About Us

Dr. Christopher Rasmussen is a multi-disciplinary, research-focused leader working in biomaterials for over 10 years. While at DuPont, Chris was a member of Central Research & Development’s core analytical group, where he became an expert in polymer characterization– specifically polymer chromatography and light scattering techniques. He has co-authored two book chapters in this field, and was an invited “expert” at a global conference on related techniques. At DuPont, he developed a passion for biomaterials, contributing critical understanding and methodology to DuPont’s designer polysaccharide project (now IFF’s DEB product line) and ADM/DuPont’s furan polyester (now part of Covation Bio’s portfolio), among others. After DuPont, Chris relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area to experience biomaterials in the start-up space. At Zymergen, Chris built a product-facing analytical lab that covered characterization challenges from small-molecule to polymer to process and application. His team’s work was instrumental in the successful development of HYALINE, a partly bio-sourced, transparent polyimide for flexible displays, and its 3D-printed version. After Zymergen, Chris joined Bolt Threads to help the industrialization of MYLO, a mycelium-based leather alternative, and B-SILK, a spider-silk protein from fermentation for personal care products. Chris is now in charge of the Quality and Research departments at Bolt Threads. He is also the owner and managing member of NovoPolymer LLC, a polymer characterization and new product development consulting business in Livermore, California, where he continues to work with Bay Area biomaterial companies.

Chris believes that biomaterials are not only an important part of a circular economy, but can bring novel innovations to market in their own right. Doing so requires balancing a deep understanding of their structure-process-property relationships with fast problem-solving research, managing active and fruitful relationships with potential customers, and a structured framework with appropriate manufacturing & quality best practices. Striking the right balance between fast-moving innovation and proven, successful product strategies is the key to a successful new product.