London-based start-up Shellworks has raised $15 million in Series A funding to expand production of its plant-based material ‘Vivomer’ and accelerate its expansion into the US and Europe. The funding round was led by investment fund Alter Equity, with participation from other existing investors. The money will be used to set up regional production facilities to reduce the carbon footprint and strengthen supply chains. The company is currently establishing a production network with locations in the UK, Europe and the US. It is also working on blow moulding bottles from biomaterials.

Partnership with Pamela Anderson

According to Shellworks, its biological material Vivomer is comparable in price to conventional materials such as aluminium and glass, even at significantly lower production volumes. It is stable in use but completely biodegradable. The plastic substitute is produced by fermenting raw materials such as used cooking oil with the help of microorganisms, according to the company. The company has invested the past six years in developing, testing and scaling the patented material and has proven that plant-based materials can compete with conventional packaging in terms of cost and volume. It has now entered into partnerships with brands such as Pamela Anderson's cosmetics brand "Sonsie Skin" and the personal care company "Wild". Further partnerships are to be launched.

Pipettes compostable at home

Shellworks says it developed the world's first home-compostable pipette droppers for beauty and wellness products last year. The compostable solutions have replaced more than 90 tonnes of conventional plastic to date, it said. Shellworks is a biotech start-up founded in London in 2019 by experts in science, engineering and design who develop sustainable alternatives to plastics. The company uses microbes to produce new materials such as Vivomer from biological waste that are free of microplastics and toxic chemicals.

Source: Shellworks