In 1992, Anna University, Chennai, introduced a pioneering undergraduate course in industrial biotechnology, with its syllabus crafted by Professor Kunthala Jayaraman, hailed as the ‘mother of Industrial Biotechnology Education’.

One among its many students was Dr Ezhil Subbian, whose innovative startup, String Bio, now converts methane into sustainable agricultural products.

Founded in Bengaluru in 2013, String Bio leverages biotechnology to solve the pressing issue of methane emissions. Its patent-protected platform, the String Integrated Methane Platform (SIMP), transforms methane into eco-friendly products.

Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, accounts for 30% of global temperature rise. String Bio’s technology repurposes this gas into value-added products, addressing environmental and agricultural challenges simultaneously.

Dr Subbian explains, “Our methane fermentation process is like brewing beer — except methane, not barley, serves as the carbon source. This enables the production of proteins and other sustainable products.”

String Bio’s first product, launched in 2019, was an organic protein supplement for fish. Today, the company provides innovative biostimulants for farmers, benefiting over 1,000 individuals across India.

Their flagship products, Impakt and CleanRise, enhance crop yields, improve nutrient use, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In rice, CleanRise has shown a 33% yield increase while reducing methane emissions by up to 60%.

Impakt nourishes plants, improving growth and fruit retention. CleanRise promotes efficient fertiliser use and healthier crops. Farmers see profits of Rs 20,000 to Rs 45,000 per hectare using these biostimulants.

One farmer shares, “Using String’s products increased my marigold yield by 20–30%. Earlier, I harvested 5 kg per crop; now it’s 7 kg.” Grape farmers have also noted better yield and quality.

String Bio also addresses animal nutrition. Their product, PRO-DG, offers a sustainable alternative to fishmeal and soybean, reducing environmental harm while ensuring quality and traceability.

The startup’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. From bootstrapping its early years to perfecting SIMP over five years, String Bio’s success is built on relentless innovation and adaptability.

The company operates a state-of-the-art gas fermentation facility in Bengaluru, capable of using methane from both natural gas and biogas, paving the way for scalable, sustainable manufacturing.

String Bio has secured $20 million in Series B funding from global investors and holds 15 patents. They are setting up a commercial-scale facility in Bengaluru to expand their impact further.