Pyran Inc.

What Pyran Inc. does

Pyran Inc. is a Madison, Wisconsin-based renewable chemicals company founded in 2018 as a spinout from UW-Madison research. The company has developed a proprietary thermocatalytic production platform that converts renewable agricultural feedstocks — corn cobs, wood, and sugarcane bagasse — into 1,5-pentanediol (1,5 PDO), a 5-carbon diol. Pyran's process is described as the only cost-effective, clean technology capable of intentionally producing 5-carbon products on-purpose, addressing a market where 5-carbon molecules are otherwise difficult and expensive to extract from petroleum. The company's flagship product, 100% biobased 1,5 PDO, is USDA BioPreferred certified and registered under both TSCA and REACh, with an independent LCA confirming up to 99% reduction in GHG emissions versus petroleum-derived 1,6-hexanediol.

Pyran serves enterprise customers in the CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, Elastomers), UV-cure, polymer, and biodegradable plastics industries, with documented use cases spanning polyester polyols, polycarbonate polyols, polyurethanes, UV-cure acrylates, and the biodegradable polymer PPAT. The company sells directly to pre-approved enterprise customers at quote-based pricing historically near $3,000 per metric ton — a 40% discount to petroleum-derived 1,5-PDO — and currently produces through a toll manufacturing partnership with RPD Technologies in Crosby, Texas, while preparing for a world-scale commercial plant targeted for 2027. Through an exclusive partnership with NAGASE Specialty Materials, Pyran extends its reach into renewable 1,5-pentanediol diacrylate (PDDA) derivatives for UV-cure applications in North America and Europe.

The business has raised approximately $12.5 million to date across equity rounds (Series A led by Arosa Capital and WARF Ventures; Series B led by Kowa) and grants from NSF and DOE. Pyran is governed by an experienced leadership team including CEO Dr. Mel Luetkens (former INEOS, 35+ years chemicals industry), CTO and co-founder Dr. Kevin Barnett, and board members including former Dow Chemical CTO Bill Banholzer and Kowa specialty chemicals COO Thierry Casiez. The company is privately held, pre-commercial, and is currently transitioning from toll-manufactured qualification volumes to world-scale commercial production.

Name

Pyran Inc.

Legal name

Pyran, Inc.

Website

https://pyranco.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pyran Inc. is a renewable chemicals company that uses proprietary thermocatalytic technology to convert agricultural feedstocks into bio-based 1,5-pentanediol, serving enterprise customers in the coatings, adhesives, polyurethanes, UV-cure, and biodegradable polymer industries as the only cost-effective on-purpose producer of 5-carbon molecules.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Renewable Specialty Chemicals

NAICS

Resin and Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing (32521), Cyclic Crude, Intermediate, and Gum and Wood Chemical Manufacturing (325194)

SIC

Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Plastic Material, Synth Resin/Rubber, Cellulos (No Glass) (2820)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodegradable Polymers & Resins (PLA, PHA, PBS, PBAT) (IMAEAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bio-based Polymers & Resins (PLA, PHA, bio-PE, bio-PET, cellulose acetate) (IMAMALAC), Biodegradable Additives & Masterbatches (pro-oxidant-free, bio-based modifiers) (IMAEAOAD)

Keywords

• Renewable specialty chemicals
• Bio-based diols
• Pentanediol production
• Green chemistry intermediates
• Bio-based monomers

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 1,5 PDO Product Sales: Pyran sells bio-based 1,5 PDO product directly to enterprise customers who are qualifying the product in their applications. The company produces tons of biobased products and supplies to select, pre-approved customers through scaled toll production until commercial production comes online.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Pyran develops and sells bio-based 1,5-pentanediol (1,5 PDO), a 5-carbon diol produced from renewable agricultural feedstocks via a proprietary thermocatalytic process. The 1,5 PDO serves as a monomer and intermediate for coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers, polyurethanes, polyesters, polycarbonate polyols, UV-cure acrylates, and biodegradable polymers. A derivative product, 1,5-pentanediol diacrylate (PDDA), is produced and marketed in partnership with NAGASE Specialty Materials for UV-cured applications.

Product overview

Pyran Inc. is a renewable chemicals company offering a portfolio of bio-based chemical products led by its core product 1,5 Pentanediol (1,5 PDO), the world's only clean technology capable of intentionally producing 5-carbon molecules. The company converts renewable agricultural feedstocks (corn cobs, wood, sugarcane bagasse) into high-performance 1,5 PDO, which serves as a critical monomer for coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers, polyesters, polycarbonates, and UV-cure acrylates. Through its partnership with NAGASE Specialty Materials, the company also offers derivative products including 1,5-pentanediol diacrylate (PDDA) for UV-cured applications. The technology platform enables downstream polymers like PPAT for biodegradable applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 1,5-Pentanediol (1,5 PDO) 100% biobased 1,5-pentanediol (CAS: 111-29-5, EC: 203-854-4) produced from renewable agricultural feedstocks (corn cobs, wood, sugarcane bagasse) via proprietary thermocatalytic technology. Sold as a monomer and intermediate for CASE applications including polyester polyols, polycarbonate polyols, UV-cure acrylates, polyurethanes, and biodegradable polymers. TSCA and REACH registered.
• 1,5-Pentanediol Diacrylate (PDDA) Renewable diacrylate derived from Pyran's bio-based 1,5-pentanediol through partnership with NAGASE Specialty Materials, who produces PDDA and derivatives in the USA and markets them in North America and Europe for UV-cured formulations including coatings, inks, overprint varnishes, hard coats, and 3D printing applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 99% reduction in GHG emissions compared to petroleum-derived 1,6 hexanediol
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• NAGASE Specialty MaterialscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 January 2022Partnership for exclusive conversion of Pyran's bio-based 1,5 PDO to renewable 1,5-pentanediol diacrylate (PDDA) and other acrylate/methacrylate derivatives. NAGASE produces PDDA and derivatives in the USA and markets them in North America and Europe for UV-cured formulations including coatings and 3D printing applications.
• RPD TechnologiescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 13 July 2021Toll manufacturing partner at facility in Crosby, Texas. Construction began July 2021 to enable toll manufacturing campaign for production of ton quantities of 1,5 PDO to meet qualification requirements and customer demand.
• BOTTLE Laboratory Consortium / DOEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2020Pyran designated as partner in $2.5M DOE funding through the University of Wisconsin, working with Amcor, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Stora Enso, and University of Oklahoma to address plastic waste challenges.
• U.S. Department of Energy / Oak Ridge National LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 July 2020DOE selected Pyran to share approximately $1M in funding to leverage computational capabilities at DOE National Laboratories. Pyran works with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to produce predictive models of its 1,5 PDO process for scale-up efforts.
• University of Wisconsin-MadisoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Pyran was spun out of UW-Madison research. Co-founders Dr. Kevin Barnett and Prof. George Huber developed the technology in Professor Huber's lab with DOE funding. WARF supported the technology through its accelerator program.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• NatureWorks: NatureWorks produces bio-based Ingeo PLA from renewable feedstocks, sold into coatings, packaging, and polymer markets. Highly comparable to Pyran as a bio-based renewable chemical platform serving CASE and polymer customers with sustainability-focused positioning.
• Avantium: Avantium develops FDCA and plant-based MEG/MFG monomers for renewable plastics and polyesters. Directly comparable as a technology-driven renewable chemicals company building a renewable monomer platform to displace petroleum-derived diols in polymers.
• Danimer Scientific: Danimer produces Nodax PHA biopolymers for biodegradable films, coatings, and plastics. Comparable as a bio-based polymer company serving packaging and CASE applications with biodegradable, renewable alternatives to conventional plastics.
• Origin Materials: Origin Materials produces bio-based FDCA, CMF, and furfural-based chemicals for packaging, polymers, and CASE applications. Directly comparable as a renewable chemicals platform converting biomass feedstocks into specialty monomers and intermediates.

Broad incumbents

• Corbion: Corbion is an established producer of bio-based lactic acid and PLA (via TotalEnergies Corbion JV) for polymers, coatings, and adhesives. Broad incumbent serving similar bio-based monomer markets with greater scale and broader product portfolio.
• BASF: BASF is the world's largest chemical producer with bio-based intermediates and 1,6-hexanediol for CASE applications. Broad incumbent representing both a customer overlap (1,6 HDO substitution target) and a potential competitive threat in renewable diols.
• Cargill: Cargill's industrial bio-based platform supplies agricultural feedstocks and produces renewable chemicals for CASE and polymer customers. Comparable as a feedstock supplier, bio-based chemicals producer, and large-scale industrial partner operating in similar end markets.
• ADM: ADM produces bio-based industrial chemicals, including renewable diols and propylene glycol from agricultural feedstocks, supplying CASE and polymer customers. Broad incumbent with comparable bio-based diol products and agricultural feedstock platform.

Emerging players

• Gevo: Gevo produces renewable hydrocarbons and low-carbon fuels from agricultural feedstocks via proprietary fermentation and catalysis. Emerging player in renewable chemicals with comparable feedstock-to-chemistry platform and scale-up dynamics, though currently more fuel-focused.
• LanzaTech: LanzaTech uses gas fermentation to produce renewable ethanol and chemicals from carbon monoxide emissions. Emerging player with comparable biomass/waste-to-chemical technology platform and similar scale-up challenges for renewable chemicals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pyran-inc

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds9 records

Investors7 records

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Pyran Inc.