Waste to bioplastic business development initiatives - ON-1184

Project type: Innovation
Desired discipline(s): Engineering - chemical / biological, Engineering, Environmental sciences, Natural Sciences, Business, Social Sciences & Humanities
Company: Launch Bioindustries
Project Length: 4 to 6 months
Preferred start date: 05/01/2026
Language requirement: English
Location(s): ON, Canada
No. of positions: 1
Desired education level: Undergraduate/Bachelor
Open to applicants registered at an institution outside of Canada: No

About the company: 

Launch Bioindustries converts organic waste such as yeast-waste, dairy waste, and food waste into high-performance, compostable bioplastic products using advanced fermentation. We develop bioplastic products for pharmaceutical, food & beverage, dairy, and industrial biotech customers who require sustainable packaging and products without compromising on performance requirements. By upcycling a customer’s waste streams, we reduce raw material costs and carbon footprint while reducing customer waste disposal fees. Our platform enables customers to replace petroleum plastics with circular, waste derived materials at a competitive cost.

Describe the project.: 

This innovation project will support the commercialization of Launch Bioindustries’ waste-to-bioplastic platform by securing new pilot customers and feedstock supply partners. Launch Bioindustries develops compostable bioplastics, particularly polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), by converting industrial organic waste streams such as dairy waste, food processing residues, and fermentation byproducts into high-performance materials for packaging and other applications.

The objective of the project is to develop a business development strategy that enables new pilot projects with industrial partners. These pilots will demonstrate how waste streams can be upcycled into valuable bioplastic products while reducing disposal costs and environmental impact.

The intern will identify and evaluate potential partners across sectors such as food and beverage, dairy processing, and industrial biotechnology. Key tasks include market mapping of waste feedstocks, screening potential customers and suppliers, supporting outreach and partnership discussions, and developing pilot project proposals.

The methodology will combine market research, stakeholder analysis, and techno-economic screening of potential feedstocks, alongside structured business development activities. The expected outcome is a pipeline of pilot customers and feedstock suppliers that will enable Launch Bioindustries to initiate new waste-to-bioplastic demonstration projects and accelerate the adoption of circular biomaterials.

Required expertise/skills: 

The candidate should have a background in biotechnology, chemical engineering, environmental science, business, or a related field. Strong analytical and research skills are required to support market analysis, feedstock evaluation, and identification of potential industry partners.

Key skills include market research, data analysis, stakeholder mapping, and business development support. Experience with industrial biotechnology, waste valorization, or circular economy systems is an asset.