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A Swiss biomaterials startup has secured $15.7 million in Series A funding to accelerate the development of cellulose-based alternatives to titanium dioxide, a whitening ingredient widely used in food, cosmetics and industrial products. The company, Seprify, plans to use the new capital to expand commercial production and bring its sustainable materials to global markets.
The funding round raised 12.25 million Swiss francs and attracted investors including Inter Ikea Group, Una Terra Early Growth Fund, Zürcher Kantonalbank, Cambridge Enterprise Ventures, and Kickfund. The investment will help the company scale its production platform and meet growing demand from industries seeking safer and more environmentally friendly ingredients.
According to the company’s leadership, the funding marks a major step toward large-scale industrial deployment of its cellulose-based materials platform, which aims to replace titanium dioxide, a whitening agent that has raised regulatory and environmental concerns.
Titanium dioxide has long been used as a whitening and opacity agent in foods, cosmetics, coatings and packaging. However, regulatory scrutiny has intensified in recent years.
The European Union banned titanium dioxide as a food additive in 2022 due to concerns about potential genotoxicity risks. Even in countries where it remains permitted, many global brands are actively searching for alternative ingredients.
In addition to health concerns, titanium dioxide production carries a significant environmental footprint. Traditional manufacturing processes often rely on coal-powered or sulfate-based methods, which consume large amounts of energy and generate chemical waste.
Seprify’s technology aims to provide a bio-based solution that could help companies reformulate products while reducing environmental impact.
Seprify was founded in 2022 by Lukas Schertel and Oliver Polcher as a spinout from the University of Cambridge and the University of Fribourg. The company focuses on transforming cellulose, the most abundant natural polymer on Earth, into functional ingredients that mimic the properties of titanium dioxide.
The startup sources cellulose from industrial side streams, agricultural fibers, pulp and recycled materials. These inputs are processed through a proprietary extraction and purification technology that produces microscopic particles capable of scattering light efficiently.
The approach takes inspiration from nature. Specifically, researchers studied the Cyphochilus beetle, whose bright white color comes from microscopic structures on its exoskeleton that scatter light across the visible spectrum.
By replicating that optical effect, Seprify can tune the size and structure of its cellulose particles to create high-performance whitening materials.
One of the company’s flagship products is SilvaAba, a food-grade whitening ingredient designed to replace titanium dioxide in products such as plant-based milk, coffee creamers, confectionery and pet food.
Seprify also developed SilvaLuma, a material used in personal care products that enhances sun protection formulas by replicating titanium dioxide’s UV-filtering properties.
Another product line, SilvaFolia, targets coatings, inks and paints, offering functional cellulose materials for industrial applications.
These solutions aim to provide manufacturers with drop-in replacements that integrate into existing production systems without major changes to manufacturing processes.
The newly raised capital will allow Seprify to scale commercial production to hundreds of tonnes annually through partnerships with established manufacturers. The company also plans to expand engineering capabilities and prepare for larger industrial capacity in the future.
“Our immediate priority is delivering consistent quality and reliable supply, meeting the operational standards large industrial customers require,” said Lukas Schertel, CEO of Seprify.
“In the near term, that means supporting cosmetics and personal care, including suncare, as well as food and pet food. We are also scaling for higher-volume applications such as coatings, inks and printed electronics.”
The company reports that its production platform has already been validated through Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 7 to 9, indicating near-commercial readiness.
Seprify is currently working with more than 100 companies across industries including food, personal care, cosmetics, coatings and pet nutrition, ranging from product testing to early commercial supply agreements.
Among the companies involved are Grolman Group, which is introducing Seprify’s materials to the European personal care market, and Oterra, which will distribute its whitening solutions in the food and beverage sector.
Seprify’s funding round reflects a broader trend in the bio-based materials sector, where startups are developing alternatives to synthetic pigments and fossil-based additives.
Investors are increasingly backing technologies that enable companies to replace controversial ingredients while maintaining product performance and regulatory compliance.
As consumer demand for cleaner labels and sustainable ingredients continues to grow, materials like cellulose-based whitening agents could play a key role in the future of food, cosmetics and industrial products.
According to industry observers, the next phase for companies like Seprify will be proving that these bio-based materials can scale economically and reliably across global supply chains.
