Seprify, a Switzerland-based developer of cellulose-based functional ingredients, has raised €13.4 million ($15.5 million) in Series A funding led by Una Terra Early Growth Fund. The company transforms the earth's most abundant biopolymer, cellulose, into high-performance pigments, opacifiers, emulsifiers, and materials inspired by the Cyphochilus beetle's light-scattering structure. The capital will fund the transition to procurement-ready industrial production.
Cellulose Pigments Funding Heats Up
Seprify's raise follows closely on Sparxell's $5M Pre-Series A in February 2026 for similar plant-based color technology. This timing underscores investor interest in bio-based alternatives amid EU TiO2 restrictions. Seprify's beetle-inspired approach targets TiO2 replacement with 80% lower GHG emissions, addressing regulatory gaps in food and cosmetics.
TiO2 Bans Spark Alternatives Rush
EU regulators banned TiO2 (E171) as a food additive in 2022 due to health concerns, persisting despite a January 2026 ruling easing powder classification. Cosmetics and coatings face similar scrutiny over microplastics and carcinogen risks. Manufacturers seek drop-in replacements matching TiO2's opacity without synthetic drawbacks.
Beetle Scales Inspire Structural Whites
Seprify engineers cellulose microparticles mimicking the ultra-white Cyphochilus beetle scales for superior light scattering. Products like SilvaLuma™ boost SPF up to 100% at 1-3% dosage in cosmetics, while SilvaAlba™ provides stable white pigmentation for food and pharma. Unlike microfibrillated cellulose competitors such as Exilva or FineCell, which focus on rheology, Seprify prioritizes high-opacity whites as direct TiO2 substitutes.
Patented Extraction Enables Scalability
The patented process uses renewable pulp and agrofibers without chemical modifications, yielding powders, suspensions, or gels. This achieves TRL 7-9 validation across cosmetics, food, coatings, and electronics. Partnerships with Grolman Group for European cosmetics rollout and Oterra for food colors demonstrate commercial fit.
Impact Investors Back Industrial Pivot
Una Terra's SFDR Article 9 fund leads, joined by Inter IKEA Group (seed follow-on), ZKB, Cambridge Enterprise Ventures, and Kickfund. IKEA's strategic CVC signals demand for sustainable materials in retail supply chains. This mix validates Seprify's path from ETH Zurich spinout to ton-scale production.
Nanocellulose Market Scales Rapidly
The nanocellulose market stands at $594M in 2024, projected to reach $2.17B by 2030 at 24.1% CAGR. Drivers include clean-label demands and ESG pressures in food, cosmetics, and paints. Seprify competes with LignoPure ($5.3M raised) on lignin additives but leads in cellulose whites.
Competitors Chase Regulatory Tailwinds
Renmatix raised over $108M historically for cellulosic sugars, while FineCell remains early-stage. Sparxell's recent $5M targets structural colors, not whites. Seprify's procurement-ready products and 20+ partners position it for faster commercialization.
Serial Founder Drives Deep Tech Scale
Co-founder Oliver Polcher brings 30 years in materials ventures, including graphene anodes at Cambridge Advanced Holdings and a medtech exit to Bausch & Lomb. CEO Lukas Schertel holds a PhD in physics with Cambridge research ties. Pulp expert Kimmo Kangas led €380M mill projects, complementing sales lead Carola Weiss's CHF100M paper budget experience.
Industrial Rollout Accelerates Hiring
Post-funding, Seprify launches test kits for SilvaLuma™ SPF formulations and hires a Senior Technical Sales Manager for cosmetics. Grolman partnership enables European market access, with Oterra validating 15 food categories at 80% CO2 savings.
As Lukas Schertel, CEO, noted:
"Our immediate priority is delivering consistent quality and reliable supply."