Pili reaches bio-based anthranilic acid production milestone

French biotech company Pili, a manufacturer of sustainable colorants and pigments, has produced tonnes of anthranilic acid, a 100% bio-based aromatic compound, which it has converted into dyes and pigments.

"For non-chemists, aromatic compounds are particularly stable ring-shaped molecular structures. They are components of many of our everyday products, such as dyes, fragrances, flavors, and some cosmetic and pharmaceutical ingredients," explains Jérémie Blache, CEO of Pili, adding that the company is the first to offer petroleum-free aroma raw materials on an industrial scale.

To sustainably produce a source of aromatic compounds, Pili uses industrial fermentation based on its proprietary microorganisms. The company says fermentation avoids the use of fossil feedstocks by using non-food sugars derived from biomass.

According to the Toulouse, France-based biotech company, several tonnes of the aniline derivative with 90% purity has been produced at industrial grade, has been registered with REACH and is ready for commercialization as an intermediate.

"Anthranilic acid is a very interesting platform molecule. Anilines, carboxylic acids, phenols, salicylates... there is a wide range of chemical compositions that can be obtained from this intermediate," commented Guillaume Boissonnat-Wu, Scientific and Industrial Director at Pili. "Pili is able to develop full or partial synthetic pathways from this intermediate to reference dyes, pigments, fragrances, fragrances and other aromatic compounds, all based on green chemistry principles."

To expand its ambitions into other markets, Pili plans to work with partners interested in co-developing aromatics chemistries and working on decarbonizing its product portfolio.