White biotechnology: Basic guide to industrial biotechnology, applications and future
White biotechnology, also known as industrial biotechnology, is one of the main branches of modern biotechnology. Its focus is on using living organisms and their enzymes to improve manufacturing processes and develop industrial products in a more sustainable and efficient way.
From the production of biofuels to the creation of biodegradable plastics, white biotechnology plays a key role in the transformation of traditional industries toward cleaner and more environmentally friendly models. Below, we offer a complete guide to what this term means, how it differs from other areas of biotechnology, its main applications, industrial examples, and its future outlook.
What is white biotechnology?
White biotechnology is the branch of biotechnology dedicated to optimizing industrial processes, replacing polluting chemical methods with cleaner and more environmentally friendly biological processes.
In essence, it involves applying biology (for example, bacteria, fungi, yeasts, or enzymes derived from them) in industrial environments to produce goods and services more efficiently and sustainably than with conventional technology. For this reason, it is also called industrial biotechnology.
To put it simply: it is about taking advantage of the “help” of microbes and enzymes in factories and production processes. For example, instead of using chemical reactions at high temperature and pressure (which consume a lot of energy), white biotechnology uses microorganisms that work at room temperature to obtain the same product. This means lowering energy costs and reducing pollution. In addition, the resulting products are often biodegradable or easier to recycle, which benefits the planet.
What exactly does the term white biotechnology mean?
It is a color-based designation used to classify the different application areas of biotechnology. In this case, “white” simply identifies the industrial sector, just as “red” is associated with the medical and healthcare field or “green” with the agricultural and environmental sphere. The color white also symbolizes the idea of clean processes (with less pollution), since one of the central objectives of this discipline is to ensure that industry uses methods that are less harmful to the environment.
In summary, when we talk about white biotechnology we are referring to the use of living organisms or biological compounds to manufacture industrial products (chemicals, materials, energy, etc.) in an eco-friendlier way, with lower energy consumption and generating less waste than traditional industry.
Types of biotechnology: red, green, white, blue, gray and black
Biotechnology is a very broad field, so it is often classified by colors according to its area of application. Each “color” represents a different domain, although all share the scientific basis of manipulating living organisms or their components for a useful purpose.
It should be noted that this color classification is a didactic way of grouping areas of biotechnology according to their field of application. In practice, they all share similar methodologies (use of cells, DNA, enzymes, etc.); what changes is the objective or sector where that knowledge is applied. For example, both red and white biotechnology can use genetic engineering techniques, except that red aims to cure diseases while white aims to manufacture, let’s say, a bioplastic. With this understood, let’s delve deeper into white biotechnology and its specific applications.
For more information, you can visit our blog where we talk about all the types of biotechnology.
Main applications of white biotechnology
White biotechnology has an increasingly significant impact on multiple industrial sectors. Its applications range from the production of renewable fuels to food processing, as well as the manufacture of biodegradable materials and waste treatment. In all cases, the common thread is using biological processes to achieve industrial results in a cleaner and more efficient way than traditional techniques.
As can be seen, white biotechnology has a very broad field of action, but it stands out especially in the chemical, food, and energy sectors. These three areas concentrate much of the innovation in industrial biotechnology and exemplify how this discipline is transforming conventional processes. Below, we will look at notable examples in each area:
Chemical and materials industry
White biotechnology is applied in the manufacture of chemical products in a more sustainable way. A clear example is the development of bioplastics: plastics made from renewable raw materials (such as corn starch or sugarcane) instead of petroleum. These biopolymers are biodegradable, thus reducing persistent plastic waste. Also in the chemical industry, many companies use microorganisms to synthesize compounds that previously required petrochemical processes. For example, citric acid (a widely used additive) can be produced through fermentation with Aspergillus fungi instead of chemical processes.
Another application is the manufacture of industrial enzymes: the traditional chemical industry has incorporated enzymes into production processes for paper, textiles, leather, etc., achieving lower temperatures and fewer aggressive chemicals. A famous case is the manufacture of enzyme-based detergents: thanks to enzymes such as proteases or lipases, detergents can remove stains at low temperatures and without phosphates, reducing energy consumption and water pollution. Large industrial biotechnology companies, such as Novozymes (a world leader in enzymes), supply these biocatalysts to detergent manufacturers and other producers, demonstrating the close collaboration between biology and industrial chemistry in white biotechnology.
Food industry
Although there is the so-called yellow biotechnology (focused on food), in practice many food applications can be considered part of white biotechnology due to their industrial scale. One example is fermentation to produce bread, beer, wine, cheese, and other foods, classic biotechnological processes where yeasts or bacteria generate the desired product. Today, thanks to industrial biotechnology, these fermentations have been optimized to make them more efficient and safer. In addition, improved foods are created, for example by using enzymes to clarify juices or improve baking.
White biotechnology also makes it possible to obtain food additives biologically; one case is the production of amino acids such as lysine in large fermenters with bacteria, which are then added as supplements in animal feed or foods. Even the production of probiotics (beneficial microorganisms added to yogurts or other products) is part of this field. Several companies in the food sector have incorporated white bioprocesses; for example, dairy factories using specific bacteria to produce zero-calorie sweeteners from glucose, or breweries implementing new modified yeast strains to improve flavors. In summary, white biotechnology has revolutionized the production of processed foods, making them more natural in the way they are obtained and enhancing sustainability (less waste and fewer chemicals) in the food industry.
Energy industry
An area of great interest is the generation of renewable energy from biomass through biotechnology. Here we are talking mainly about biofuels. White biotechnology has made it possible to produce ethanol, biodiesel, and other renewable fuels using microorganisms that ferment organic material. For example, sugarcane, corn, or even agricultural waste can be used so that specialized yeasts ferment the sugars and produce ethanol (alcohol) in large bioprocess tanks. That ethanol is then used as fuel (alone or blended with gasoline), reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Research is also being carried out on biodiesel production using microalgae: certain algae cultivated in bioreactors accumulate oils that can later be refined into diesel fuel. This aligns with circular economy strategies, making use of organic waste and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A notable achievement cited in the European Union was the genetic modification of the bacterium Escherichia coli to convert plant waste into propane, a combustible gas. Energy companies and bioenergy startups are investing in these technologies; for example, in Spain companies such as Repsol have explored the production of advanced biofuels from urban waste through biotechnological processes. The ultimate goal is for industrial biotechnology to provide clean alternatives to gasoline and other fuels, contributing to more sustainable transportation.
Waste treatment and the environment
Many applications of white biotechnology aim for industrial processes to generate less waste or even to transform waste into useful products. For example, some factory wastewater can be treated using bacteria that degrade pollutants, instead of relying solely on costly chemical treatments. In the paper industry, instead of using chlorine to bleach pulp (which produces toxic compounds), enzymes (xylanases) can be used to help remove lignin from wood in a cleaner way. This not only avoids toxins but also saves energy in the process.
Another example: the production of biogas (a mixture of methane and CO₂) from urban organic waste or manure, through anaerobic digestion carried out by bacterial consortia, is an application of white biotechnology with a double benefit: waste management and the generation of renewable energy (biogas that can be used for electricity or heat). Although this area overlaps with “gray biotechnology” (environmental), here the focus is on industries integrating biotechnological solutions to minimize their environmental footprint. In summary, white biotechnology not only creates new products but also makes the processes to manufacture them cleaner, reducing waste and making it easier to comply with environmental regulations.
As we can see, applications are very diverse. New innovations arise every day: construction materials made with fungi, vegan leathers produced by fermentation, textiles made with fibers derived from bacteria, among others. This has led companies from various sectors (chemicals, energy, food, textiles, etc.) to collaborate with biotechnologists to incorporate these solutions. The detergent industry, for example, has been working for years with biotechnology companies to formulate more efficient and greener products using enzymes. Similarly, in the plastics sector, global initiatives are developing biodegradable polymers for packaging with microbes instead of petroleum. In short, white biotechnology is present in many everyday products and industrial processes, even if we do not notice it at first glance, and it is a driving force of the so-called modern bioeconomy.
Future prospects of white biotechnology and sustainability
White biotechnology is emerging as a key component for achieving a sustainable industrial future. In today’s context of climate change, the plastic waste crisis, and the need for clean energy, this branch of science provides concrete tools to tackle these challenges. For example, replacing conventional plastics with biodegradable bioplastics can significantly reduce plastic pollution in oceans and soils. Likewise, biofuels and other biomass-derived products can reduce CO₂ emissions by decreasing the burning of fossil fuels.
The future prospects of white biotechnology are very promising. Thanks to advances in molecular biology, genetic engineering, and technologies such as gene editing (CRISPR), tailor-made microorganisms are being developed for specific industrial tasks. Imagine bacteria capable of producing compounds that are difficult to obtain today, or ultra-specialized enzymes that convert waste into valuable materials. This is already underway in biotechnology laboratories and startups around the world. One possible future is the consolidation of the biorefinery: factories of the future where, instead of petroleum, the raw material is renewable biomass (organic waste, non-food crops), and a series of biotechnological processes transform it into a wide range of products (fuels, plastics, animal feed, industrial chemicals, etc.). This would advance toward a circular and decarbonized economy, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Various countries and companies are investing in industrial biotech R&D because they recognize its strategic importance. The European Union, for example, has funded numerous white biotechnology projects in areas such as bioplastics and bioenergy. Large chemical companies (BASF, DuPont, DSM, among others) have created biotechnology divisions or partnered with startups to avoid falling behind in this industrial revolution. Likewise, in the energy sector, oil and electricity companies are exploring how biotechnology can contribute to the production of alternative fuels and carbon capture (through microalgae, for example).
From a sustainability perspective, white biotechnology offers three key advantages for the planet: first, it uses natural raw materials (often by-products or residues from other industries), which reduces pressure on non-renewable resources. Second, it operates under moderate temperature and pressure conditions (microbes work under normal conditions), reducing energy consumption and associated pollution. Third, it generates organic waste that is easy to treat or biodegradable, closing the product life cycle with lower environmental impact. These advantages explain why many consider it a pioneering and fundamental technology for the society of the future, an ally to achieve industrial development in harmony with the environment.
Of course, there are also challenges and future considerations. Among them are ensuring that the use of genetically modified organisms in factories is safe (avoiding accidental releases into the ecosystem), and ensuring that the benefits of these technologies are distributed widely and do not remain only in the hands of a few large companies. Regulation and ethics will play an important role as industrial biotechnology continues to grow, to ensure that it is applied responsibly.
In conclusion, white biotechnology is already changing the way we produce many goods, making them greener without sacrificing efficiency or profitability. It is biology’s response to long-standing industrial problems: pollution, high energy costs, dependence on petroleum, etc. For everyone, understanding white biotechnology means envisioning a future where factories look more like microbe farms than smoking refineries. With current knowledge and advances, and with global awareness around sustainability, it is very likely that we will see an accelerated expansion of these white technologies in the coming years. The industrial bio-revolution is already underway, and white biotechnology is one of its main standard-bearers for building a cleaner planet and more sustainable economic development.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
White biotechnology (industrial biotechnology) applies microbes, enzymes, and bioprocesses to make industrial products and processes more efficient and sustainable compared with conventional chemistry.
Key applications include bioplastics and bio-based materials, enzyme-enabled manufacturing (paper, textiles, detergents), biofuels and bioenergy, food and beverage fermentations, and waste valorization and treatment.
Examples include PLA and PHA bioplastics, enzyme detergents, citric acid via fermentation, bioethanol and biodiesel, biodegradable solvents, zero-calorie sweeteners from fermentation, and biogas from organic waste.
A common grouping mentions red (healthcare), green (agriculture), white (industry), and blue (marine). Other schemes also include gray (environment/biosafety), yellow (food), and more.
Core tools include microbial fermentation, enzyme discovery and engineering, metabolic and genetic engineering (e.g., CRISPR), biocatalysis, cell factories, and scalable bioprocessing in bioreactors.
It uses renewable feedstocks, operates at lower temperatures and pressures, reduces hazardous chemicals, enables biodegradable outputs, and turns industrial and agricultural waste into valuable products.
Gray biotechnology is linked to environmental protection and biosafety (e.g., bioremediation, risk management). White biotechnology focuses on industrial manufacturing and efficiency, though both can overlap.
Examples include enzyme and industrial biotech players such as Novozymes/Novonesis, DSM-Firmenich (industrial biosciences), DuPont/Corteva legacy units, BASF (biotech collaborations), and numerous bioenergy and materials startups.
Typical inputs are sugars and starches (e.g., corn, sugarcane), cellulosic biomass, plant oils, glycerol, organic waste streams, and, increasingly, gases or captured CO₂ for next-gen processes.
Key challenges include cost-competitive scaling versus petrochemistry, feedstock availability, process yield and robustness, regulatory compliance for GMOs, and building circular supply chains.
It covers bioethanol, biodiesel, biogas/biomethane, sustainable aviation fuels from biomass routes, and emerging microbial conversions that valorize waste streams into fuels and power.
References
- (n.d.). White biotechnology (section 4.1, Biotechnology and environment).
- Universidad ORT Uruguay. (n.d.). Uses and applications of biotechnology today. ORT Engineering Blog.
- (2024, March 4). From biofuels to bioplastics: How much do we owe to industrial or white biotechnology? BBVA News.
- European Institute of Chemistry, Physics and Biology (IEQFB). (2023, June 13). What is white biotechnology and what is it for? [Blog post]. IEQFB Blog.
- Iberdrola. (n.d.). What is biotechnology? Types and applications. Iberdrola.com.
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This article was reviewed and published by TECNIC Bioprocess Solutions, specialists in bioprocess equipment and innovation for industrial biotechnology and sustainable solutions.
