ZAlternatives to Zymergen — Zymergen
Users exploring Zymergen alternatives often seek platforms that offer comparable capabilities in bioengineering automation and data-driven organism design without the same enterprise focus or historical pricing structure. Many compare options that emphasize open collaboration, different hardware integrations, or more accessible entry points for smaller teams working on similar molecular and microbial projects. The right alternative depends on whether the priority is scaling production pipelines, accessing pre-built strain libraries, or integrating with existing lab software stacks that Zymergen historically targeted at larger industrial partners.
Ginkgo Bioworks operates a large foundry that designs custom microbes for chemicals, materials, and ingredients. It offers end-to-end organism engineering and scale-up support rather than a pre-built acrylic acid package. Compared with Industrial Microbes, Ginkgo provides broader molecule flexibility but requires longer program timelines and higher upfront fees for custom strain development.
Industrial MicrobesGinkgo Bioworks operates a large foundry that designs custom microbes for chemicals, materials, and ingredients. It offers end-to-end organism engineering and scale-up support rather than a pre-built acrylic acid package. Compared with Industrial Microbes, Ginkgo provides broader molecule flexibility but requires longer program timelines and higher upfront fees for custom strain development.
GenomaticaGenomatica develops fermentation processes that convert sugars into bio-based chemicals including 1,4-butanediol and acrylic acid precursors. It has reached commercial-scale partnerships and focuses on cost-competitive drop-in molecules. Versus Industrial Microbes, Genomatica emphasizes sugar feedstocks and has more published commercial volume data, while Industrial Microbes highlights ethanol and methane routes.
LanzaTechLanzaTech uses gas-fermenting microbes to convert carbon oxides and methane into ethanol and chemicals. It has multiple commercial plants running on industrial waste gases. Compared with Industrial Microbes, LanzaTech is further along in methane-to-product deployment but focuses on ethanol and 2,3-butanediol rather than acrylic acid.
Amyris engineers yeast to produce sustainable ingredients and materials from plant sugars. Its platform has scaled multiple molecules for cosmetics and polymers. In comparison to Industrial Microbes, Amyris targets higher-value specialty markets and sells finished ingredients rather than licensing strains for bulk acrylic acid.
DuPont has long-standing bio-based materials programs and has explored fermentation routes to intermediates. It focuses on integrated materials solutions rather than standalone acrylic acid. Relative to Industrial Microbes, DuPont offers downstream polymer expertise but fewer public details on ethanol-to-acrylic acid strains.
BASFBASF develops and commercializes bio-based acrylic acid through internal R&D and partnerships. It has pilot-scale renewable acrylic acid and large existing petrochemical capacity. Compared with Industrial Microbes, BASF can supply both bio and conventional grades at global scale but has less emphasis on third-party strain licensing.
CargillCargill invests in bio-based intermediates and has partnered on fermentation routes to acrylic acid and other chemicals. It brings large-scale fermentation assets and agricultural feedstock access. Against Industrial Microbes, Cargill offers manufacturing muscle but typically works through joint ventures rather than pure strain licensing.
NovozymesNovozymes supplies industrial enzymes and has supported bio-based chemical projects through strain improvement and process optimization. It does not produce acrylic acid itself. In contrast to Industrial Microbes, Novozymes sells enabling technology rather than complete acrylic acid bioprocess packages.
GevoGevo produces renewable alcohols and chemicals via engineered yeast fermentation of sugars. It targets aviation fuel and chemical markets. Versus Industrial Microbes, Gevo is further along in commercial ethanol and isobutanol production but has not announced acrylic acid as a primary product.