Inter IKEA Group Backs Seprify’s €13.4M Series A to Scale Cellulose Materials Platform

Why It Matters

Replacing titanium dioxide with renewable cellulose cuts environmental impact and aligns major retailers with circular‑economy goals, accelerating green material adoption across multiple sectors.

Key Takeaways

• €13.4M Series A led by Inter IKEA Group
• Cellulose replaces titanium dioxide in cosmetics, food, coatings
• Platform validated at TRL 7‑9 with industry partners
• Over 100 customers in evaluation or early supply
• Funding targets scaling, quality, and new high‑volume markets

Pulse Analysis

Titanium dioxide has long been a workhorse pigment in cosmetics, food, and coatings, but its production generates significant greenhouse‑gas emissions and raises health concerns. Seprify’s cellulose platform leverages abundant plant fibers to create a pigment‑grade material that matches TiO2’s opacity while being biodegradable and compatible with existing manufacturing lines. This shift not only reduces the carbon footprint of end‑products but also eases end‑of‑life recycling, addressing regulatory pressure for greener formulations.

The €13.4 million Series A, anchored by Inter IKEA Group, signals strong commercial confidence in Seprify’s technology. Inter IKEA’s involvement underscores a strategic push by large retailers to embed sustainable inputs into their supply chains. Validation at TRL 7‑9 demonstrates that the cellulose grades have moved beyond laboratory proof‑of‑concept to pilot‑scale production, with more than 100 potential customers already testing the material. Early commercial contracts in cosmetics, personal care, and food further de‑risk the business model and provide a runway for rapid scale‑up.

Looking ahead, Seprify’s funding will accelerate capacity expansion, quality assurance systems, and supplier qualification, positioning the company to serve high‑volume markets such as inks, coatings, and printed electronics. As circular‑economy mandates tighten and consumers demand greener products, a scalable, renewable pigment could become a new industry standard. Success would not only boost Seprify’s market share but also create a ripple effect, encouraging other material innovators to pursue bio‑based replacements for legacy chemicals.

Deal Summary

Swiss bio‑materials company Seprify announced a €13.4 million Series A round backed by Inter IKEA Group, with participation from Una Terra Early Growth Fund, Zürcher Kantonalbank, Cambridge Enterprise Ventures, Kickfund and other investors. The funding will be used to scale its cellulose‑based platform as a sustainable alternative to titanium dioxide across cosmetics, food, coatings and other applications.