altM Bio-Based Materials from Agri-Residue

altM is an alternate materials company in Bengaluru, India, that converts waste biomass, agri-residue and industrial bio-residue into chemicals and materials. Its aim is to supply low-carbon inputs to industrial supply chains in place of petrochemical ones.

Product lines include cellulose-based rheology modifiers, formaldehyde-free lignin wood adhesives, lignin-based UV blockers, thermoset binders, silica and cellulosic pulp, made from feedstocks such as rice straw, wheat straw and sugarcane bagasse. In February 2026 altM launched an integrated biorefinery pilot plant in Bengaluru with 15 to 50 tons per year capacity, and plans a 1,500 to 2,000 ton per year commercial plant for 2027.

• Rheology modifier: cellulose-based additive for cosmetics and coatings.
• Lignin adhesive: formaldehyde-free binder for wood products.
• Lignin UV blocker: bio-based UV protection ingredient.
• Integrated biorefinery: pilot plant converting agri-residue to several outputs.
• Binders and pulp: thermoset binders, silica and cellulosic pulp lines.

Vietnamese furniture and wood panel makers could trial formaldehyde-free adhesives. Cosmetics and coatings formulators could test cellulose rheology modifiers. Agri-processors could explore residue conversion partnerships.

Materials are made from agricultural residue rather than fossil feedstock, supporting lower-carbon product lines. The lignin wood adhesive is stated to be 100% formaldehyde-free. One process yields several outputs from the same biomass. Pilot capacity allows customer trials before commercial plant start in 2027.

Industrial buyers look for bio-based alternatives to petrochemical inputs as carbon reporting spreads. Vietnam produces large volumes of rice straw and bagasse, so agri-residue-based materials and wood adhesives are relevant to local furniture and cosmetics supply chains.

Bengaluru, India. Seed round of USD 3.5 million led by Omnivore in August 2023, with grants from BII and ACT. Pilot biorefinery launched February 2026.