Hylaeus does not produce honey, instead it lines their nest with a waterproof and contaminant proof clear cellophane substance that does not melt or dissolve with strong chemicals. They also secrete a substance that protects the nest from fungi and bacteria. This substance is secreted from the mandibles. This substance is what the company is trying to replicate on an industrial scale.
Humble Bee Bios CTO Ryan Graves says to TechCrunch:
"It’s resistant to acids and bases. It’s hydrophobic, it’s waterproof, it’s flame retardant, it’s stable up to 240 degrees Celsius."
