Technologies

A flexible technology platform to meet your performance and net zero targets.

Our Commitment

At GranBio, community is not a checkbox. It is our purpose and our promise to stand alongside the people we serve.

About us

Building a legacy, together.

Creating positive, lasting impact

Who We Are

A pioneer in cellulosic biochemicals

GranBio is biotech company, pioneer in transforming cellulosic biomass into high-value chemical intermediates and biofuels. We were amongst the first to crack the code for cellulosic potential with over 10,000 hours of operation that prove our technology's efficacy in turning a wide range of biomass - including forest, agricultural and sugarcane residues - into biomaterials that help decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors and revitalize rural economies.

Founded in 2011, we create, develop, demonstrate and license state-of-the-art biotechnologies, with an option of EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction), in alliance with strategic partners. In addition, we have experience operating integrated biorefineries in Brazil and in the U.S. to produce net-zero products such as advanced ethanol, SAF, nanocellulose and other biochemicals, using sustainably sourced, local biomass.

At-a-glance

Dual heritage

GranBio was founded in Brazil in 2011 by the Gradin family, as part of the Gran Group. In 2019, GranBio acquired AVAPCO, along with its Thomaston, GA refinery

Leader in Innovation

GranBio has over 400 patents, granted and pending, in the bioeconomy field, with licensing value of $2 billion.

Trusted by the DOE

$110MM of federal grants awarded to AVAPCO, a GranBio company, by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Forest Service demonstrate trust in our technology and business model

Investing in the Future

Over $500MM investment made over 14 years in cellulosic biofuels, biochemicals and biomaterials.

Purpose

Our mission, vision and values

Our mission is to create positive, lasting impact through innovative cellulosic biotechnologies that help reduce carbon emissions and enable local
communities to prosper. Our vision is to be the world leader in cellulosic biomass innovation. Guided by our values of Integrity, Inclusion, Innovation,
Responsibility
and Perseverance, we will be relentless in our work to fulfil our mission and build a legacy we can be proud of.

Bernardo Gradin
The goal was to create a company that would have a global impact and contribute both to a cleaner future and an original entrepreneurial DNA of innovation and technology.
Bernardo Gradin

Founder, GranBio

Our Journey

Making an IMPACT since 2011

A journey through time

The first ideas about GranBio’s business plan were born in a cafeteria at Unicamp University in 2011. Unicamp is one of the most innovative institutions in Brazil, with which GranBio regularly collaborates on research and social projects. Since its inception, GranBio had collaboration at its heart, designed to be part of a seamless and prosperous ecosystem.

The original sketch (in portuguese) was drawn on a paper napkin at Unicamp University in 2011
  1. AVAP Technology proof of concept, GA Tech

    year
    • 1st AVAP patent
    • GranBio Founded
    year
    • Thomaston Biorefinery Start- Up
    • 1st GP+ patent
    year
  2. GranBio acquires 25% of API Inc.

    year
    • Nano and GP+ start-up
    • 1st nano patents
    • DOE AVAP Award for Biochemicals
    • GranBio Registers 1st Energy Cane Variety
    year
  3. GranBio acquires 50% of API Inc.

    year
  4. DOE AVAP Award for SAF

    year
    • 100th patent granted
    • GranBio acquires 100% of API Inc.
    year
    • DOE AVAP Award for Biomass Sugars
    year
    • 200th patent granted
    • Energy Cane business sold to NuSeed
    year
  5. GranBio’s IP Valued at $2 billion

    year
  6. Scale-up: 10 plants & 1 billion gallons/year SAF

    year
Leadership

Meet GranBio's Leadership Team

Bernardo Gradin

Bernardo Gradin

Founder & Chairman

Gradin founded GranBio in 2011 and serves as Chairman. He brings decades of leadership across engineering, petrochemicals, and industrial development. Gradin serves on the Board of GranInvestimentos Group and is a member of the superior council for innovation and competitiveness at FIESP.

Luiz Oliveira

Luiz Oliveira

Chief Executive Officer

Oliveira currently serves as CEO of GranBio. His career spans 40 years in Fortune 300 companies with a proven track record in leading P&L operations and global functions across diverse international markets.

Kim Nelson

Kim Nelson

Chief Technology Officer

Dr. Nelson joined GranBio in 2007 and currently serves as CTO. She brings more than 20 years of experience in biorefinery, nanocellulose, and product development, and has led innovations resulting in more than 20 patents granted and 50 pending.

Guilherme Refinetti

Guilherme Refinetti

Corporate Chief Financial Officer

Refinetti joined GranBio in 2011 and serves as Corporate CFO. He has over 20 years of experience in finance, having worked in leading companies in the oil & gas and pulp & paper industries. Refinetti has held multiple leadership roles across the GranBio Group, guiding financial strategy and supporting the company’s growth.

Adam Mathis

Adam Mathis

Chief Financial Officer North America (fractional)

Mathis joined GranBio as CFO in 2025, bringing extensive experience in finance and operations for high‑growth companies in bioproducts, pharma, and healthcare. He has successfully guided major capital events and acquisition processes.

Linda Moore

Linda Moore

Vice-President Commercial & BD North America

Moore joined GranBio in 2025 and serves as VP of Commercial and Business Development for North America. She brings over 40 years of Fortune 300 experience in operations, sales, and commercial leadership, driving customer growth and long‑term contract negotiations.

Francisco Vassellucci

Francisco Vassellucci

Vice-President Commercial Latin America

Vassellucci serves as VP Commercial Latin America. He brings more than 25 years of experience in the commodities, food, and bioenergy industries. Vassellucci specializes in commercial strategy across trading, supply, market intelligence, and logistics.

Ryan Zebroski

Ryan Zebroski

Engineering and R&D Director

Zebroski serves as Engineering and R&D Director since 2014 and has extensive experience in process & technology development, engineering, and operations within the biochemical and pulp & paper industries. He has led major initiatives in R&D and technology scale‑up.

Rita Rodrigues

Rita Rodrigues

Marketing & Communications Director

Rodrigues serves as Global Director of Marketing and Communications since 2025. She brings two decades of international experience with Fortune 500 and consulting firms leading initiatives that strengthen corporate reputation and support commercial growth.

Ryan O’Connor

Ryan O’Connor

Intellectual Property Counsel

Dr. O’Connor joined GranBio in 2017 and serves as IP Counsel. He has more than 25 years of experience in IP strategy, valuation, and monetization for multiple advanced bioenergy and technology companies, with a portfolio totaling more than 400 granted and pending patents.

Nathalia Fukuchi

Nathalia Fukuchi

Legal, Compliance and HR Director

Fukuchi joined GranBio in 2025 and serves as Legal, Compliance, and HR Director. She brings over 20 years of experience in governance, compliance, and international contracting, aligning legal and HR strategies to support business objectives.

Governance

Our public commitment to ethics and integrity

Integrity is one of our founding values. We are committed to conducting business ethically and in compliance with applicable laws in all countries where we operate. Our Ethics Team and Committee ensure all employees are trained in our Ethics & Compliance policy and guidelines and foster open, transparent dialogue with all stakeholders.

All GranBio employees live by these principles:

  • We treat all people with trust and respect.
  • Our conduct is ethical, honest, and transparent.
  • Innovation is pursued with purpose, for the common good.
  • Merit is recognized and valued.
  • We lead by example.
  • What is right matters more than who is right.
  • We are passionate for the work we do.
Learn more
Technology Portfolio

Intellectual Property

Our drive for innovation is well reflected in our robust Intellectual Property portfolio, with more than 60 patent families and over 400 patents granted and pending. These span the entire process from biomass processing to end-use for biofuels, biochemicals and biomaterials. Our global IP coverage includes the US, Europe (30+ countries), Brazil, Canada, China, India, Malaysia, and others.

Patents Granted

250+

Patents Pending

150+

Trade Secrets

  • 400+ invention disclosures
  • Proprietary methodologies
  • Know-How and Know-How-Not

Freedom-to-Operate

Third-party analysis found no FTO concerns for core technologies