Sun Bear Biofuture

About Sun Bear Biofuture

Based in Oxford, UK, Sun Bear Biofuture is a biotechnology firm founded in 2022 by CEO Ben Wilding and CTO Ben Williams. Wilding has a background in technology business, change management, and sustainability, while Williams previously worked in AI research and robotics at major tech firms. The company was established to address the environmental impact of the fats and oils industry, particularly the widespread deforestation caused by palm oil production. Its name is a direct reference to the sun bear, a species endangered by habitat loss from agricultural clearing.

The core of Sun Bear Biofuture's business is the production of a sustainable alternative to palm oil through precision fermentation. The company utilizes a specific strain of yeast that naturally produces an oil with a fatty acid composition and functional properties very similar to refined palm oil, which is approximately 50% saturated. By optimizing this yeast strain through synthetic biology and automating the fermentation process, the company aims to produce commercially viable quantities of oil. A key aspect of their sustainability model is the use of agricultural and food manufacturing side-streams, such as potato peels and bread waste, as feedstock for the yeast, upcycling products that would otherwise be wasted.

The resulting product is designed as a drop-in substitute for palm oil, targeting business-to-business clients in the food, cosmetics, and oleochemical markets. It can be used in a wide array of goods including baked items, plant-based meats, biofuels, and personal care products like shampoo. Sun Bear Biofuture asserts that its process can reduce land use and carbon emissions by 80-90% compared to traditional palm oil production. This offers clients a way to mitigate supply chain risks, improve environmental credentials, and comply with regulations like the EU's Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The company has received backing from investors such as EIT Food, Tech Nation Group, and Innovate UK, and collaborates with academic institutions like Aberystwyth University to scale its production. The firm is targeting industrial production by early 2026.