PILI

PILI is a French biotechnology company developing bio-based dyes and pigments by using microorganisms to transform renewable carbon through fermentation processes. The company's bio-based indigo is designed for use in the textile industry, while bio-based pigments are tailored for the ink, paint, coatings, and plastics industries.

PILI develops bio-based dyes based on microbial enzymes by designing enzymatic cascades that convert renewable carbon sources, such as sugar, into textile dyes. The company then integrates the genes for each enzyme into bacteria and other microorganisms, creating its own cell factories. These bacteria are grown in water-based bioreactors using sugar as their primary food source. At the end of the fermentation, the company separates the final pigments through filtration, yielding the final product.

PILI aims to replace petroleum-based indigo with bio-based indigo to reduce dependence on petroleum and cut CO2 emissions associated with production by more than 50%. The company asserts that its microorganisms produce the same amount of dye as petrochemical dyes, without the use of petroleum or chemicals, and require only one-fifth of the usual amount of water while growing at room temperature.

As of March 2023, the company had reportedly secured pre-orders worth millions of Euros for its bio-based dyes and pigments. The company also expected to establish a demonstration unit that will complement its industrial pilot plant, which has been operational since 2022.

Key customers and partnerships

In July 2016, PILI partnered with Toulouse White Biotechnology (TWB) to provide the former with all the necessary elements for the development and the upscaling of its processes. This partnership included access to the laboratories, equipment, and expertise of TWB's teams, as well as those of LISBP (Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Biologiques et des Procédés) and CRITT-Bioindustries.

Funding and financials

In February 2023, PILI secured USD 15.8 million in Series A funding led by Bpifrance to expedite its industrialization process and produce the first tons of bio-based indigo.