BIOWEG is a German biotechnology company building bio-based alternatives to petroleum-derived ingredients using fermentation and green chemistry. Founded in 2019, the company has gained attention for its work in biodegradable materials and circular manufacturing, particularly its ability to turn industrial waste streams into high-value bio-based products. Recent funding rounds have reinforced BIOWEG’s position as one of Europe’s emerging climate-focused biotech firms.
BIOWEG leadership and management team
BIOWEG was founded by Dr Prateek Mahawar and Srinivas Karuturi, who continue to play a central role in the company’s strategy and technical direction.
Dr Prateek Mahawar, CEO of BIOWEG, has a background in biotechnology and sustainable materials, with experience spanning industrial fermentation, materials science, and scale-up of bio-based processes. As chief executive, he leads BIOWEG’s commercial strategy, partnerships, and long-term vision to replace fossil-based chemicals with renewable, biodegradable alternatives.
Speaking on BIOWEG’s mission, Mahawar has emphasised that sustainability must be economically viable to achieve real impact. He has stated that the company’s goal is not only to reduce environmental harm, but to deliver materials that match or exceed the performance of petrochemical ingredients while remaining cost-competitive at scale.
Srinivas Karuturi, co-founder, brings deep technical expertise in fermentation and molecular engineering. He oversees research and development, ensuring BIOWEG’s technology can be translated from laboratory innovation into industrial production. Together, the founders have built a multidisciplinary team combining biology, chemistry, engineering, and manufacturing experience.
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BIOWEG funding and investment history
BIOWEG’s growth has been supported by multiple funding rounds aimed at moving the company from early research into commercial deployment. In December 2025, BIOWEG raised €1.5 million in fresh funding, as reported by EU-Startups. The investment is being used to advance technologies that convert industrial waste into valuable bio-based materials and recover useful resources from by-products that would otherwise be discarded.
This round builds on earlier investments, including a €16 million Series A announced in 2025, which supported scale-up of BIOWEG’s bio-ingredients platform and the construction of manufacturing capacity in Germany. Across its funding history, BIOWEG has attracted backing from investors focused on sustainable chemistry, climate technology, and industrial innovation.
The combination of early-stage and growth capital has enabled the company to move beyond pilot projects and toward industrial-scale production, a key hurdle for many biotech startups.
What BIOWEG does and why it matters
BIOWEG develops bio-based and biodegradable functional materials designed to replace petroleum-derived ingredients used in a wide range of industrial processes. Its approach combines precision fermentation with green chemistry to produce materials that offer durability, stability, and performance comparable to conventional alternatives.
A key differentiator is BIOWEG’s use of waste and low-value by-products as feedstocks. By turning industrial residues into high-performance materials, the company supports a circular economy model while reducing reliance on fossil resources.
BIOWEG products and applications
BIOWEG’s products include bio-based micropowders and functional additives that can be integrated into existing manufacturing workflows. These materials are designed to be drop-in replacements, allowing customers to improve sustainability without redesigning production lines.
Applications span multiple sectors, including industrial materials, specialty chemicals, and consumer products where biodegradability and environmental impact are increasingly regulated.
BIOWEG technology platform
The company’s technology platform integrates microbial fermentation, downstream processing, and material engineering. By optimising microbial pathways and chemical processing steps, BIOWEG can precisely control material properties such as particle size, stability, and functional performance.
This technological flexibility allows BIOWEG to adapt its materials for different industrial requirements and respond to evolving regulatory and customer demands.
Company background and growth trajectory
Founded in Germany in 2019, BIOWEG originally emerged from work in cellulolytic technologies and has since expanded into a broader bio-materials platform. The company operates from Germany and collaborates with research institutions, industrial partners, and customers across Europe.
With recent funding secured and manufacturing expansion underway, BIOWEG is moving from a development-stage startup to a commercial-scale biotech supplier.
Careers and team expansion
BIOWEG continues to grow its team across R&D, engineering, and operations as it scales production. The company positions itself as a purpose-driven employer focused on climate impact, sustainable manufacturing, and long-term industrial transformation.
Outlook for BIOWEG
As regulatory pressure increases around plastic waste, microplastics, and fossil-based chemicals, BIOWEG is well positioned to benefit from demand for compliant, sustainable alternatives. Backed by experienced leadership and growing investor support, the company aims to become a key supplier of bio-based materials in Europe and beyond.
With its combination of leadership experience, advanced biotechnology, and recent funding momentum, BIOWEG represents a case study in how climate-focused biotech can transition from research to real-world industrial impact.