Shellworks, a scalable bio-materials startup, has raised £11 million in Series A funding led by Alter Equity, with participation from Nat Friedman and JamJar. The funding will expand its global production network and accelerate expansion into the US and the EU wellness market.
Shellworks develops Vivomer, a proprietary material made by using microbes to ferment second generation feedstocks such as used cooking oil. The material is designed as a plastic replacement that remains stable in use but biodegrades completely after disposal.
The business has spent six years developing, testing and scaling the material. Partnerships have been secured with consumer brands including Wild, the sustainable personal care company in Unilever’s portfolio, and Sonsie Skin, Pamela Anderson’s beauty brand.
Vivomer packaging is already used in Wild products sold at Tesco and has recently launched at Whole Foods through Phil’s. Shellworks states that it has reached cost competitiveness with conventional materials such as aluminium and glass despite operating at a scale of around 5 million units.
The new funding will support expansion into the United States and the European Union while establishing regional production capabilities. Shellworks is building a global production network focused on technologies such as blow moulding, with facilities planned across the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States.
For too long, the conversation around sustainable materials has been dominated by the perception that they're too expensive for mass adoption. We're proving that's no longer true. At just a fraction of plastic's scale, we're already cost-competitive with alternatives like glass and aluminium. As we scale further, we'll only get more competitive.
Shellworks represents exactly the kind of innovation we need to see in the materials economy. They're not just creating a better material, they're building the infrastructure to make it accessible at scale. That's what will drive real change and contribute to the plastic-free economy we are supporting at alter equity.
Vivomer is at the forefront of sustainable material innovation and has helped Wild deliver on our mission. Their desire to drive change and solve problems has been amazing to watch, and their passion for a better packaging future is infectious.
