Mitsui Chemicals has said that it has made a minority investment in Canadian startup Materia Bioworks.
Founded in 2023, Materia Bioworks is using computational chemistry and AI to develop a platform that can efficiently design and formulate sustainable materials, such as bioplastics. The company says that its platform will allow for streamlined product development, reducing the cost and time taken to bring new bioplastics to market.
Materia Bioworks says that its Material Application Prediction System (MAPS) is able to formulate and design bioplastics and other sustainable materials so that they meet required performance targets. Thermal, mechanical and physical properties can be specified, with AI suggesting optimal formulations and material design, the company says.
The platform can also provide advice on processing conditions and support companies in obtaining approvals for bioplastics in compliance with regulation in various countries by leveraging a proprietary database of biomaterials and biodegradable materials. The company adds that the platform can also be used to conduct simulations of customer’s product lines using digital twins.
By utilising Materia Bioworks’ bioplastics design service, Mitsui Chemicals has said that the aim is it to expand its biomaterials offering to its customers globally. In addition, Mitsui Chemicals will collaborate with Materia Bioworks to meet performance and quality requirements through possible joint development initiatives.
Mitsui Chemicals added that the investment in Materia Bioworks is being made through its 321Catalyst corporate venture fund.
Further reading:
- CuspAI's ‘AI Materials Foundry’ aims to fix materials discovery bottleneck
- Artificial photosynthesis boosts bioplastic production in Japanese study
- Lotus leaf inspires new bioplastic
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