Production Cellulose White Pigments
Slurry - Cellulose White Pigment
Powder - Cellulose White Pigment
-
Title of the submitted project/idea
Impossible Materials - Producing cellulose white pigments as a sustainable alternative to titanium dioxide
-
Title of the submitted project/idea (English)
Impossible Materials - Producing cellulose white pigments as a sustainable alternative to titanium dioxide
-
URL of a video introducing the submitted project or idea (5 minutes or less)
https://youtu.be/5GizmENR9DM
-
Brief concept description of the submitted project/idea
IMPOSSIBLE MATERIALS is a deep-tech spinoff company from the Chemistry Department at the University of Cambridge (UK). The company's mission is to enable businesses to work towards a circular economy by providing plant-based formulation ingredients. Our first product is a 100% cellulose-based white pigment to replace the controversial market leader titanium dioxide (TiO2) for use in paints, inks, cosmetics, pharma, and food.
-
Brief concept description of the submitted project/idea (English)
IMPOSSIBLE MATERIALS is a deep-tech spinoff company from the Chemistry Department at the University of Cambridge (UK). The company's mission is to enable businesses to work towards a circular economy by providing plant-based formulation ingredients. Our first product is a 100% cellulose-based white pigment to replace the controversial market leader titanium dioxide (TiO2) for use in paints, inks, cosmetics, pharma, and food.
-
Detailed description of the submitted project/idea
SUMMARY:
At Impossible Materials we engineer sustainable materials for the circular economy. Our market entry product is a cellulose-based white pigment to replace the controversial, but most widely used white pigment, titanium dioxide (TiO2), a $16B global market opportunity.
PROBLEM & OPPORTUNITY
Regulators are banning the use of TiO2, ruling it unsafe as a food additive (“E171”) and threatening other health-sensitive segments. Additionally, businesses look at natural ingredients as strategic opportunities driven by an end-user request for plant-based products. Users of TiO2 are forced to seek sustainable alternatives whilst current substitutes lack performance.
SOLUTION
Cellulose is widely available, biocompatible, and easy to process. We develop patented, brilliantly white pigments from cellulose that can be scaled with industry-proven processes, are safe to humans, and offer superior performance to alternatives.
BIOINSPIRATION
Fibrillar cellulose materials can mimic natural optimized scattering systems such as the network structure found in the Cyphochilus beetle. It’s lightweight, 5 μm thin scales serve as nature’s strongest scattering material, creating the brightest white on the smallest scale.
REVENUE MODEL
Initially selling cellulose-based white pigments to health-sensitive industries, focusing on food, pharma, and personal care, where biocompatibility drives buying decision, and will thereafter expand into mass-market segments.
TRACTION
We won multiple startup competitions, received non-dilutive grant funding, and have Letters of Intrest signed from globally leading food, pharma, and cosmetic companies circulating towards industrial testing collaborations.
TEAM
Led by a team with complementary skills consisting of top scientists from the University of Cambridge and industry experienced entrepreneurs, supported by connected advisors. Founding team: Dr. Lukas Schertel (Product), Prof. Silvia Vignolini (Research), Oliver Polcher (Business).
NEXT STEPS
Finalize seed round, hire a technical team for product development, product tests with food/pharma/cosmetics companies.
UN SDGs
3: Good Health & Well-Being
9: Industry, Innovation, & Infrastructure
12: Responsible Production & Consumption -
Detailed description of the submitted project/idea (English)
SUMMARY:
At Impossible Materials we engineer sustainable materials for the circular economy. Our market entry product is a cellulose-based white pigment to replace the controversial, but most widely used white pigment, titanium dioxide (TiO2), a $16B global market opportunity.
PROBLEM & OPPORTUNITY
Regulators are banning the use of TiO2, ruling it unsafe as a food additive (“E171”) and threatening other health-sensitive segments. Additionally, businesses look at natural ingredients as strategic opportunities driven by an end-user request for plant-based products. Users of TiO2 are forced to seek sustainable alternatives whilst current substitutes lack performance.
SOLUTION
Cellulose is widely available, biocompatible, and easy to process. We develop patented, brilliantly white pigments from cellulose that can be scaled with industry-proven processes, are safe to humans, and offer superior performance to alternatives.
BIOINSPIRATION
Fibrillar cellulose materials can mimic natural optimized scattering systems such as the network structure found in the Cyphochilus beetle. It’s lightweight, 5 μm thin scales serve as nature’s strongest scattering material, creating the brightest white on the smallest scale.
REVENUE MODEL
Initially selling cellulose-based white pigments to health-sensitive industries, focusing on food, pharma, and personal care, where biocompatibility drives buying decision, and will thereafter expand into mass-market segments.
TRACTION
We won multiple startup competitions, received non-dilutive grant funding, and have Letters of Intrest signed from globally leading food, pharma, and cosmetic companies circulating towards industrial testing collaborations.
TEAM
Led by a team with complementary skills consisting of top scientists from the University of Cambridge and industry experienced entrepreneurs, supported by connected advisors. Founding team: Dr. Lukas Schertel (Product), Prof. Silvia Vignolini (Research), Oliver Polcher (Business).
NEXT STEPS
Finalize seed round, hire a technical team for product development, product tests with food/pharma/cosmetics companies.
UN SDGs
3: Good Health & Well-Being
9: Industry, Innovation, & Infrastructure
12: Responsible Production & Consumption -
URL of your project / idea
http://www.impossiblematerials.com/
