The ABPDU serves as a scale-up testbed for collaborators developing technologies that transform raw materials—such as plants and waste—into sustainable products that affect our everyday lives. The DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office provides co-shared funding to the ABPDU industry partners to demonstrate these technologies and systems at progressive scales.
The ABPDU was established in 2012 with the mission of accelerating the commercialization of renewable technologies that could bolster the bioeconomy. At that time, the world of biotechnology was rapidly changing. Reading, writing, and editing the genetic code became cheaper and generated several new technologies ready for commercialization. This progress led to the emergence of several fast-growing companies pursuing a wide range of sustainable bioproducts. As ABPDU’s capabilities expanded, several of these new biotech companies looked to the ABPDU to quickly test and further develop their technologies.
As a result of industry collaborations, the ABPDU has proven to be a key resource in defining where biotechnology can succeed in the marketplace. Its partners have ranged from National Labs and universities to emerging startups and established companies. Many of these partners have set up their own labs or pilot plants and secured additional funding as a direct result of working with the ABPDU.
