We all know plastic waste is a problem. But what most consumers don’t see—or even know—is that their skincare, shampoo, and makeup often contain invisible microplastics, chemicals that don’t break down and end up polluting ecosystems for generations.
Enter Cellugy, a female-led Danish biotech startup on a mission to solve this problem at the root. The company just secured €8.1 million in non-dilutive funding from the EU’s LIFE Programme to scale up EcoFLEXY, its cellulose-based, biotech-engineered alternative to microplastics in cosmetics.
Founded in Søborg, Denmark, Cellugy is betting on a radical shift: replacing fossil-derived ingredients like carbomers and acrylates—commonly used in skincare products to create texture and stability—with a bio-based, biodegradable solution grown through microbial fermentation.
BIOCARE4LIFE: Commercialising EcoFLEXY for market
The new funding supports BIOCARE4LIFE, a four-year project designed to commercialise EcoFLEXY by optimising fermentation processes, scaling production, and validating environmental and economic impact. The solution is being positioned to prevent 259 tonnes of microplastics annually, scaling to 1,289 tonnes by 2034.
“An alternative material that simply aims to be more sustainable is not enough,” said Dr. Isabel Alvarez-Martos, CEO and co-founder at Cellugy. “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.”
Unlike existing biobased solutions such as xanthan or plant-derived cellulose gums, EcoFLEXY is engineered via microbial fermentation and offers superior performance in terms of texture, stability, and compatibility-key considerations for cosmetics brands that cannot sacrifice product quality.
Tackling performance, scale, and environmental validation
The project is supported by a consortium of partners including The Footprint Firm, a Danish consultancy focused on circular economy and impact validation, and Sci2sci, a Berlin-based startup specialising in machine learning and AI for process optimisation
“The combination of technical innovation and sustainability validation positions EcoFLEXY very strongly for market adoption,” said Will Nunn, Manager at The Footprint Firm.
“Scaling a biotech solution is never simple, but it’s where the real value lies,” added Angelina Lesnikova, CEO of Sci2sci. “Our goal is to make EcoFLEXY cost-competitive with petrochemicals while unlocking climate-positive performance.”
Making EcoFLEXY ready for regulatory and commercial urgency
The project comes as new regulations-including the EU microplastics ban and US PFAS restrictions-threaten to disrupt billions in personal care revenue. With nearly 70% of the €2.8B rheology modifier market still fossil-dependent, Cellugy aims to fill a growing demand for drop-in biobased alternatives.
“This grant provides the resources we need to transform our vision into reality,” Alvarez-Martos said. “Our end goal is sweeping petrochemicals from an industry worth billions, and we now have the backing and the partnerships to make it happen.”
Founded in 2018, Cellugy has previously raised €7 million from investors and has been recognised as one of Europe’s top 10 plastic-alternative startups. The company employs 13 people from 10 nationalities and operates with a mission to replace harmful ingredients with biology-based innovations.
