# Applied Bioplastics

> Applied Bioplastics is an Austin climate-tech manufacturer that blends jute and other plant fiber into everyday plastics, cutting the petrochemical content - and the carbon - without asking factories to buy new machines or customers to pay a premium. Its two products, BioFi pellets and the jute-reinforced BTTR Board, run on existing injection-molding and extrusion lines, and its refugee-housing version has already survived a typhoon in Bangladesh.

- **Founded:** 2018
- **Headquarters:** Austin, Texas, United States
- **Founders:** Alex Blum (CEO & Co-founder (also Chief Impact Officer)), Colin Ardern (Co-founder, President & COO (former CEO)), Dr. Mubarak Ahmed Khan (Chief Scientist (Bangladesh))
- **Team size:** ~15-20 employees
- **Products:** BioFi, BTTR Board / Jutin, BTTR Board refugee housing
- **Notable:** USDA BioPreferred certified (February 2024), SXSW Pitch Winner (2020 and 2021 - Social & Culture award), Verge Category Winner and Startup of the Year (2024)

## Products & services

- **BioFi** — A plant-fiber thermoplastic (PP/PE-based) that blends agricultural fiber with standard, recycled, or biobased polymers. Runs on industry-standard injection-molding and extrusion equipment for household goods, automotive parts, appliances, electronics, and outdoor equipment.
- **BTTR Board / Jutin** — A biothermoset resin composite made from woven jute fiber (sourced and produced in Bangladesh as 'Jutin'). Water-, heat-, and fire-resistant; competes with fiberglass and sheet metal on price and performance for construction, automotive, and aerospace uses.
- **BTTR Board refugee housing** — A hand-buildable jute-composite housing panel system. A ~151 sq ft shelter assembles in about 45 minutes and costs roughly $1,000; deployed in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh and licensed to governments at low cost.

## Achievements

- USDA BioPreferred certified (February 2024)
- SXSW Pitch Winner (2020 and 2021 - Social & Culture award)
- Verge Category Winner and Startup of the Year (2024)
- AdMaCom Grand Prize Winner (2023)
- Rice Alliance Most Promising Company (2022)
- 1,600% year-over-year revenue growth (2024-2025)
- First profitable sale at 16% margin (December 2024)
- Refugee shelters withstood a typhoon in Cox's Bazar with no damage or injuries

## Latest updates

- **2025** — Shipped roughly 200,000 lbs of material and reported 1,600% year-over-year revenue growth.
- **2024-12** — Recorded first profitable sale at a 16% gross margin.
- **2024-02** — Earned USDA BioPreferred certification.
- **2024** — Backed by Capital Factory's All Access Fund; named Verge Category Winner and Startup of the Year.
- **2023-11** — Raised a $250,000 convertible note.

## Links

- Website: https://appliedbioplastics.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/applied-bioplastics
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/applied-bioplastics
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-19