London startup Aeropowder, whose solutions made from surplus feathers offer a sustainable alternative to single-use plastics and other harmful materials, has secured a £150K investment from the British Design Fund (BDF), an early-stage British manufacturing investor. Alongside capital investment, BDF provides expert mentoring to support such companies to accelerate their growth plans.
The funding will be used to support the launch of the company’s thermal packaging product, ‘PluumoPlus’, which is designed for the life sciences industry and cold chain logistics.
Dr. Ryan Robinson, co-founder of Aeropowder said: “The investment from the British Design Fund is going to be instrumental in our ability to manufacture our first units of PluumoPlus and get them into the hands of our existing waiting list, which includes some of the largest pharmaceutical and life science logistics companies in the world. The next 12 months will see us focused on optimising production and further product development, based on client demand”.
The idea behind Aeropowder
Co-founder and biologist Dr Ryan Robinson began working on the innovation while completing his PhD at Imperial College London. He joined a research project exploring novel uses for feathers that harness their natural properties while reducing waste. An estimated 3 million tonnes of waste feathers are generated every year in Europe alone, which are either incinerated or turned into low-grade animal feed.
What does Aeropowder do?
Traditionally, plastic materials, such as expanded polystyrene, have been relied upon for the storage and movement of temperature-sensitive goods. This is where Aeropowder’s patented solution can maintain an internal temperature of between 2-8°C for over 72 hours, even when external temperatures average 30°C for the period.
Its PluumoPlus is a pioneer in thermal packaging innovation. Crafted from surplus feathers to deliver superior performance whilst minimising the impact on the environment for the Life Science Industry. It has undergone rigorous development to ensure it offers unparalleled thermal protection, surpassing the capabilities of other nature-based sustainable materials in challenging conditions.
Aeropowder’s future product developments are set to include acoustic panels and other building insulation materials. The company’s second patent focuses on oil absorption materials, designed to help clean up environmental spillages without resorting to plastic foams.
Ryan added: “The world needs more novel materials, processes, and solutions to combat the pressing environmental and economic challenges that we face. Looking at natural ecosystems for inspiration, which inherently are more sustainable and resilient, it’s clear that concepts such as the circular economy have a massive role to play – essentially, how we minimise or repurpose waste streams in more productive ways”.
Damon Bonser, CEO of the British Design Fund, said: “Aeropowder ticks all the boxes for us. They are a creative and ambitious team, developing an innovative range of products that have the potential to make a positive impact across the world. Innovations such as this, which support the transition to sustainable materials, are so important and we look forward to working closely with the team to help bring their ideas forward”.
What do we think about Aeropowder?
Traditionally, plastic materials like expanded polystyrene have been relied upon to provide an insulation barrier for such packages by slowing the rate of internal warming during transport. However, in the face of pressing challenges regarding plastic packaging waste, drug manufacturers and healthcare providers recognise the need for change. At this point, the investment in Aeropowder shows confidence in its sustainable packaging material solution made from feathers.
