Bygen

About

Bygen produces activated carbon from nut shells and other agricultural wastes, using them as carbon source and fuel to create PFAS-adsorbing media for water, gold recovery and air filtration.

Mission

Bygen produces activated carbon from agricultural wastes such as almond shells, sawdust, pomace, rice husks and nut shells to filter environmental toxins. Its pilot plant used waste both as a carbon source and as heat for the activation process, with nut shells emerging as a strong feedstock. The company’s process yields activated carbon that enables higher adsorption of PFAS and is applicable to drinking water treatment, gold recovery and air/car cabin filtration. Bygen aims to replace coal-based activation, cutting CO2 emissions, water consumption and production costs. The funds raised will support testing and establishment of a large-scale production plant, with plans to build additional commercial plants in Australia and overseas and create up to 65 jobs in Victoria over five years. Founded in 2018 by Dr Lewis Dunnigan and Ben Morton at the University of Adelaide, Bygen is now headquartered in Melbourne and previously raised $350,000.

Quick Facts