The first green, non-toxic antifouling agent for sealants, coatings and paints to transform the construction and marine industries
Project information
ZABIO Grant agreement ID: 958730
Start date 1 October 2020
End date 31 March 2023
A healthy alternative for antifouling paints
Most antifouling bottom paints contain neurotoxins that can have destructive effects on human health and the environment. Unfortunately, even though they pose numerous hazards to health, they are widely used as antifouling agents by many industries due to lack of an alternative. The EU-funded ZABIO project is behind the development of a cell-based manufacturing system for renewable production of sulfated compounds. The bio-based antifouling agent zosteric acid (ZA-bio) is an ecologically friendly, safe antifouling product that is expected to emerge as a fully competitive choice to replace toxic, chemical paints. The project will bring a new product to the market and help in reaching the EU environmental goals.
Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project
Across many huge industries, like construction, marine and agriculture, toxic biocides are used as antifouling agents to prevent micro- and macro-organism damaging surfaces. However, such antifouling agents pose large environmental and societal burdens as they are potential harmful to the environment. Increased regulations and legislations regarding banning and lowering use of toxic antifouling agents is pushing industries to seek for green alternatives. However, no safe, eco-friendly and cost-competitive antifouling agents are currently available that meet the functional requirements to prevent attachment of organisms…until now. Cysbio have developed a proprietary cell-based manufacturing system for renewable production of sulfated compounds, of interest is the bio-based antifouling agent zosteric acid (ZA-bio). The team have leveraged advanced metabolic and enzyme engineering to optimize yields of ZA-bio, creating a cell factory system that can be upscaled to meet substantial chemical company demands. Cysbio enables a green and safe antifouling agent that is commercially viable for the first time, as ZA-bio is cost-competitive with existing toxic heavy metal and synthetic chemical alternatives. The ZABIO consortium consists of a non-profit SME, a service provider for process development, scale-up of biobased products and processes (Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant) and large multinational chemical and consumer goods company (Henkel) to fulfil the value chain and accelerate market entry of ZA-bio integrated products into the construction industry within two years (Q3 2022). As a result of this project ZA-bio will be commercially available as a chemical compound (sales by Cysbio) and initial contracts with Henkel will facilitate market growth by introduction of ZA-bio based sanitary sealants and façade coatings. The two year project will address EU health and environmental goals.
Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far
Cysbio has generated a production strain and fermentation process that exceeds expectations, and which has been transferred to process scale-up and downstream process development at BBEPP. At the current state the production process is antibiotic-free and the upscaling efforts to 15m3 scale are completed both for fermentation and downstream processing. Several batches of different qualities of ZA-bio for application testing at HENKEL and for other commercialization efforts were provided by BBEPP. First application data show a clear antifouling effect against bacterial growth on tiles without an effect on cell viability. As part of the commercialization efforts, the product registration path is identified, and an initial literature review has been performed. Application trials have been conducted for other markets, showing some promising effects, and a patent application has been filed. A roadmap towards reaching registration for different markets is underway, and application data to open markets beyond the end of the project has been initiated. Delay in product samples and product definition has caused delays for application testing and registration and thus the project has been extended by six months. We remain to see the integration into products by the end of reporting period 2 (24 mo). Dissemination has begun through the engagement of a PR agency. Project management and reporting has occurred consistently and timely according to plan.
Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)
This consortium advances the state-of-the-art for the first time, with a nature-identical antifouling solution, harnessing zosteric acid. The innovative elements of ZA-bio that advance antifouling products for construction and other industries are supported by unique expertise and Intellectual Property Rights of the ZABIO consortium. Such aspects comprise:
- Innovative sustainable production of ZA-bio: CYSBIO’s proprietary Sulfation Technology Platform employs novel recombinant host cells for accelerated natural synthesis in titers and yields that are commercially economic and attractive. This has been satisfied, while there is still room for improvements in key fermentation parameters, which in turn will benefit the economy and the purification process. Within the remain period of the project, some advances are expected.
- Upscaling of ZA-bio manufacturing by fermentation: BBEPP’s deep experience and facilities enables 1) de-risked upscaling of fermentation processes to 15 m3 within 2 years, and 2) develop an efficient and solvent free downstream product purification process compatible with large scale production. Such expertise will accelerate ZA-bio to market as the first 100% bio-based effective and economical antifouling agent. The fermentation process has been upscaled to 15 m3, however, with lower performance and therefore end titer than in the smaller scales. Samples have been taken for further analysis they may contribute to the understanding of the process. The downstream process has an unsatisfying yield, product definition and product color, and the scaling up to commercial scale would require further studies.
- Testing and modification of ZA-bio for product integration: For HENKEL, this opportune ZABIO collaboration allows first mover advantage for entering the market with first 100% bio-based antifouling agent. HENKEL can leverage state-of-art facilities to test and modify the ZA-bio compound to be compatible with non-water-based silicone and acrylate technologies according to current product specifications, guaranteeing market access.
- Spin-off potential: the unique mechanical antifouling mechanism of action allows safe use of ZA-bio in many industries, particularly agriculture as a bio-alternative to pesticides, in healthcare and food packaging as an antimicrobial surfactant, and pharmaceuticals and supplements for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Unique and novel chemical properties of conductivity and heat resistance would allow ZA-bio to be used as monomer for breakthrough polymers with applications in ion-exchange membranes, fuel cells and even battery technology. Together these markets exceed €10 billion in total value, and a realistic long-term business potential for ZA-bio is above €1 billion, even if just 2-3 of these markets open up as expected.