We’re thrilled to announce that Alberts Impact Ventures has teamed up with Breakthrough Victoria, alongside Investible, Artesian and Startmate in a $2.6 million pre-Series A funding round in support of Bygen’s revolutionary affordable and eco-friendly method for producing activated carbon.
The Melbourne-based start-up, co-founded by University of Adelaide researchers Ben Morton and Dr Lewis Dunnigan, is on a mission to establish scalable activated carbon produced from agricultural waste – with negative carbon footprints.
Bygen’s patented process utilises agricultural byproducts such as nut shells, straw and wine waste as a source of carbon and heat, replacing traditional coal-based methods. Their innovative approach reduces CO2 emissions, conserves water and lowers production costs, and also provides an alternative use for waste materials such as nut shells.
Better known as activated charcoal and widely known for its role in purifying water and air by removing impurities, activated carbon is valuable global commodity projected to reach a market value of USD 9.4 billion by 2032. It is essential for various applications including removing harmful, non-degradable substances like PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) from the environment. Bygen’s process enhances PFAS adsorption, outperforming current technologies.
Through the use of low-temperature, energy-efficient methods, ByGen is providing the opportunity to implement sustainable waste management techniques in the activated carbon industry – and a solution towards restoring the world’s polluted soil, water, and air.
“At Alberts, we were attracted by the resilient and dogged nature of Lewis and his team and the dual positive impact of the Bygen product,” says Impact Ventures head of strategy Glenn Bartlett, noting Bygen exemplifies Alberts mission to pioneer a vibrant and sustainable future for all.
“Not only is it used primarily to clean up and purify the environment but it does so by capturing CO2 in the process. A total win/win.”
The investment will aid in testing and setting up a large-scale production facility, with aspirations for additional commercial plants in Australia and abroad. Bygen aims to generate around 65 new jobs in Victoria within the next five years.
Says Bygen co-founder and CEO, Lewis Dunnigan, “As we continue to grow our production capacity and expand the positive environmental impact that our sustainable activated carbon has in the market, having supportive backers like this is crucial.”
