Mi Terro uses a selection of biopolymers and natural fibers with the aim to maximize the use of side streams, second generation (non-food feedstock) and certified biomasses. For example, the beer waste we use originates from industrial side streams from sustainably managed brewery and constitutes a large share of the total composition of many of our materials. We pay attention to that the biomasses the biopolymers originate from are sustainably grown according to good land use principles.

We are not turning agricultural waste into beverage or snack like other companies. Instead, we use A.I. to re-engineer protein compounds in low-value wastes and replace single-use plastic and paper materials while giving additional incomes to farmers all around the world.

Unlike current alternatives to microplastics, which are based on plant polysaccharides, such as cellulose and algae, Mi Terro’s plant protein materials do not rely on chemical cross-linking for their performance. This enables them to decompose quickly and completely in the natural environment. Our proprietary technology re-engineers agricultural waste into plastic-alternative biomaterials. Our biomaterial is USDA Bio-based Certified, is 20-40% cheaper than other bio-based and fossil-based feedstocks at pilot level, home compostable, ocean degradable, heat sealable, excellent water and oxygen barrier, low thickness, and potentially edible.

Our researchers successfully modified the peptide bond structures found on spent grain protein. Because all proteins are made of polypeptide chains, under the right conditions we can cause plant proteins to self-assemble just like spider silk and form strong biomaterials.

Proteins have a propensity for molecular self-organization and self-assembly, and plant proteins are abundant and can be sourced sustainably as by-products of the food industry.

There are some advantages of proteins, such as relative abundance, good film-forming ability, high nutritional value, and so on, which make proteins be used extensively for preparing biodegradable films. Compared to polysaccharides and lipids, protein-based polymers are the most useful, because of the excellent gas barrier properties. 

Besides, the mechanical properties of protein-based films are also better than those of polysaccharide-based and lipid-based films.

In a way, we’ve come up with ‘vegan spider silk’ – we’ve created the same material without the spider.