MetaCycl BioInnovations has ch g e d that by creating a bett bio-based plastic alt native that combines the flexible prop ties of traditional plastic d’is 100 p cent biodegradable. The Velocity startup produces polyhydroxyalk oates (PHA), a biodegradable polym , by engine ing bact ia to conv t waste from milk d cheese production. It’s a solution that upcycles waste from the dairy industry into cost-effective, sustainable bio-based plastics.
"Th e’s a shift towards sustainable mat ials like seaweed d sugarc e, but their mat ial prop ties often fall short compared to conventional plastics," says a Dadzie, co- found d director of communications at MetaCycl. "At MetaCycl , we extract the PHA that c be formed into pellets for plastic m’ufactur s to use. Our startup tackles the problem of food waste d plastic pollution in one solution."
MetaCycl started as a The comp y approached Dr. Charles’ lab, seeking innovative ways to repurpose their waste production.
Dr. Charles saw the potential of comm cializing Thakor’s work d brought the team togeth due to their similar research on molecular biology. Togeth with Jonath Parkes, a PhD candidate from the Univ sity of Guelph, they established MetaCycl.
In just two years, the startup has secured funding from United College’s GreenHouse Social Impact incubator , Wat loo’s Velocity incubator d’oth loo programs. In Septemb 2024, Dadzie d LeBl c joined the inaugural Entrepreneurial PhD Fellowship program at the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship d Business, wh e they comm cializ sustainable plastic solutions while continuing their doctoral studies.
