What Green Biologics does

Green Biologics Limited is a UK-headquartered (Oxford) renewable specialty chemicals producer founded in 2003. The company has developed a proprietary Advanced Fermentation Process (AFP™) that uses engineered Clostridia microorganisms (including C. acetobutylicum, C. beijerinckii, and C. saccharobutylicum) to perform ABE (Acetone, Butanol, Ethanol) fermentation of sugars derived from renewable feedstocks such as corn, agricultural residues, and forestry by-products, yielding 100% bio-based n-butanol (marketed as nC4-OL™) and acetone (marketed as C3-ONE™) that are molecularly identical to their petroleum-derived equivalents and therefore drop-in replaceable.

Commercial production is centred on a 21 million gallon-per-year facility in Little Falls, Minnesota, acquired in 2014 via the Central Minnesota Renewables subsidiary and converted from ethanol to n-butanol/acetone output using AFP™; production began in 2017, with US Sales & Marketing and a Technical Centre also located in Little Falls. The platform is certified USDA BioPreferred, Kosher, Halal, and REACH-compliant, and supports downstream derivatives including butyl glycol ethers, MIBK, and acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) plasticizer, as well as branded consumer products such as Greenflame™ clean-burning fuels and EcoLight™ natural charcoal lighter fluid (launched with Kingsford/Clorox) and a bio-based acetone nail polish remover (launched with Sally Beauty).

The company monetises through contract-based B2B chemical sales of n-butanol, acetone, and derivatives to industrial manufacturers in cosmetics and personal care, paints and coatings, home and industrial cleaning, and specialty industrial applications; through co-development and offtake partnerships (notably Jungbunzlauer for ATBC and Kreussler for dry cleaning solvent); through branded consumer fuel products via retail partners (Kroger, Sally Beauty); and through distribution agreements with Caldic in the EU and Nexeo Solutions in the US. The GTM is sales-led, with industry events (BIO World Congress, CPhI, Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference) and trade press serving as demand-generation channels.

Name

Green Biologics

Legal name

Green Biologics Limited

Website

https://greenbiologics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Green Biologics produces renewable, bio-based n-butanol and acetone via proprietary Clostridia fermentation at a 21 MGY facility in Little Falls, MN, selling drop-in replacement chemicals and branded consumer fuels to industrial manufacturers and consumer product companies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Renewable Specialty Chemicals

NAICS

Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing (32519), Chemical Manufacturing (325)

SIC

Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)

akta.pro primary industry

Bio-based Solvents & Process Chemicals (e.g., bio-acetone, bio-butanol, bio-IPA, green solvents) (EUAAAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Biochemicals & Bio-based Platform Chemicals (cellulose sugars, lignin derivatives, organic acids) (IMAMALAB)

Keywords

• Bio-based chemicals
• Renewable n-butanol
• Bio-acetone production
• ABE fermentation technology
• Specialty chemicals manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Abingdon

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Bio-based Chemical Sales (n-butanol, acetone, derivatives): Green Biologics generates revenue primarily from the sale of bio-based n-butanol (nC4-OL™) and acetone (C3-ONE™) produced at its 21 million gallon-per-year repurposed ethanol plant in Little Falls, MN. These chemicals serve as drop-in replacements for petroleum-derived equivalents across multiple industrial markets. Additional revenue derives from downstream derivatives (butyl glycol ethers, MIBK, bisphenol A alternatives, ATBC plasticizer) synthesized from core chemicals. Pricing is commodity-like but with premium positioning justified by bio-based sourcing and superior purity.
2. Branded Consumer Products: Green Biologics develops and markets branded consumer products leveraging its renewable chemical platform. Notable products include Greenflame™ (patented clean-burning charcoal lighter fluid, marketed by Kingsford under EcoLight brand), and bio-based acetone nail polish remover (marketed by Sally Beauty). Revenue from branded products is realized through retail partnerships and direct customer relationships.
3. Co-development and Formulation Partnerships: Green Biologics partners with customers to co-develop formulations and derivatives using its renewable chemicals. Partnerships include Jungbunzlauer (bio-based plasticizers, ATBC), Kreussler Chemicals (bio-based dry cleaning solvent), and various cosmetics and personal care companies. These partnerships drive volume offtake and provide co-development fees or preferential supply arrangements.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Green Biologics manufactures and sells 100% bio-based n-butanol (nC4-OL™) and acetone (C3-ONE™) produced through proprietary ABE (Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol) fermentation using engineered Clostridia microorganisms at its 21 million gallon-per-year facility in Little Falls, Minnesota. The bio-based chemicals are positioned as direct drop-in replacements for petroleum-derived equivalents in cosmetics, personal care, coatings, cleaning, flavours & fragrances, and industrial applications, with downstream derivatives (ATBC plasticizer, butyl glycol ethers, MIBK) and consumer brands (Greenflame, EcoLight) extending the platform.

Product overview

Green Biologics is a renewable specialty chemicals company producing bio-based n-butanol (nC4-OL) and acetone (C3-ONE) through proprietary Clostridium-based ABE (Acetone, Butanol, Ethanol) fermentation technology. The company operates a 21 million gallon per year facility in Little Falls, MN, repurposed from ethanol production. The product portfolio centers on these two core fermentation products, which serve as feedstocks for derivatives (butyl glycol ethers, MIBK, plasticizers) and consumer brands (Greenflame home fuels, EcoLight charcoal lighter fluid). Products are sold as direct drop-in replacements for petroleum-based equivalents with applications across cosmetics, personal care, coatings, cleaning, flavours/fragrances, and industrial sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• C3-ONE: Renewable Acetone product brand - 100% bio-based, high purity acetone produced from fermentation of sugars
• nC4-OL
• Greenflame
• EcoLight

Products and services

• nC4-OL (Renewable n-butanol) 100% bio-based, high-purity n-butyl alcohol produced via proprietary Clostridium microbial fermentation. Functions as a direct drop-in replacement for petroleum-derived n-butanol in cosmetics, personal care, coatings, cleaning, and industrial applications, with no aldehydes and lower iso-butanol than petroleum equivalents.
• C3-ONE (Renewable Acetone) Bio-based, high-purity acetone produced via advanced ABE fermentation technology using engineered Clostridia microorganisms. Used as a solvent and VOC-exempt cleaning agent in cosmetics, personal care, and industrial cleaning applications.
• Derivatives (Butyl Glycol Ethers, MIBK, Bisphenol A)

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced aldehyde content and lower iso-butanol levels vs petroleum-derived n-butanol, eliminating need for additional purification processing
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Kingsford (The Clorox Company)flagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 29 March 2018Green Biologics partnered with Kingsford (a brand of The Clorox Company) to launch EcoLight™ Natural Charcoal Lighter Fluid in March 2018. The product uses Green Biologics' bio-based ethanol as a key ingredient, marketed under Kingsford's well-known charcoal brand. This is a flagship consumer brand partnership bringing Green Biologics' renewable chemicals into a major national retail brand.
• JungbunzlauercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 February 2017Green Biologics partnered with Jungbunzlauer in February 2017 to develop and commercialize bio-based plasticizers, specifically acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC), using Green Biologics' renewable n-butanol as feedstock. Jungbunzlauer commercialized the ATBC product for use in toys, consumer, and healthcare products. The partnership demonstrates Green Biologics' strategy of leveraging its chemical platform to create downstream derivative opportunities.
• HOC IndustriescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2016Green Biologics announced a partnership with HOC Industries in November 2016. The nature of the partnership relates to the supply and commercialization of Green Biologics' renewable chemicals into HOC Industries' product applications, representing a strategic customer partnership for volume offtake.
• CaldiccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 3 October 2016Green Biologics selected Caldic as its EU distribution partner in October 2016, granting Caldic rights to distribute Green Biologics' renewable n-butanol and acetone across the European market. Caldic's established distribution network in the specialty chemicals sector supports Green Biologics' European market penetration and customer reach.
• Nexeo SolutionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 7 April 2016Green Biologics selected Nexeo Solutions as its US distribution partner in April 2016. Nexeo Solutions provides distribution services for Green Biologics' renewable chemicals across the US market, leveraging its established specialty chemical distribution infrastructure and customer relationships.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• Gevo: US-based renewable chemicals and biofuels company producing bio-based isobutanol and sustainable aviation fuel via fermentation. Closely comparable as a publicly-listed, fermentation-route, drop-in specialty alcohol producer competing in the same bio-based C3/C4 solvent market.
• Genomatica: US bio-based chemicals developer commercializing fermentation routes to 1,4-butanediol, butylene glycol and butadiene. Comparable as a venture-to-commercial-stage industrial biotech company licensing/operating proprietary fermentation technology to produce drop-in renewable commodity chemicals.
• ZeaChem: US cellulosic biofuels and biochemicals developer using a hybrid biochemical + catalytic conversion route to produce ethanol and acetate. Comparable as a cellulosic, bio-based chemical/fuel producer with similar feedstock-flexibility and commercial-stage profile.
• Cobalt Technologies: Former US bio-butanol producer that pursued ABE fermentation on cellulosic feedstock before ceasing operations. Historically the most direct competitor to Green Biologics in cellulosic bio-n-butanol via Clostridia fermentation, illustrating both the opportunity and execution risk of the category.
• LanzaTech: US/NZ carbon-capture-to-chemicals company using proprietary gas fermentation (acetogenic microbes) to produce ethanol and platform chemicals from industrial off-gases. Comparable as a venture-backed industrial biotech firm commercializing proprietary microbial fermentation at scale for renewable commodity chemicals.
• BioAmber: Bio-based succinic acid producer using engineered yeast fermentation to displace petrochemical succinic acid in polymer, food and personal care applications. Comparable as a fermentation-route, drop-in renewable chemical producer with similar capital intensity, scale-up risk profile and target end markets.
• Butamax Advanced Biofuels: BP/DuPont joint venture developing bio-isobutanol via fermentation as a gasoline blendstock and chemical feedstock. Comparable as a fermentation-route C4 alcohol developer pursuing drop-in fuel and chemical markets with large strategic backers.
• Cathay Industrial Biotech: Chinese bio-based chemicals producer using engineered microbial fermentation to make bio-based polyamide monomers (long-chain diacids) and bio-butanol. Comparable as a vertically integrated, fermentation-route, commodity-scale producer of renewable industrial chemicals with dedicated manufacturing.

Broad incumbents

• Eastman Chemical: US specialty chemicals major with a significant merchant n-butanol and acetone business alongside broader solvents, plasticizers and intermediates portfolios. Competes head-to-head in the same downstream solvents, coatings and plasticizer applications that Green Biologics targets with its bio-based offering.
• BASF: Global integrated petrochemical incumbent and one of the world's largest producers of n-butanol and acetone via the oxo process. Direct competitive incumbent against Green Biologics in merchant n-butanol/acetone volumes, with vastly greater scale, distribution reach and feedstock optionality.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GreenBioLtd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/green-biologics-ltd-
• Facebookfacebook.com/greenbioltd

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds9 records

Investors10 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 Green Biologics