Rubi Laboratories: Next in Biotech

You cannot deny the difficulty in trusting a startup's competence, especially one that attempts to tackle a major problem with less than $1 million of funding. However, NSF reveals that biocatalyst company Rubi labs has been granted almost this much, with not only an excellent proposition for research, but a major advantage in existing equity. 

The twin sisters who founded the tech corp are daughters of major Y2K company Bebe Stores — you know those cute tank tops you see in thrift stores with the stretched, bedazzled logo? Well, the brand’s family raised two girls in Northern California, and whether it was a childhood surrounded by redwood forests or the media guilt handed to younger generations for climate change, the twins fueled their careers by investing in innovative tech. 

I have seen this evolution a few times, such as Phoebe Gates (daughter of Bill Gates) developing sustainability extension Phia, or even Antoine Arnault taking a more environmental-based initiative in his involvement with his family’s LVMH powerhouse. Wonderfully refreshing for a rich kid to find interest in environmental aid, or rather, feel obligated to join the mission. The science behind Rubi battles CO2 pollution by developing a cell-free enzymatic conversion within apparel manufacturing — essentially creating textiles by turning carbon molecules to cellulose, and significantly lessening deforestation/carbon emissions.

It’s extremely quick, as the press release discusses on advancedmanufacturing.org, “By producing forest-free cellulose in hours rather than decades and with drastically reduced carbon emissions, water usage, and land impact, Rubi offers a faster, more sustainable alternative to traditional wood pulp”. The technique of modern apparel manufacturing has a very high byproduct waste rate (70%), and with severe energy consumption, the effects are dreadful on the climate. 

If a Phase II tech lab can transform clothing production by heightening efficiency and lowering carbon, why have large-scale supply chains not made the switch overnight? Traditional textile production uses fermentation or chemical synthesis, and truthfully, the industry is built around this technology, producing a low likelihood of Rubi’s adoption. To introduce the new technology, there is not only a risk in the lifespan of the garments (the enzymatic cascade reactions had not been commercially and fiscally successful in earlier research, leading to a lack of longevity testing), but there would be a significant cost in overturning infrastructure. Global supply chains could find interest in enzymatic production if ROI is proven concrete — this is why research must not cease. Alright, so synthetic and plant-based fibers are the core of established technology, but this mindset has never produced innovation! To search for a better alternative is to search for a better tomorrow.

Major corporations have ‘partnered’ with Rubi, which essentially means that they’ve had capital investment firms sniff out climate-friendly companies and pour some money into them, maybe demo some prototypes, to maintain a green face. H&M Group Ventures has invested in Rubi, sure – but they are still one of the most unethical, greenwashing companies in the modern market, ruining any sustainable garments by blending good materials with synthetic fibers (destroying recyclability), and not implementing any real biotechnology. Walmart has agreed to test the carbon conversions in their supply chain, but who knows the real effort they’re putting into piloting these textiles. Patagonia and Reformation are examples of partnerships that have pursued regenerative behavior and can prove it. 

If I was local to Almeda, I would be in an annoyingly active pursuit of a job with Rubi… so if you find yourself qualified, join their team and pursue their symbiotic efforts on my behalf.