Turning Carbon into the Fossils of the Future

Bristol-based startup neo-fossil is creating brand-new fossils – but with a twist. These aren’t remnants of the past, but carbon-storing biomaterials that permanently lock away carbon dioxide from the air for centuries , turning emissions in the atmosphere into useful products that can help build a sustainable future.

Inspired by nature, the team looked to plants – as Co-founder & CEO Joshua explains: “Plants absorb carbon dioxide as they grow and transform it into thousands of compounds. Some of these compounds resist decomposition and are preserved in fossils millions of years old. We believe these are perfect for creating sustainable materials that permanently trap atmospheric carbon.”

neo-fossil identified the toughest plant compounds and engineered them into fast-growing bacteria, supercharging nature’s process. The result? A rapid, scalable way to remove carbon dioxide from the air and convert it into high-value biomaterials that permanently trap legacy emissions – with applications ranging from concrete and insulation to supercapacitors and even space exploration materials!

By combining carbon dioxide capture with material production, neo-fossil tackles two climate challenges – mitigating climate change and replacing fossil-based materials with more sustainable alternatives. And unlike other carbon removal technologies that rely on vast land or specialist sites to store carbon dioxide underground, neo-fossil grows its carbon-chomping materials in large fermenters – similar to brewing beer – using existing infrastructure.

Co-founder & COO Bethany explains:

“Our solution is designed to be scalable and flexible by working alongside other carbon removal technologies like direct air capture or industrial manufacturing – such as at concrete plants – enabling durable, on-site carbon storage and supplying a steady stream of sustainable biomaterials that have been made from carbon in the air!”

neo-fossil’s flexible, integrated model offers a practical and powerful path forward for mitigating climate change. It’s not just about permanently capturing atmospheric greenhouse gases – it’s about building the future with it.