A Michigan Startup Takes On Big Plastic

Ecovia Bio secures fresh funding to scale biodegradable polymers and challenge petroleum-based plastics

11 Feb 2026

A fresh wave of investment is pushing America’s sustainable plastics movement into a pivotal moment.

Michigan-based Ecovia Bio has closed a Series B funding round aimed at scaling production of its biodegradable polymers, materials designed to replace petroleum-based plastics in everyday goods. The company has now raised about $16.1 million, a sign that investors see real momentum in bio-based alternatives.

The funding will expand manufacturing at Ecovia’s Livonia facility, boosting output of its AzuraBase and AzuraGel product lines. Both are built on gamma polyglutamic acid, or γ-PGA, a polymer produced through controlled fermentation using naturally occurring bacteria.

The timing is no accident. Regulators in the United States and abroad are tightening rules around microplastics and fossil-derived ingredients. Brands, under pressure to clean up supply chains, are searching for materials that biodegrade safely and perform reliably. Scaling production is critical if bioplastics are to move from niche uses into the mainstream.

“Capital from this round enables us to meet immediate demand from our cosmetics, personal care, and agricultural customers while establishing infrastructure to serve the hygiene sector at industrial scale,” Chief Executive Officer Kousay Said said.

Unlike oil-based plastics, γ-PGA is non-toxic and biodegradable. It also holds moisture exceptionally well, making it attractive for skincare products, absorbent hygiene items, and even soil enhancement. Performance, not just sustainability, will determine whether it can compete with entrenched petrochemical materials.

That competition remains fierce. Building large biopolymer plants requires heavy capital, operational discipline, and steady feedstock supply. Matching the cost and consistency of traditional plastics is still a defining hurdle for the industry.

Yet confidence appears to be building. As corporations align with sustainability targets and regulatory frameworks evolve, demand for alternatives is climbing. Expanded domestic production could help bio-based materials secure a firmer foothold in major supply chains.

Challenges persist, from price pressure to scrutiny over environmental claims. But with fresh capital and growing demand, Ecovia’s expansion suggests that the next chapter in plastics may be written not in oil fields, but in fermentation tanks.