Danish industrial biotechnology startup Cellugy, has secured €8.1 million to support scaling up the production of its biofabricated cellulose-based rheology modifier material, EcoFLEXY.
The new funding comes in the form of a grant from the LIFE Programme, the European Union’s funding instrument for projects supporting environment and climate action.
EcoFLEXY is designed to replace fossil-based carbomers, known as harmful microplastics. That way it significantly reduces environmental pollution and the use of hazardous chemicals in the cosmetics sector. It delivers superior product performance and adaptable sensorial properties, along with scalable, operationally efficient manufacturing to meet the needs of a fast-evolving beauty industry focused on sustainability and innovation.
The release of microplastics from personal care products is a growing concern, as studies indicate that products such as facial scrubs and liquid soaps contribute to environmental pollution. Recent research also shows that microplastics can enter the human body through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact, raising concerns about their possible health effects.
Through the BIOCARE4LIFE project, EcoFLEXY is positioned to prevent the release of 259 tons of microplastics annually by project completion, scaling dramatically to 1,289 tons per year by 2034, equivalent to removing millions of contaminated beauty products from the market each year.
But the challenge is more than just a sustainability-related issue.
Dr. Isabel Alvarez-Martos, CEO and co-founder at Cellugy, explains:
An alternative material that simply aims to be more sustainable is not enough; the critical challenge is about delivering bio-based solutions that actually outperform petrochemicals in performance parameters like texture, functionality, and user experience, while also being scalable and operationally efficient. Good intentions won't drive industry change; we need higher-quality alternatives like EcoFLEXY that make it easier, not harder, for brands to choose sustainability. Only when bio-based materials match or exceed the performance and economics of traditional ingredients will we see the transformation needed to protect both human health and our planet.
EcoFLEXY offers superior performance and previously unachievable functionalities compared to existing biobased ingredients.
The biofabricated cellulose material delivers enhanced stability, compatibility, and sensoriality, critical factors for cosmetics manufacturers who cannot compromise on product quality while meeting growing sustainability demands. This bridges the gap between the performance of fossil-based modifiers and the environmental benefits of natural materials, enabling the creation of effective and eco-friendly personal care formulations.
The BIOCARE4LIFE project will drive EcoFLEXY's scale-up process through the work of a specialist consortium of experts in biotechnology, sustainability, and data management: The Footprint Firm (TFF), a consultancy company focused on circular economy solutions and environmental impact validation, and Sci2sci, a Berlin-based startup specialising in data management, machine learning, and AI-driven process optimisation.
Will Nunn, Manager at The Footprint Firm, said the project marks meaningful progress toward achieving more sustainable manufacturing in personal care:
Our role is to validate the environmental impact and ensure the best alignment with circular economy principles. The project’s combination of technical innovation and sustainability validation positions EcoFLEXY very strongly for market adoption and supports the EU’s broader transition to a more resource-efficient economy.
Angelina Lesnikova, Sci2sci CEO, added:
Scaling a biotech solution is never simple, but it’s where the real value lies. Our role is to optimize every layer of production, from fermentation parameters to supply chain predictability, so that EcoFLEXY can compete with petrochemical alternatives not just on environmental benefits, but on cost and performance metrics that matter to manufacturers. Together we have the potential to make sustainable chemistry economically irresistible as well as environmentally essential.
The €8.1 million investment will fund critical scaling activities, process optimisation, and commercial validation over a four-year period.
Lead image: Cellugy team | Photo: Uncredited
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