Birch Biosciences Awarded $1.5M DOE SBIR Phase II Grant

We are excited to announce that Birch Biosciences has been awarded a $1.5 million DOE SBIR Phase II grant to further our work in enzymatic polyurethane recycling. This prestigious grant from the U.S. Department of Energy will allow us to continue developing and scaling our innovative enzyme-based technology to tackle one of the most difficult plastic waste challenges—polyurethane.

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Polyurethane is widely used in products like insulation, furniture, and automotive components, yet it is notoriously hard to recycle. Traditional recycling methods are limited and often inefficient, leaving vast amounts of polyurethane waste that end up in landfills. At Birch Biosciences, we’re leveraging enzyme technology to break down polyurethane into its original building blocks, making it possible to recycle and reuse these materials in new products.

This DOE Phase II award will support our efforts to scale up enzyme production, optimize the breakdown process, and refine our technology for large-scale applications. With this funding, we will focus on improving the efficiency and speed of the enzymatic degradation process, laying the foundation for widespread adoption of this sustainable recycling method.

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Our ultimate goal is to transform how the world deals with polyurethane waste, turning it from an environmental challenge into a valuable resource. With this grant, we are one step closer to commercializing our solution and helping industries across the globe implement greener, more effective recycling strategies.

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We would like to thank the DOE for their continued support and confidence in our technology, and we’re eager to collaborate with industry partners to bring this innovation to market.