Using innovative processes found in nature to brew sustainable alternatives to palm oil
C16 Biosciences has developed a platform for producing next-generation oils, fats, and lipids to eliminate the most unsustainable ingredients in our consumer products system. Our first product is a biofermented oil to replace palm oil, an ingredient found in fifty percent of products on supermarket shelves. Palm oil is ubiquitous in personal care, home care, and food products because it unlocks unique performance benefits in the finished good, but its production is dependent on deforestation. Our platform combines centuries of evolution with the latest tools in biotechnology to produce high performance, highly sustainable fats and oils that are good for human health and planetary health. You can learn more at www.c16bio.com
Notable Achievements
- Raised $24 million to date, including funding from Breakthrough Energy Ventures (Bill Gates) and US DOE.
- Increased process efficiency 5x in two years.
- Company and palm oil issue featured in top beauty industry publications, including Marie Claire, Vogue, Clean Academy, trade publications
Press Mentions

February 22, 2023
The Next Step in C16 Biosciences’ Mission to Upend $60B Palm Oil Industry Is a Multipurpose Beauty Product
Biotech company C16 Biosciences is debuting its first torula oil-powered beauty product through its consumer-facing platform, Palmless.
Read on WWD »
November 28, 2022
c16 Biosciences gears up to launch fermentation-based palm oil replacement for personal care in 2023, food in 2024
Utilized in everything from lipsticks and moisturizers to baked goods and confectionery, palm oil comes with environmental and societal costs – displacing tropical forests across Asia, Latin...
Read on foodnavigator-usa.com »Work at C16 Biosciences
Posted March 11, 2023
Scientist/Sr. Scientist, Team Lead - Strain Engineering
New York, NY, USA
View Listing »More Ventures in Energy & Environment and Food & Water
Get the Unreasonable Newsletter
Get twice-monthly updates on C16 Biosciences and over 361 other ventures working to solve the world's toughest problems.