US-based science and material innovation company Zymergen is launching Hyaline, a sustainable new film for electronics applications. This bio-manufactured product can be used in flexible circuits, display touch sensors, printable electronics and optical filters, and by merging the benefits of advanced bio-fabrication with traditionally generated materials, the new Hyaline film paves the way for more sustainable, biologically-produced devices.

This is the first product co-created by both Zymergen and development partner Sumitomo Chemical, and Zymergen’s first standalone product to be sold commercially.

“Sumitomo Chemical has been looking for a partner to expand the portfolio of films for the electronics space that meet the latest and future requirements of our customers,” said Isao Kurimoto, Executive Officer of Sumitomo Chemical. “We are very happy to leverage the bioengineering capabilities from Zymergen to develop new products.”

Using machine learning, automation and its powerful technology platform, Zymergen’s revolutionary process produces better performing materials in a way that is both less expensive and more sustainable, representing the potential to disrupt entire markets and categories.

“We believe that our biological innovation will have a transformative effect on people’s welfare: improving the objects that surround them, the products they consume, the devices they use, and the natural world we all live in,” said Zymergen CEO Josh Hoffman. “For the last hundred years, industries have largely relied on petroleum-based manufacturing, but we’re leading a new wave of innovation by reimagining how materials are produced through biology. Today we’re not just announcing new materials – we are making a promise that in 2020 consumers will begin to see, touch and use new products inspired by nature.”