# Lab-Grown Palm Oils Eco-Friendly Tech Startup C16 Biosciences Launched a Palm Oil Alternative By Grace Mahas | Published 2019-08-05 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/c16-biosciences References: [vegnews](https://vegnews.com/2019/7/technology-startup-creates-lab-grown-palm-oil) & [c16bio](https://www.c16bio.com/) With the mounting concern over deforestation that palm oil causes, many consumers may now opt for C16 Biosciences [lab-grown palm oil alternative](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/labmade-milk-proteins). The palm oil industry has been estimated to be worth upwards of $88 billion USD and the product is used in the production of food, clothing, cosmetics, shampoos, and fuel. Thanks to synthetic biology, C16 Biosciencses was able to develop an environmentally-friendly, sustainable alternative to traditional palm oil. To create it, the startup uses yeast that is grown in tap water that eats feedstock and a carbon source to multiply. C16 Biosciences’ website states: “We believe that brewing palm oil like beer is the best and most likely path to developing a truly sustainable palm oil alternative.” The company plans to launch in the [skincare and cosmetic industry](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/avant) and eventually expand into the [food and clothing industry](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nextgeneration-plantbased-butter). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.6/10 - Popularity: 54% | Activity: 75% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Social Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialbusiness) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Lab-grown Alternatives:** The trend of lab-grown palm oil alternatives presents an opportunity for companies in other industries to develop eco-friendly, sustainable alternatives. - **Synthetic Biology:** The use of synthetic biology in creating lab-grown palm oil alternatives opens up disruptive innovation opportunities in other industries where environmentally-friendly alternatives are needed. - **Sustainable Ingredients:** The shift towards sustainable ingredients in the palm oil industry presents an opportunity for other industries to follow suit and develop innovative solutions to other environmental issues. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Skincare and Cosmetics:** The skincare and cosmetics industry can benefit from using the eco-friendly, lab-grown palm oil alternative as a selling point for environmentally-conscious consumers. - **Food:** The food industry can explore the use of lab-grown palm oil as a sustainable and eco-friendly ingredient in their products. - **Clothing and Textiles:** The clothing and textile industry can incorporate the use of lab-grown palm oil alternative into their production processes as part of their sustainability efforts. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Alternative Cooking Oil Startups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nopalm-ingredients.md) - [Anti-Deforestation Cosmetics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/save-the-fing-rainforest-nourishing-oil.md) - [Sustainable Alt Chocolates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seminal-biosciences.md) - [Cell-Cultured Cocoa Butters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chocolate-grade-cocoa-butter.md) - [Cultivated Fish Fats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cultivated-fish-fat.md) - [Sustainable Avocado Alternatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/avocado-alternative.md) - [Cell-Cultured Coffee Startups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/startup-stem.md) - [Cell-Cultured Milk Beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/opalia.md) - [Carbon-Made Butters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/savor-butter.md)