At the heart of Crysalis innovation is our R&D and piloting center in Louisville, Colorado — a one-of-a-kind modular facility built by a team of former NREL scientists and engineers, many of whom spent over a decade advancing world-class renewable technologies. This highly flexible site is purpose-built to de-risk and scale up breakthrough bioprocesses, drawing on deep expertise developed at the nation’s leading energy lab.
Our team continues to collaborate closely with NREL as we pilot ultra-pure, bio-based solvents for pharmaceutical applications and advance the scale-up of Cocura™, our proprietary Sustainable Aviation Fuel technology. This facility isn’t just where we test ideas — it’s where they are brought to life.
Our R&D Center
Bio-based Acetonitrile
Bio-Acetonitrile is the world's first 100% bio-based, ultra-pure acetonitrile, specifically designed for the pharmaceutical and battery industries. Produced through a patent-protected process that combines microbial conversion of ethanol feedstock with chemical catalysis, Bio-Acetonitrile supports the corn ethanol industry of the American Heartland, eliminates hazardous byproducts like HCN, and achieves a ~90% lower carbon footprint compared to fossil-based alternatives.
Verified through GREET 2025 modeling and third-party consultants, our acetonitrile meets oligonucleotide-grade specifications without relying on mass balance accounting tricks. This ensures unmatched purity, safety, and sustainability while bolstering American agriculture and chemical industries.
Cocura SAF
Cocura® Oil is a game-changing biofuel platform that harnesses the power of microbial fermentation to convert low-cost waste sugars and agricultural residues into a drop-in feedstock for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) with up to 90% lower carbon emissions than fossil jet fuel. Compatible with existing HEFA infrastructure, Cocura enables scalable, cost-effective domestic SAF production without reliance on land-intensive vegetable oils. Backed by industry leaders and ready for commercialization, Cocura is the key to unlocking a truly sustainable American aviation future.
At Crysalis, we’ve developed proprietary techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) tools that set a new standard for evaluating and deploying low-carbon manufacturing. Built on deep expertise from our time at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), our platform integrates GREET-based LCA modeling with ASPEN process simulations and real-time plant data. These tools allow us to precisely quantify Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions reductions for any shuttered asset we evaluate — enabling rapid, data-driven decisions on where and how to implement our biomanufacturing technologies. As Crysalis scales, these tools not only guide our own growth but offer a powerful resource for any organization looking to decarbonize legacy infrastructure.
Proprietary LCA & TEA Tools
What’s next?
Our R&D team is continuously expanding the frontier of biomanufacturing. We’re developing new ultra-high purity, bio-based solvents tailored to pharmaceutical needs — building on the global ethanol infrastructure already in place. In parallel, we’re advancing novel Sustainable Aviation Fuel pathways and actively scouting new technologies to power the next generation of Crysalis facilities. As we prepare for Plants 2, 3, and beyond, our goal remains clear: transform dormant industrial assets into cutting-edge biorefineries with uniquely profitable, low-carbon product portfolios. Would you like to join our team? Click here for current job opportunities.