From Bacteria to Biopolymer: Why Bacterial Cellulose Matters
When we think of cellulose, we usually imagine the fibrous part of plants—wood, cotton, or paper. But did you know that cellulose does not have to come from plants? Meet bacterial cellulose (BC), a fascinating material that is transforming the way we think about sustainable materials.
Since the foundation of Foamlab, we have discovered the incredible potential of BC, a truly remarkable substance that nature produces in ways far different from traditional cellulose sources like trees. Unlike plant-derived cellulose, which is intertwined with lignin and hemicellulose, bacterial cellulose is the purest form of cellulose. This purity opens doors to applications where precision, performance, and sustainability are essential.
What is Bacterial Cellulose (BC)
Bacterial cellulose (BC) is produced by certain bacteria, for example Komagataeibacter and Gluconacetobacter genera, which consume sugars as food and secrete cellulose outside their cells.
The result is an extremely fine and dense network of fibers that forms naturally, without the need for chemical treatments. This makes BC a renewable, sustainable, and high-performance biopolymer, fundamentally different from fossil-fuel-based plastics. Let’s dive into some of the unique properties of BC.
Built by bacteria, not oil
Each year, millions of tons of plastic are used in packaging, furniture, and construction. Derived from non-renewable fossil fuels and notoriously difficult to recycle, these plastics pose major problems in terms of waste and environmental contamination [1]. In contrast, BC is a natural polymer grown biologically. It relies on renewable feedstocks, including sugar-rich agricultural by-products like sugar beet pulp or grain waste, making it part of a circular and low-impact production cycle. BC demonstrates that materials do not need to harm the planet to perform exceptionally.
Purity
Plant cellulose comes with lignin and hemicellulose, components that must be removed through chemical processing to make cellulose usable for high-performance applications (e.g., pulp bleaching to produce white paper). BC, in contrast, is naturally free of these impurities, resulting in a material that is already clean and ready to use. This purity contributes to its biocompatibility, mechanical strength, and flexibility.
Strength and flexibility
Despite its lightweight feel, BC is a high-performance material. Its nanofiber network gives it a strength-to-weight ratio comparable to synthetic polymers, while remaining flexible and adaptable. BC can be engineered into thin films, gels, composite materials, and foams, making it versatile across industries.
Biocompatibility
BC is extremely well tolerated by human tissue. It is safe, non-toxic, and breathable, which has led to medical applications such as wound dressings, tissue scaffolds, and drug delivery systems. Its natural origin and purity make it ideal for applications that interact directly with the body, while its microbial production process ensures it is also cruelty-free, offering a sustainable alternative to animal-derived options.
Sustainability
Bacterial cellulose is 100% biodegradable [2]. When it reaches the end of its lifecycle, it breaks down naturally into into glucose and other simple compounds, nutrients that can be consumed by microbes and reintegrated into the natural cycle of life. Instead of leaving waste behind, bacterial cellulose supports the natural cycle of life, making it a truly circular and environmentally friendly material.
Where can Bacterial Cellulose be used?
Because of its unique properties, BC opens the door to innovation in multiple industries. From packaging and construction to fashion, electronics, and healthcare, this material provides a way to rethink how we make things without compromising performance. For example, BC has been used in:
Fashion & textiles, as an alternative to leather or coatings
Food, as a thickener
Medical & biotech, in dressings, scaffolds, and drug delivery
Packaging, for sustainable, high-performance, and compostable solutions
These applications demonstrate the versatility of BC. Yet, this is only the beginning.
At Foamlab, we believe that the potential of bacterial cellulose is amplified when it is engineered into foams.
Bacterial Nanocellulose (BNC) Foams
At Foamlab, we focus on engineering Bacterial Nanocellulose (BNC) Foams, transforming the unique properties of bacterial cellulose into high-performance, lightweight, and porous biomaterials. The foaming process creates a three-dimensional nanofiber network that traps air, resulting in excellent thermal insulation, cushioning, and structural properties.
BNC foams combine lightness, strength, and sustainability in a single material. They can be molded into sheets, blocks, or complex shapes, making them ideal for applications in construction, packaging, fashion, and many more. Fully compostable, BNC foams break down into nutrients that feed the ecosystem, providing a true circular-material solution.
For us, bacterial cellulose is a platform for reimagining how we produce, use, and return materials to the planet, showing that the high-performance solutions of tomorrow can come straight from nature.
If you are curious about how our BNC foams can transform your industry, we would love to have an initial chat about potential collaborations.
References
[1] UN Environment Programme. (2018, March). Single-use plastics: A roadmap for sustainability.
[2] Kumar, M., Baiswar, P., Kumar, R., & Verma, A. (2024). Enzymatic degradation of cellulose in soil: A review. Heliyon, 10(1), e24022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24022