NeoCarbons
NeoCarbons is a Swiss industrial biotech company that builds patented, internally illuminated photobioreactors for converting CO2 into microalgae-derived biochemicals, serving pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetics, food, and chemical customers via direct sales and a De Dietrich/France PBR consortium.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What NeoCarbons does
NeoCarbons SA is a Swiss private company headquartered in Clarens, Vaud, that designs and builds patented photobioreactors for industrial microalgae photosynthesis. Its core technology is a stainless-steel, internally illuminated photobioreactor that delivers LED light directly into the culture broth at up to 35 W/L, eliminating contamination at source and enabling continuous, CPU-controlled operation compatible with chemical and thermal sterilization. The platform is reported to achieve >10 g/L/day productivity and 19 g/L biomass density at only 20% of available light energy, with disclosed metrics of 65% downstream processing cost reduction and up to 20x productivity per square metre versus open-pond systems.
The company's revenue mechanics combine hardware sales of R&D bioreactors (5-50L) and production bioreactors (up to 1000L), a retrofit/upgrade service for existing vessels, technology licensing, and strategic co-development partnerships. Distribution is direct-to-enterprise plus an exclusive turnkey consortium with De Dietrich Process Systems and France PBR (MoU February 2026) that targets pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, dermo-cosmetic, food, and fine-chemical customers. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Reported traction consists of 10+ Letters of Intent and 2 MOUs, with no disclosed revenue and only a single non-dilutive grant of approximately $110,457 from the Foundation for Innovation and Technology in 2021, indicating a pre-commercial / pilot-stage company currently raising external capital to fund its 1000L semi-industrial scale-up.
NeoCarbons firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- NeoCarbons
- Legal name
- NeoCarbons SA
- Website
- https://neocarbons.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- NeoCarbons is a Swiss industrial biotech company that builds patented, internally illuminated photobioreactors for converting CO2 into microalgae-derived biochemicals, serving pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetics, food, and chemical customers via direct sales and a De Dietrich/France PBR consortium.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
NeoCarbons industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Biotechnology Equipment
- NAICS
- Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing (32519), Chemical Manufacturing (325)
- SIC
- Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Chemicals & Allied Products (2800)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Biochemicals & Bio-based Platform Chemicals (cellulose sugars, lignin derivatives, organic acids) (IMAMALAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Biofuels & Renewable Fuels Switching (Biomethane/RNG, Bio-oils, Sustainable Biomass) (EUABAJAD), Gas Handling Equipment & Storage (Cylinders/Tanks/Valves) (IMAEACAL)
Keywords
Where NeoCarbons is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
NeoCarbons business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Photobioreactor Equipment Sales: Sale of standard, partially tailored, and R&D photobioreactor equipment ranging from 5L to 1000L capacity. Includes LED strips, power generators, pulse light modules, and tailored reactor lids. Also offers refurbishment of existing production vessels.
- Strategic Co-development Partnerships: Partnership revenue through co-development of turnkey industrial photosynthesis solutions with De Dietrich and France PBR, targeting fine chemicals, dermo-cosmetics, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and bioenergy sectors.
- Licensing of Patented Technology: Technology licensing for industrial photosynthesis equipment incorporating proprietary energy transfer devices into existing bioreactor casings.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | R&D Photo Bioreactors (5-50L) |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Production Photo Bioreactors (up to 1000L) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
NeoCarbons product offering
Product offeringCore offering
NeoCarbons designs, manufactures, and sells patented photobioreactor equipment for industrial microalgae photosynthesis. The product line spans R&D units (5–50L) and industrial production reactors (up to 1000L), supported by customizable LED light systems, pulse light modules, and retrofitting services for existing bioreactor vessels. The technology converts industrial CO2 emissions into high-value biochemicals for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, dermo-cosmetic, food, and chemical industries.
Product overview
NeoCarbons offers a portfolio of photobioreactor equipment and components for industrial microalgae photosynthesis. The core offering includes R&D Photo Bioreactors (5-50L) for laboratory research and Production Photo Bioreactors (up to 1000L) for industrial-scale operations. Supporting products include LED Light Systems with customizable wavelengths, Pulse Light Modules, and Tailored Reactor Lids. The company also provides Photobioreactor Retrofitting and Upgrade services to equip existing vessels with their proprietary energy transfer technology. All products are designed for CO2 valorization and bio-green chemical production targeting pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, dermo-cosmetic, food, and chemical industries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- R&D Photo Bioreactors Standard and partially tailored research-grade photobioreactor equipment ranging from 5 to 50L capacity for laboratory and R&D applications in microalgae cultivation. Includes standard or customized LED strips, power generators, pulse light modules, and tailored reactor lids.
- Production Photo Bioreactors Industrial-scale photobioreactors for production volumes up to 1000L, available as standard vessels with customizable light systems, power, wavelength, and optional pulse light add-on. Includes software to pilot quality and quantity of light at each reactor level, designed for continuous industrial CO2-to-biochemical production.
- Photobioreactor Retrofitting and Upgrade Service Service to refurbish and upgrade existing production vessels with proprietary energy transfer devices, inserting NeoCarbons' patented internal LED illumination technology into current casings to enable the same features and productivity gains as standard NeoCarbons equipment. Size- and volume-agnostic, customized to existing reactor dimensions.
Quantifiable outcome
- Productivity >10 g/L/day at 20% light energy utilization, with 19 g/L biomass density
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use NeoCarbons
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
NeoCarbons technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
NeoCarbons partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- De Dietrich Process SystemsflagshipNeoCarbons and De Dietrich signed MoU to co-develop innovative, integrated industrial solutions serving markets for high-value natural molecules. De Dietrich brings expertise in design and supply of process systems for pharmaceutical, food, chemical, and green chemistry industries, including extraction and purification process solutions. This exclusive turnkey partnership represents the core industrial photosynthesis commercialization strategy.
- France PBRcoreFrance PBR, designer and manufacturer of photobioreactors for industrial microalgae production, joins the consortium bringing expertise in mechanical design, process control, and proprietary software supervision. Contributes analysis, unit sizing, performance optimization, and industrial scale-up capabilities for Algae Production and photobioreactor construction and operation.
- Axess ImpactminorGeneva-based impact organization that facilitated the bringing together of NeoCarbons and De Dietrich around shared vision of accelerating industrial solutions for circular CO2 economy and building trust in impact-driven solutions.
- ZHAW (Zurich University of Applied Sciences)coreCollaboration with ZHAW, recognized as the best qualified Swiss laboratories for optimizing industrial production processes of green/bio chemicals from micro-algae. Quality-focused partnership ensuring best-in-class biotechnology research alignment.
- Swiss Food & Nutrition ValleycoreSelected as one of 18 Swiss foodtech startups to pitch to international investors at the annual Investing in the Valley event, connecting with angel investors and venture capital firms for food and agri-tech investments.
- Swiss Climate FoundationminorPartnership with Swiss Climate Foundation supporting climate-focused initiatives and sustainable technology development in Switzerland.
- CO2 Value EuropeminorMembership and participation in CO2 Value Europe network supporting CO2 utilization and conversion technologies across Europe.
- Cleantech ALPSminorRegional cleantech cluster partnership supporting clean technology innovation and collaboration in the Alpine region.
- InnovaudminorRegional innovation support organization in the Vaud region of Switzerland supporting technology companies.
- EABA (European Algae Biomass Association)minorMembership in European industry association for algae biomass supporting industry standards and networking.
- GRDFminorFrench gas distribution network exploring CO2 utilization and circular economy applications for biogas and gas distribution infrastructure.
- ShellminorExploration of potential applications for bio-based chemicals and sustainable energy solutions in partnership with major energy company.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
NeoCarbons competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Euglena Co., Ltd. Japanese microalgae company producing food, nutraceutical and biofuel products from Euglena and other strains. Comparable in microalgae cultivation platform, nutraceutical/food target markets, and industrial scale-up ambition.
- Photanol: Dutch microalgae-based chemistry company producing specialty chemicals from cyanobacteria using photosynthesis. Closely comparable in feedstock (microalgae), product portfolio (bio-based chemicals) and target customers (industrial off-takers).
- Algenol: US-based biotech using engineered cyanobacteria in photobioreactors to convert CO2 into ethanol and chemicals. Direct peer in algae photobioreactor-based CO2 valorization for fuels and chemicals.
- Aurora Algae: Australia-based developer of microalgae strains and cultivation systems producing nutraceuticals, aquafeed and protein. Comparable as a microalgae cultivation technology platform targeting high-value nutritional markets.
- LanzaTech: Carbon capture and gas-fermentation company that converts industrial CO2 and gases into fuels and chemicals. Comparable as a direct CO2-to-chemicals platform targeting fuel and chemical off-takers, but uses acetogen biocatalysts instead of microalgae photosynthesis.
Broad incumbents
- Neste: Global leader in renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel from biological feedstocks. Comparable as a broad incumbent in renewable chemicals/fuels competing for the same decarbonization budgets from industrial off-takers.
- Carbios: French industrial biotech developing enzymatic recycling of plastics and bio-based monomer production. Comparable as a European industrial biotech platform enabling circular CO2/effluent value chains for industrial customers.
- Aemetis: US renewable fuels and chemicals company producing biodiesel, renewable diesel and bio-based chemicals from biological feedstocks. Comparable as a broader renewable chemicals/fuels incumbent serving industrial decarbonization customers.
- Corbion (formerly Solazyme/TerVia algae business): Global food and biochemical ingredients company with algae-derived products in its portfolio. Comparable as a larger incumbent commercializing microalgae-based ingredients into food, nutraceutical and personal care markets.
Emerging players
- Abolis Biotechnologies: French synthetic biology company developing bio-based ingredients and alternatives to fossil-derived chemicals for cosmetics, food and industry. Comparable as an emerging European player using biology to produce sustainable specialty chemicals for industrial customers.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
NeoCarbons social profiles
Digital presenceNeoCarbons compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
NeoCarbons financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
NeoCarbons leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
NeoCarbons funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
NeoCarbons 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 NeoCarbons
What does NeoCarbons do?
NeoCarbons designs, manufactures, and sells patented photobioreactor equipment for industrial microalgae photosynthesis. The product line spans R&D units (5–50L) and industrial production reactors (up to 1000L), supported by customizable LED light systems, pulse light modules, and retrofitting services for existing bioreactor vessels. The technology converts industrial CO2 emissions into high-value biochemicals for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, dermo-cosmetic, food, and chemical industries.
Is NeoCarbons a public or private company?
NeoCarbons is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was NeoCarbons founded?
NeoCarbons was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is NeoCarbons based?
NeoCarbons is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does NeoCarbons make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Photobioreactor Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are strategic Co-development Partnerships and licensing of Patented Technology.
Who are NeoCarbons's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Euglena Co., Ltd., Photanol, Algenol, Aurora Algae and LanzaTech. Broad incumbents are Neste, Carbios, Aemetis and Corbion (formerly Solazyme/TerVia algae business). Abolis Biotechnologies is listed as an emerging player.
Does NeoCarbons have an API?
No public API is recorded for NeoCarbons.
What industry is NeoCarbons in?
NeoCarbons's product category is Industrial Biotechnology Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAMALAB, Biochemicals & Bio-based Platform Chemicals (cellulose sugars, lignin derivatives, organic acids), with a secondary code of EUABAJAD, Biofuels & Renewable Fuels Switching (Biomethane/RNG, Bio-oils, Sustainable Biomass). Its NAICS code is 32519 and its SIC code is 2860.