Shellworks raises $15M to scale sustainable plastic alternative Vivomer
Summary
London-based biomaterials company Shellworks has secured \$15 million in Series A funding, led by alter equity, to scale its sustainable plastic alternative, Vivomer. This bio-based material, produced by fermenting second-generation feedstocks, is designed to function like conventional plastic but biodegrade after disposal, addressing the environmental impact of traditional packaging. A key milestone achieved is Vivomer's cost competitiveness, matching materials like aluminum and glass at a production scale of five million units, which Shellworks CEO Insiya Jafferjee states disproves the notion that "sustainable materials have long been viewed as too costly for widespread adoption." The capital will support establishing global manufacturing capabilities, including regional production in the US, EU, and UK, and developing mass-market partnerships, particularly within the growing wellness sector.
Key takeaway
Shellworks secured \$15M to scale Vivomer, a novel bio-based material produced via microbial fermentation of second-generation feedstocks. This material achieves cost-competitiveness with conventional alternatives like glass and aluminum at just 5 million units, significantly de-risking sustainable packaging adoption. This breakthrough addresses a critical economic barrier for sustainable materials, signaling a market shift and presenting complex optimization opportunities for AI/ML in biomaterial production and supply chain scaling.
Topics
- Biomaterials
- Sustainable Packaging
- Vivomer
- Venture Funding
- Cost Competitiveness
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