxidant-free, bio-based modifiers). Its NAICS code is 3252 and its SIC code is 2860.