Draft:Algenesis Labs
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Algenesis Labs (legally Algenesis Corporation) is an American materials science company headquartered in San Diego, California. Founded by a team of scientists from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), the company specializes in the development of bio-based, biodegradable polyurethane materials marketed under the brands Soleic® and Bio-Iso™.[1] The company’s technology is designed to replace petroleum-based plastics with "transient" materials that biodegrade in specific environmental conditions to prevent the accumulation of persistent microplastics.[2]
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| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Materials science |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Founder | Stephen Mayfield, Robert Pomeroy, Michael Burkart |
| Headquarters | , United States |
| Products | Soleic®, Bio-Iso™ |
| Website | www |
History
The company was founded in 2016 by UCSD professors Stephen Mayfield, Robert "Skip" Pomeroy, and Michael Burkart following academic research into algae-based polymers at the California Center for Algae Biotechnology.[3] Between its founding and 2021, the company was supported by approximately $14 million in federal research grants. In 2021, Algenesis transitioned to commercial production, utilizing the BLUEVIEW® footwear brand as a flagship proof-of-concept to demonstrate that 100% biodegradable materials could meet industrial performance and durability standards.[4]
Technology
The core technology at Algenesis involves the synthesis of bio-based polyurethane (PU) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Unlike conventional petroleum-based plastics, these materials are formulated for microbial consumption as a carbon source. A 2024 study published in Scientific Reports indicated that micro-particles of the company's Soleic TPU achieved 76% biodegradation in home compost conditions within 200 days.[5] In August 2025, the company expanded its technical capabilities by commissioning a pilot plant for Bio-Iso™, a 100% biogenic carbon diisocyanate.[6] This process utilizes plant-derived dicarboxylic acids and non-phosgene flow chemistry, a method intended to eliminate the toxic precursors typically required in traditional isocyanate manufacturing.
Industrial Partnerships and Media
Algenesis operates a "Science Hub" to share its peer-reviewed research, which included 17 papers as of 2026. This research has been featured in national media outlets such as PBS’s Human Footprint[7] and Business Insider’s "World Wide Waste."[8] To scale these technologies, the company maintains industrial partnerships, including a distribution agreement with Safic-Alcan for the European market and a supply partnership with P2 Science for algae-derived intermediates.[9] Other collaborations include Trelleborg Engineered Coated Fabrics, Tamarack Habilitation Technologies, and Ecogenesis Biopolymers for the development of "genTPU" 3D printing filament.[10]
Recognition
2025 Polyurethane Innovation Award: Awarded by the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) of the American Chemistry Council.[11]
2025 California Small Business of the Year: Named for Senate District 38 by Senator Catherine Blakespear.[12]
EcoVadis Silver Medal (2025): Ranked in the top 10th percentile for ESG performance with a score of 72.