Fossil fuels are commonly known to power cars, provide heat, and keep the lights on, but they are used for far more. They are, in fact, woven into almost every facet of everyday life. Petrochemicals can be found in products as varied as fabrics, cosmetics, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, and more. This ubiquitousness comes with consequences: In the United States alone, chemical production directly emits 180 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents per year, according to the World Resources Institute.
Spero Renewables is tackling the problem by developing sustainable, plant-based alternatives to products manufactured with petrochemicals. Its mission is to enhance the quality of life and the environment by providing renewable, cost-effective substitutes for petrochemicals. Spero was founded in 2018 by UC Santa Barbara Professor Mahdi Abu-Omar, and, since its founding, it has used its patented extractive and separations technology to convert abundant and readily available biomass into natural and environmentally friendly products. Spero’s current offerings range from plastics and polymers to food flavorings.
The company’s core technology is SPERLU™, which stands for Selective Process for Efficient Removal of Lignin and Upgrading. This technology selectively breaks down and purifies lignin, creating sustainable feedstocks for plastics. The SPERLU process converts lignin, a readily available non-food biomass, into a variety of biophenols that can be used to make a direct replacement for petroleum-based bisphenol A (BPA) in the synthesis of epoxies and other thermoset plastics.
Spero is also working on the cutting edge of sustainable polymers. Its SperoSet™ technology produces fully recyclable thermoset polymers, overcoming the limitations of conventional polymers. Spero’s thermoset polymers can be based on SPERLU renewable biophenols or conventional petroleum-based feedstocks, and they can even be recycled, enabling the zero-waste manufacture of high-tech plastics produced from fiber reinforced polymers. The resulting product reduces cost and environmental impacts.
On the other end of the spectrum, the company has developed a natural vanillin flavor from non-GMO corn fiber. Spero’s techniques allow the flavoring to be made directly from corn using the ferulic acid bioconversion method, rather than using rice (a current primary source of natural vanillin). Using corn, allows ingredients to be sourced in the United States, offering greater supply and price stability. The company began distributing samples in 2023.
There are big things on the horizon for this innovative company. In November 2025, Spero was selected to join Shell’s GameChanger program, a global accelerator for early-stage energy innovation. The partnership will offer support and development for the SPERLU technology.