Danish industrial biotechnology company Cellugy has secured €8.1m in funding from the EU LIFE Programme to accelerate the commercialisation of a microplastic alternative.
EcoFLEXY, a biofabricated cellulose-based rheology modifier, is aimed at replacing fossil-derived microplastics in cosmetics.
The funding will support the scale-up of EcoFLEXY production as part of the BIOCARE4LIFE project, enabling Cellugy to expand its impact across the personal care sector.
EcoFLEXY is engineered as a high-performance alternative to synthetic carbomers, widely used in skin care and cosmetic formulations but increasingly scrutinised for their microplastic content and environmental impact.
“With growing regulatory and consumer pressure around microplastic use, especially in rinse-off products, EcoFLEXY offers brands a way to stay ahead of legislation without compromising product performance,” said Dr Isabel Alvarez-Martos, CEO and co-founder of Cellugy.
“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,” Alvarez-Martos said.
“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.”
Developed using fermentation-based processes, EcoFLEXY is said to deliver enhanced stability, compatibility, and sensoriality compared with existing bio-based alternatives, bridging the performance gap between fossil-derived modifiers and natural materials.
Designed for use in creams, gels, and other beauty formulations, the biotech company says the ingredient is both scalable and operationally efficient, making it commercially viable for large-scale adoption.
Through BIOCARE4LIFE, Cellugy aims to prevent the release of 259 tonnes of microplastics per year by project completion, with projections rising to 1,289 tonnes annually by 2034.
This is the equivalent of removing millions of contaminated beauty products from the global market, according to the business.
To support the scale-up, Cellugy has partnered with two key organisations: The Footprint Firm (TFF), a circular economy consultancy, and Sci2sci, a Berlin-based data optimisation startup.
Will Nunn, Manager at The Footprint Firm, said: “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, CEO of Sci2sci, added: “Scaling a biotech solution is never simple, but it’s where the real value lies.
“Our role is to optimise 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.”
The €8.1m grant will be allocated over four years and cover process optimisation, commercial validation, and industrial scaling of the ingredient.