Cemvita Surpasses Key Milestones in FermOil™ and FermNPK™ Development, Accelerating Path to FID for the First Commercial Plant in Brazil

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cemvita, a pioneer in industrial biotechnology, announced today two major advancements that underscore its leadership in building a truly circular bioeconomy.

First, the company has successfully increased the bioprocess productivity of its proprietary FermOil™ producing microorganism ahead of schedule, achieving this key performance milestone at least six months earlier than projected. This improvement—achieved using crude glycerol from biodiesel industries—significantly strengthens the techno-economics and scalability of FermWorks™, Cemvita’s commercial biomanufacturing plant.

“This productivity milestone is a big part of how we continue to make industrial biotech cheaper and faster,” said Moji Karimi, CEO and Cofounder of Cemvita. “I’m so proud of our team for accomplishing what many thought was not possible, and certainly not this fast.”

In parallel, the latest third-party test results for FermNPK™, the soil bio-stimulant co-product, reveal outstanding properties for soil health and regeneration. This includes not only the traditional nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, but also micronutrients and complex organic compounds that are critical for the maintenance of a healthy soil microbiome. This positions FermNPK™ as a valuable soil amendment for the precision agriculture of organic, high-value crops, as well as an organic-rich input for the regeneration of degraded, desertic soils.

As part of its commitment to true planetary sustainability, Cemvita applies the planetary boundaries framework to guide product development—going beyond carbon intensity to also reduce land use, water footprint, and biodiversity loss.

FermNPK™ plays a vital role in regenerative agriculture, not only by delivering essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients, but also by enriching the soil with complex organic compounds such as carbohydrates and proteins. These elements support soil microbial life, enhance biodiversity, and help restore degraded, desertic land into fertile ground. FermNPK™ displaces the need for synthetic fertilizers while fostering healthier, more resilient ecosystems.

In parallel, FermOil™ provides a low-carbon alternative feedstock for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), derived from industrial waste streams like crude glycerol. It eliminates the need for arable land or freshwater, addressing two of the most pressing constraints in sustainable fuel production.

Together, these products form the backbone of Cemvita’s waste-to-value platform and are well positioned to qualify for a broad range of sustainability-linked incentives, including SAF tax credits, participation in carbon markets, biofertilizer subsidies, and nature-based finance mechanisms in key global regions.

“Cemvita’s commitment to sustainability is shaped in no small part by the leadership of our Chief Science and Sustainability Officer,” said Tara Karimi. “When we talk about sustainability at Cemvita, we don’t stop at carbon. Our products are designed with the whole planet in mind—from the microbes we engineer to the ecosystems we aim to heal. That’s the power of biology when it’s done right.”

“These results reinforce the strength of our platform,” said Marcio Silva, CTO at Cemvita. “Every carbon atom we feed into our process is converted into valuable green chemicals, whether it’s biofuels, soil biostimulant fertilizer, or as a building block for the manufacturing of many different chemicals with numerous industrial applications. That’s what a real circular bioeconomy looks like.”

The combined progress in both FermOil™ and FermNPK™ not only further derisks the FermWorks™ project but also signals the viability of a new model for industrial-scale, waste-to-value biomanufacturing. With the support of strategic partners across energy, agriculture, and finance, Cemvita continues to set the pace for what’s possible in sustainable production.

About Cemvita

Cemvita harnesses the power of synthetic biology to transform carbon waste into valuable bio-based products. By reimagining waste as a resource, Cemvita produces sustainable oils, high-value biofertilizer and other foundational chemicals essential for industries ranging from aviation to personal care. With a mission to drive the transition to a circular bioeconomy, Cemvita partners with global corporations to deliver cutting-edge solutions that tackle climate challenges and pave the way for a sustainable future. For more information about Cemvita and its initiatives, please visit www.cemvita.com.