Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental challenges globally, amid the rise in production of disposable plastic products.
Zein, a natural protein derived from corn meal, is emerging as a promising biodegradable alternative. Given that it is renewable and compostable, and possesses natural film-forming properties, it has the potential to substantially reduce plastic pollution worldwide, particularly in the packaging industry.
Pure zein is a biopolymer, which is clear, odourless, tasteless, water-insoluble and edible, and is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the US Food and Drug Administration.
The global zein market was valued at US$825.75 million in 2025 and is projected to reach US$1.95 billion by 2033, with a predicted compound annual growth rate of 11.34% from 2026 to 2033. Food packaging dominates the segment with 42.7% of global revenue.
The challenge for suppliers of packaging material, like zein, is to make an existing natural material commercially usable at scale. If zein is accepted as a mainstream industrial biomaterial, then it represents a practical plant-based alternative for applications for which synthetic polymers are currently used as coatings, binders and encapsulation materials.
Staying ahead of the competition
Producing scalable, reliable and affordable zein is the goal of BioZein Technology, which supplies zein in different grades for food and non-food industrial applications.
Established in 2021 to explore the commercial viability of the biopolymer, the Hong Kong biomaterials and biotech firm is the world’s leading producer of high-purity zein, delivering cost-effective, sustainable solutions for industries worldwide and, in doing so, supporting the global shift toward eco-friendly materials. The firm operates the world’s largest commercial-scale zein production platform in Jinan, China.
“Our family in Hong Kong has over 40 years of experience in botanical extraction and manufacturing in China,” said Anna Rayton, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer.
She stated that her firm’s competitive advantages in promoting zein include proprietary production technology, access to industrial manufacturing, direct sourcing of corn gluten meal, decades of extraction experience, international distribution relationships and a growing network of customers worldwide.
BioZein is engaging with potential customers and development partners across packaging, food, cosmetics and agriculture through technical discussions, sample evaluations and application trials. These include Dior, Shiseido, Kao, Evonik, Mondelēz, Givaudan, Lactalis and Bayer Crop Science, alongside other companies whose identities remain confidential under non-disclosure agreements.
The company combines proprietary ethanol-based extraction technology with industrial-scale manufacturing and regional sourcing of corn gluten meal, a by-product of corn-starch processing. Its process recovers ethanol for reuse and returns the remaining corn material to feed markets.
Together, these capabilities support BioZein’s goal of providing a reliable, scalable supply of high-purity zein while making greater use of existing agricultural resources.
What next?
In June this year, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) selected BioZein as one of the 10 winners of Start-up Express, a long-standing entrepreneurship development programme that has been helping start-ups since 2018 to access new markets and opportunities and accelerate their international expansion.
BioZein has been joining HKTDC activities to make more connections and grow its network. Among them, the company exhibited its innovations in the Belt and Road Summit’s GreenTech Zone in September, which showcased innovations in AI, greentech, proptech, smart city solutions, ESG and more to connect tech firms with investors to facilitate technological and business collaboration.
“As a Hong Kong company looking to build internationally, HKTDC and Start-up Express were a natural fit for us”, remarked Ms Rayton.
She said the programme goes beyond a pitch competition and gives BioZein valuable third-party recognition: “We hope to use the HKTDC network to build new customer and strategic partnerships, particularly across Asia and international markets.”
You will have an opportunity to meet BioZein at our Entrepreneur Day on 19-20 November, in which the start-up will feature as an exhibitor. Apart from our yearly anchor start-up event, BioZein will exhibit in the HKTDC-organised Hong Kong Pavilion at next year’s VivaTech, Europe's biggest tech fair, in Paris on 16-19 June.