Industrial biotechnology companies use biological systems and processes to manufacture sustainable products, chemicals, materials and fuels. The sector aims to reduce reliance on fossil resources while improving production efficiency and environmental outcomes.
This category includes companies working on:
Browse 134 UK industrial biotechnology companies below.
Bacterial nanocellulose biomaterials replacing leather and plastic-coated textiles
Modern Synthesis develops biomaterials using nanocellulose produced through bacterial fermentation. The company combines the natural fibres with biopolymers and textiles to make durable alternatives to animal leather and plastic-coated fabrics. Its processes include roll-to-roll manufacturing designed to work with…
Microbial biopesticides and biological crop protection technologies
Bionema is an agricultural biotechnology company developing microbial and nematode-based products for biological crop protection and plant health. Its technology uses beneficial fungi, bacteria and nematodes, alongside specialised encapsulation and formulation systems, to control insect pests and improve the delivery…
Functionalised food proteins and sustainable ingredient technologies
Nandi Proteins is an industrial biotechnology company developing functional food ingredients from plant and animal proteins. Its processing technology modifies protein functionality to improve emulsification, binding and fat-replacement performance. Products and development programmes include collagen-based meat and…
Cyanobacterial synthetic biology platform producing sustainable specialty chemicals
Deep Blue Biotech is a biotechnology company using genetically engineered cyanobacteria to produce high-value specialty chemicals as sustainable alternatives to fossil-derived ingredients. The platform uses carbon dioxide, light, and water as primary inputs, guided by AI-driven metabolic modelling, to manufacture…
Graph AI platform for crop gene target discovery and precision breeding
Biographica is a London agbiotech developing a graph machine learning platform to identify and validate gene editing targets for crop improvement. The platform integrates genomic, transcriptomic, and scientific literature data within knowledge graphs, combining in silico modelling with in vivo validation at Rothamsted…
Algal biotechnology company developing Chlorella-based food ingredients
Algenuity Limited is an algal biotechnology company that develops and supplies Chlorella-based ingredients for food and beverage manufacturers. Using proprietary strain engineering and heterotrophic fermentation, the company produces white Chlorella, a neutral-coloured, allergen-free, protein-rich ingredient suitable…
Recombinant research proteins through innovative bioprocess engineering
Zeus Biologics is a biotechnology startup developing innovative bioprocess engineering approaches to reduce the cost of recombinant protein production for the research community. Founded by a former AstraZeneca biopharmaceutical development scientist, the company applies quality-by-design principles to biologics…
Mycelium fermentation technology for whole-cut meat alternatives
Adamo Foods is an industrial biotechnology company developing whole-cut meat alternatives from fungal mycelium. Its proprietary MyoFerm fermentation process produces naturally fibrous fungal biomass that can be formed into steaks and fillets using a small number of added ingredients. The company combines bioreactor…
Probiotic microbiome platform for skin health and dermatological conditions
SkinBioTherapeutics is a biotechnology company developing microbiome-based technologies for skin health. Its proprietary platform harnesses lysates derived from probiotic bacteria to improve skin barrier function, reduce infection risk, and support wound healing. Programmes target cosmetic skincare, psoriasis, eczema,…
Gene-edited crop traits for yield under climate stress
ALORA is an agricultural biotechnology company developing gene-edited crop traits that redirect plant energy from stress defence to yield. Using multiplex gene editing, the company targets regulatory pathways controlling how plants respond to heat, salinity, and drought, aiming to increase productivity across growing…
Supramolecular encapsulation chemistry for controlled active delivery
Aqdot is a chemical technology company developing supramolecular systems for capturing, protecting and releasing active ingredients. Its encapsulation platform is commercially applied to odour removal and industrial formulations, while its research extends to RNA delivery systems for vaccines and cancer therapies. The…
High-performance specialty ingredients for pharma, biotech and agriculture
Croda is a speciality chemicals company developing and manufacturing high-performance ingredients for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and agricultural markets. Its life sciences portfolio encompasses lipid nanoparticle delivery systems, high-purity pharmaceutical excipients, vaccine adjuvant components, and crop…
Carbon nanomaterial biostimulants enhancing photosynthesis
Glaia is an agricultural biotechnology company developing carbon-based nanomaterial biostimulants that enhance photosynthetic efficiency in food crops. Based on technology developed at the University of Bristol, its products are applied via foliar spray or irrigation and act at the cellular level to increase the…
Microbial food-waste treatment integrated with robotic handling
Vuala is an industrial biotechnology and robotics company developing on-site food-waste treatment equipment. Its systems combine microorganisms with automated handling and separation to process mixed food waste into a stabilised organic feedstock suitable for downstream energy recovery. Robotics manage bin lifting,…
Synthetic biology additives for smart, selectively degradable plastics
E.V.A Biosystems is an early-stage industrial biotech developing synthetic biological additives that can be incorporated into conventional plastics during manufacture. The technology uses engineered biological circuits to sense specific environments, such as seawater or landfill, and activate enzymatic degradation at…
Biotech-manufactured botanical extracts and bioactive ingredients for industry
YOHOLIFE is a London-based biotechnology company producing botanical extracts and bioactive ingredients through plant cell culture and synthetic biology techniques. The company integrates in-house research, manufacturing and compliance to develop application-ready ingredients for the cosmetic, nutraceutical and…
Crop nutrition technologies combining foliar chemistry and biological research
Crop Intellect is an agricultural technology company developing crop nutrition formulations and plant-performance technologies for sustainable farming. Its R-Leaf foliar photocatalyst converts atmospheric nitrogen oxides into nitrates that plants can use, while Tecal is designed to improve crop calcium delivery and…
Ocean-microbe fermentation platform for sustainable biosurfactants in personal care
BravelyCultured is a UK-based biotechnology company developing sustainable, biodegradable chemicals using ocean-based microorganisms and fermentation. The company's current focus is biosurfactants for personal and home care products, offering a skin-friendly, cost-effective alternative to synthetic surfactants.…
Precision fermentation platform producing sustainable palm oil alternatives
Sun Bear Biofuture is an industrial biotech company developing a precision fermentation platform to produce sustainable alternatives to palm oil. Using engineered yeast strains and agricultural side streams as feedstock, the company produces oils with functional properties comparable to palm oil, targeting food…
Genomics-led breeding of climate-resilient food crops
Viridian Seeds is an agricultural biotechnology company developing climate-resilient crop varieties using genomics-assisted trait discovery and plant breeding. Its research focuses on legumes, including chickpeas, lentils and soybeans, and improved tomatoes for sustainable food production. The company reports an…