Startup utilizes ancient bacteria to convert Texas CO2 into eco-friendly chemicals.

      Again, the German-Danish startup that utilizes ancient bacteria to convert CO2 into new chemicals, is establishing a new bioreactor facility in Texas. This plant will be situated in Texas City, a significant petrochemicals hub located along the Gulf Coast. The industrial complex is managed by Diamond Infrastructure Solutions, a partnership between the chemical powerhouse Dow and Macquarie Asset Management.

      Max Kufner, co-founder of Again, mentioned to TNW, “We’re constructing a global enterprise, which entails expanding our technology into new areas.” He noted the strong demand in the US for their chemicals, especially those that can be produced sustainably onshore.

      The upcoming facility is set to capture CO2 from one of the refineries in Texas City. Again will then mix this gas with hydrogen and provide the blend to a group of ancient bacteria. These microorganisms will consume the mixture, converting it into commercial-grade substances such as acetate, a fundamental ingredient in products ranging from plastics and cosmetics to paint.

      Currently, most industrial acetate is produced from fossil fuels. By utilizing CO2 that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere, Again aims to create cleaner chemical alternatives. The company asserts that its CO2 fermenter can reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) during chemical production by as much as 80%.

      The petrochemical sector accounts for 4% of global GHG emissions, which is double that of air travel, making Again’s technology potentially transformative. Furthermore, the company claims that its product is competitively priced compared to chemicals derived from fossil fuels.

      Again launched its first pilot plant in Copenhagen in 2023, which processes up to 1 tonne of CO2 daily into acetate. The company is also in the process of constructing a facility in Norway, supported by a $47 million grant from the EU’s Horizon Europe research initiative.

      The startup emerged from over ten years of research led by Dr. Torbjørn Jensen and Professor Alex Nielsen at the Technical University of Denmark. They collaborated with Kufner, a former German early-stage investor, to establish the startup in 2021. To date, Again has secured $150 million in funding, as reported by Dealroom.

      Construction has already commenced at the Diamond Texas City site, where Again plans to develop a new facility and initiate production within a year. To launch its low-carbon chemicals, Again is collaborating with German chemical distributor Helm, focusing on targeting heavy industries in the area as primary clients.