Eight biotech startups in Ontario have been selected for the latest cohort of the BioCreate accelerator, an initiative run by Ontario Genomics to support innovations ranging from disease detection to sustainable materials.
Among them is Launch Bioindustries, a Toronto-based company developing fully compostable bioplastics using fermentation. Its process converts waste streams from dairy processing, food production, and pharmaceutical manufacturing into valuable materials.
The approach addresses two major challenges at once: reducing plastic pollution and finding productive uses for organic industrial waste. By transforming byproducts such as excess whey, lactose, and other residues into higher-value outputs, the technology helps cut down both waste and reliance on conventional plastics.
“We’re tackling two issues simultaneously—plastic pollution and surplus organic waste from industries like dairy,” said founder Andrew Chiappetta. “Our goal is to connect these problems by turning waste into something useful.”
The company uses engineered bacteria to produce PHA bioplastics, a class of materials that perform similarly to traditional plastics during manufacturing but naturally break down in compost, soil, or even marine environments. Unlike petroleum-based plastics that persist for decades, these materials can degrade in a matter of weeks under the right conditions.
This innovation could be particularly impactful in agriculture, where single-use plastics such as mulch films and bale wraps are widely used but difficult to recycle. Compostable alternatives made from PHA bioplastics offer a more sustainable solution for the sector.