Bio-based materials to attract 28% more investment

New Orleans – Bio-based materials and chemicals are set to attract an estimated $974 million in investments in 2014, representing a 28-percent increase from 2013, according to a report from Lux Research.

Funding is on the rise as the maturing industry sees more and more large-growth-stage investments, the market analysis firm added in a release to highlight the Next Generation Bio-Based & Sustainable Chemicals Summit, 3-5 Feb in New Orleans.

"Over the last two years, funding for bio-based materials and chemicals has shifted decisively toward later-stage rounds, reflecting the growing maturing of the industry and the shift from R&D to production," said Meraldo Antonio, Lux Research Associate.

"Participation of corporate investors has also increased," he added, "suggesting that large multinationals in many industries see bio-based materials as strategically important."

Lux research analyst Julia Allen will be a featured speakers at the Next Generation Bio-Based & Sustainable Chemicals Summit, which is billed as a global launch platform for the chemicals and materials of the future.