Dr Peter Collins, former CEO of Permasense, has been appointed as Chair of the Board by HutanBio Ltd, effective 1st December 2024. With over three decades of experience spanning energy, water, and process industries, Dr Collins is renowned for scaling technology-differentiated engineering businesses and delivering exceptional results.
Peters’ experience spans numerous sectors including chemical technology, oil and gas pipeline inspection, oilfield services, and water utility sensor solutions. With a PhD in Computational Fluid Dynamics from Imperial College London and an MBA from INSEAD, his technical and business expertise uniquely position him to guide HutanBio’s next phase of growth.
“I am thrilled to join HutanBio at such a pivotal moment,” Dr Collins said. “The company’s commitment to sustainability and ambitious innovation is inspiring. Thanks to the brilliance of the founding team, we now know that algae biofuel can be produced at scale and without competing with food supplies or causing deforestation. This breakthrough is hugely significant and holds enormous potential.”
Dr Collins’ strengths in hardware, engineering solutions, and fundraising, paired with his ability to develop high-performing teams and execute decisive strategies make him ideally suited to meet HutanBio’s evolving needs. His extensive global experience across Europe, North America, and Asia, along with a proven track record of scaling startups from lab stage to multi-million-dollar valuations, will significantly strengthen HutanBio’s already exceptional Board.
On his decision to join, Dr Collins highlighted HutanBio’s commitment to diversity: “A key factor in joining HutanBio was its rare focus on diversity from the outset. Starting with diversity creates strength—broadening perspectives, improving problem-solving, and fostering innovation. It also makes the company more attractive to top talent, promotes a global outlook, and cultivates a positive, forward-thinking culture.”
Dr Collins joins HutanBio at a key inflection point as the company accelerates its mission to decarbonise long-distance transportation. Fresh off a successful £3.5M seed round, backed by UK-based Clean Growth Fund, UKI2S (UK Innovation to Science) and others, HutanBio is gearing up for a Series A raise to fund the deployment of its first commercial biofarm pilot, slated for completion in 2026. This strategic appointment will enable current Chair and CEO Paul Beastall to focus on advancing engineering efforts and building commercial traction.
Drawing on extensive global cultivation trials and research, HutanBio are expected to become a major disruptor in the fuel supply market and make a significant contribution to the decarbonisation of transport and hard-to-abate high emitting industries, including cement production. Founded in 2019 after a decade of research and the discovery of the rare microalgae species HBx, the company’s groundbreaking innovations have successfully and rather ingeniously unlocked the potential of algae as a low carbon fuel – firmly drawing a line under a generation of failed attempts.
Having already established their ability to repeatably produce a high energy density, low carbon, sulphur-free, bio-oil, the team are now poised to meet the growing market demand. Fuelled by regulatory drivers which include the recently signed UK SAF mandate and the IMO’s (International Maritime Organisation) mandate on reducing shipping emissions by 40% by 2030 and absolute greenhouse gas reduction by 2050.
As Chair, Dr Collins will steer the leadership team to refine its commercial strategy and establish HutanBio as a leader in sustainable biofuels. His priority will be driving the commercialisation of HBx technology, transforming it from a groundbreaking scientific achievement into a solution with tangible global impact.
Dr Collins emphasised the urgency of the task: “It is now incumbent on us to transform this breakthrough into real-world impact. The market demand is clear, regulatory pressure is building, and we have a solution that supports decarbonisation without compromising food security or forests. We must move quickly, identify the right partners, and get HBx Biofuel into fuel tanks across aviation and maritime industries. I look forward to working with the team to achieve these ambitious goals.”
Dr Collins has a proven history of turning breakthrough technologies into commercial successes. His leadership was instrumental in driving Permasense from a university spinout to a global market leader, culminating in its $50 million acquisition by Emerson in 2016, notably with zero equity funding. As Chairman, he also led Inflowmatix to its acquisition by Suez in 2021.
HutanBio CEO, Paul Beastall stated, “Peter’s blend of technical expertise and commercial leadership is exactly what HutanBio needs to continue to growth and achieve our next major milestone. His track record speaks for itself, and we’re thrilled to have him onboard.”
Investor Director Jonathan Tudor added, “Peter’s knowledge of energy markets and renowned expertise in scaling technology-driven businesses will add significant value to HutanBio’s leadership team.”
HBx biofuel has a light touch footprint which is hugely significant. Unlike other energy crops, the process requires no freshwater and will be deployed in areas of strong sunlight. Grown in enclosed bioreactors it takes advantage of barren, unproductive land, meaning it can scale without competing with agriculture, drawing on already scarce fresh water supplies or driving deforestation and other harmful consequences.With Dr Collins as Chair of the Board, alongside Paul Beastall’s commanding leadership, HutanBio is confident in its ability to scale rapidly and solidify its position as a global leader in sustainable biofuels. His appointment marks a transformative step in the company’s journey to create a lasting impact in the fight against climate change.
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