Naturbeads, a Bath-based sustainability materials startup, has received €4.1 million in EU funding through its subsidiary Naturbeads Italia Srl, as the company moves toward commercial production of its biodegradable alternative to microplastics.
The grant, awarded through the European Structural Fund programme, will partially reimburse Naturbeads for the construction of a new production plant in Puglia, Italy, and support research and development over the next two years.
Naturbeads develops cellulose-based microspheres designed to replace harmful microplastics in products including cosmetics, paints, detergents, coatings and leather. The funding comes as regulatory pressure in Europe is expected to increase demand for substitutes to intentionally added microplastics across consumer and industrial markets.
The new facility is expected to play a central role in the company’s push toward full commercialisation.
The grant, awarded through the European Structural Fund programme, will partially reimburse Naturbeads for the construction of a new production plant in Puglia, Italy, and support research and development over the next two years.
Naturbeads develops cellulose-based microspheres designed to replace harmful microplastics in products including cosmetics, paints, detergents, coatings and leather. The funding comes as regulatory pressure in Europe is expected to increase demand for substitutes to intentionally added microplastics across consumer and industrial markets.
The new facility is expected to play a central role in the company’s push toward full commercialisation.