Cellugy’s Danish Biotech Aims to Replace Microplastics in Cosmetics
▼ Summary
– Danish biotech Cellugy secured €8.1mn in EU funding to scale production of EcoFLEXY, a biodegradable alternative to microplastics in cosmetics.
– EcoFLEXY is a cellulose-based material designed for personal care products, matching the performance of fossil-based carbomers while being more sustainable.
– Cellugy estimates EcoFLEXY could prevent 259 tonnes of microplastic pollution annually, scaling to over 1,200 tonnes by 2034.
– The funding will support production optimization and environmental validation, with partners Sci2sci and The Footprint Firm ensuring cost and performance competitiveness.
– Cellugy aims to capitalize on growing regulatory pressure against microplastics, projecting significant revenue and environmental impact within 3-5 years.
Danish biotech startup Cellugy has secured €8.1 million in EU funding to scale production of its innovative biodegradable alternative to microplastics in cosmetics. The investment, backed by the EU’s LIFE Programme, will help bring EcoFLEXY, a cellulose-based material, to market for use in personal care products like creams, gels, and toothpaste.
Unlike conventional fossil-based carbomers, which contribute to microplastic pollution, EcoFLEXY offers comparable performance while being fully biodegradable. Cellugy asserts its product matches the texture-enhancing and shelf-stable qualities of carbomers, which dominate the cosmetics industry despite environmental and health concerns.
Dr. Isabel Alvarez-Martos, CEO and co-founder of Cellugy, emphasizes that sustainability alone isn’t enough to drive adoption. “The real breakthrough lies in creating bio-based materials that outperform petrochemical alternatives,” she says. The company projects its solution could eliminate 259 tonnes of microplastics annually, scaling to over 1,200 tonnes by 2034, equivalent to removing millions of contaminated beauty products from circulation.
The funding will also support collaborations with Danish consultancy The Footprint Firm and Berlin-based AI firm Sci2sc, which specializes in optimizing biotech production processes. Angelina Lesnikova, Sci2sc’s CEO, notes their focus is on refining manufacturing efficiency to ensure EcoFLEXY competes not just on sustainability but also cost and performance, key factors for industry adoption.
With tightening EU regulations on microplastics, Cellugy is strategically positioned to meet growing demand for eco-friendly cosmetic ingredients. Alvarez-Martos anticipates significant revenue within three to five years, alongside measurable environmental benefits. The shift toward greener alternatives is no longer optional, it’s a necessity for the future of cosmetics.
(Source: The Next Web)
