About GranBio
GranBio is a cleantech company pioneer in green technologies
We are a pioneer cleantech company focused on reversing global warming and help making the world safer.
We believe that technology allied with human creativity and entrepreneurial execution capability in a cooperative and trustful environment is the most effective pathway to reverse the climate change impact that threatens the planet. We have developed an inclusive organizational culture with talented people with purpose and sense of urgency to secure a sustainable and better planet the next generations.
Our business is to create, develop, demonstrate and license state of the art proprietary biotechnologies with an option of EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) in alliance with strategic partners. GranBio executes viability studies and the construction, as well as offers full operation of integrated biorefineries utilizing biomass as sustainable feedstock aiming net zero carbon emission products such as 2G ethanol, SAF, biochemicals and nanocellulose.
Vision
A sustainable and safe planet for the next generations
Mission
Be relevant worldwide to reverse global warming
Values
Integrity, inclusion, innovation, responsability and perseverance
Our leaders
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Bernardo Gradin (Founder & CEO)
Bernardo graduated from the Escola Politécnica de Engenharia Civil at UFBA (88) and has an MBA from the Wharton Business School (93) and an MA from the Lauder Institute of the University of Pennsylvania (93). Bernardo founded GranBio in 2011.
Prior to GranBio Bernardo worked in the engineering and construction sector until 1999 and then in the petrochemical sector, having been CEO of Braskem from 2008 to 2010. He is a member of the superior council for innovation and competitiveness at FIESP, leader of MEI (Business Mobilization for Innovation) of CNI and Industry representative on the G20 2024 innovation agenda. He was invited by the World Economic Forum for 11 years in a row since 2009.
Bernardo is president of Instituto Inspirare focused on philanthropy and social investment and a relevant shareholder of the Gran Investimentos group with businesses in logistics, port infrastructure, energy, navigation and oil & gas. -
Kim Nelson (CTO Nanocellulose)
Dr. Kim is a research scientist and business manager with 13 years of innovation experience involving multiple patented biorefinery technology platforms to convert biomass into fuels, chemicals and nanocellulose. She is the primary inventor of GranBio's nanocellulose production processes and responsible for nanocellulose technology development and partnerships. She was a pulp mill process engineer at MeadWestvaco.
Dr. Kim holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from GA Tech and a Master of Science from the Institute of Paper Science and Technology at GA Tech. -
Ryan Zebroski (R&D Director)
Ryan has more than 25 years of experience in technology development, process engineering and industrial plant operations and vast international experience in project management, greenfield start-ups, lignocellulosic sugar production, industrial fermentation and purification.
Worked at Cargill, Inc. and at CSM Biochemicals (Corbion), Ryan brings a strong business focus to process development efforts, with specific expertise in the areas of pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation technology, recovery and purification.
Ryan holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. -
Francisco Vassellucci (Commercial VP)
Francisco is a business executive with more than 25 years of experience in the commodities, food and bioenergy industry, working for large companies such Cargill. Specialized in commercial strategies in the areas of trading and supply, with a focus on business development and management, market intelligence, partnerships and strategic alliances, product marketing, structured finance, risk management and logistics solutions in the local and international markets.
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Ryan O’Connor (IP Counselor)
Ryan has a PhD in Chemical Engineering and a law degree from the U.S. Patent Bar. He has worked for 20 years as a chemical engineer in biorefineries, strategic R&D and Intellectual Property. Formerly Director Engineering at Nature Works and Director of Intellectual Property at Range Fuels Inc.
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Guilherme Refinetti (CFO)
Guilherme has more than 15 years of professional experience in the financial area. He has started his career at Grupo Suzano, and worked for 6 years at Braskem S.A. Guilherme joined GranBio in 2011 and has held various positions across the Group and today holds the position of CFO of GranBio Investimentos S.A.
Graduated in Business Administration from FGV/SP and Post Graduated in Finance from INSPER/SP. -
Luiz Fernando Pereira Alves (New Projects Director)
Luiz Fernando has extensive experience in the agricultural, industrial bioenergy and sugar-energy sector, having worked on the development of projects for the implementation and expansion of industrial centers and management of industrial operations. Also responsible for certification, licenses and authorizations with the competent bodies for the installation of food and bioenergy production operations.
Graduated in Mechanical Engineering, with emphasis in Production (UNIFEI) and specialization in Management and Industrial Technology in the sugar and alcohol sector (USP). -
Marco Aurélio (Operations Director of BioFlex i)
Marco is responsible for the operations of BioFlex, the largest cellulosic ethanol (E2G) plant in Brazil. Marco Aurélio has worked at Braskem for 30 years, with extensive experience in managing chemical and petrochemical plants and implementing large projects in Brazil and abroad.
Graduated in Chemical Engineering (PUC/RJ) and Business Administration (CESMAC/AL), post-graduated in Project Management (George Washington University) and in Business Management (FGV). -
Gabriela Medelo (Human Resources Manager)
Gabriela has been working in the Human Resources area for 17 years in companies in the Pharmaceutical, Chemical/Agro, Entertainment and Biotechnology segments, with a holistic view of people management systems, communication, organizational transformation, leadership development, talent attraction, education and organizational development, culture management, succession planning, labor relations, compensation and benefits.
He has specializations in Corporate Labor Law (FGV-Law), Economics and Management of Labor Relations (PUC/SP) and a degree in Business Administration (FEI-SP).
Our manifest
The purpose of GranBio is to offer technology solutions on an industrial scale to reduce dependence on fossil carbon and mitigate the human impact on global warming.
GranBio’s people are building a company based on a common cause: innovation to create sustainable solutions for a better world. GranBio intends to be recognized as one of the most innovative companies in Brazil and in the world, with a bold way of doing things and the tireless pursuit of groundbreaking technologies to drive change.
At GranBio, autonomy, good mood, boldness and commitment are complemented by an ethical pact of responsibility and self-demand. Here, what is right has no owner and ideas and learnings are shared naturally. Serving is a common behavior and big dreams are respected as close realities that are only waiting for our action.
GranBio is represented by the conduct of all its members. At GranBio there is only one track, the right track. We all sign a formal commitment to do right and good. We all feel responsible for the consequences of our actions and we measure ourselves by our way of doing, refusing to do and making things happen.
Here business leadership is legitimized by example. GranBio’s leaders believe that the company plays a decisive role in defending social and cultural values wherever it is present. We do not accept an imposed hierarchy of authority, but follow a leadership with a sense of cause, which engages people through example, conduct and personal cause in the pursuit of accomplishing something meaningful in life. The people who choose GranBio bring along a rebellious cause and a vibrant restlessness in the search for self-accomplishment.
GranBio wants to be seen as a company where the future is the present cause, where people are fulfilled and clients feel like they belong to a common dream in favor of future generations.
Bernardo Gradin Founding partner of GranBio