UK-based Shellworks, the developer of Vivomer — a plastic alternative made through fermentation — has raised EUR 13 million (around USD 15 million) to accelerate commercialization and establish its material as a benchmark in the packaging industry, in particular into the US and the EU markets.

The round was led by Alter Equity, Paris-based impact pioneer investment fund, with participation from Nat Friedman (NFDG) and JamJar, alongside continued support from existing investors including Founder Collective, Local Globe, and Third Sphere.

Shellworks’ innovative proprietary material, Vivomer, is made by using microbes to ferment second generation feedstocks like used cooking oil. According to Shellworks, the result is a true plastic replacement that is stable in use but will biodegrade completely when disposed of. Guaranteed to be free of toxic additives, phthalates, PFAS, and BPA, the innovation has enabled the company to secure partnerships with leading consumer brands, including Phil’s, and Wild, the sustainable personal care company in Unilever’s portfolio.

A “cost-competitive” material

"For too long, the conversation around sustainable materials has been dominated by the perception that they’re too expensive for mass adoption," said Insiya Jafferjee, CEO and co-founder of Shellworks. "We’re proving that’s no longer true. At just a fraction of plastic’s scale, we’re already cost-competitive with alternatives like glass and aluminum. As we scale further, we’ll only get more competitive."

Founded in 2019 by former students of the Royal College of Art and Imperial College London, Insiya Jafferjee and Amir Afshar, Shellworks is now one of the few companies in the bioplastics sector to have successfully scaled to industrial production with a competitive offering. Its advantage lies in a less energy-intensive manufacturing process and a formulation compatible with two standard plastics-processing methods: injection molding and blow molding. Shellworks has already produced more than 5 million units since its inception. Nearly 25 clients of varying sizes have already placed their trust in the company.

The new capital will enable Shellworks to expand into the United States and in the European Union by establishing regional blow molding production capabilities that reduce carbon footprints and strengthen supply chain resilience.

"Shellworks represents exactly the kind of innovation we need to see in the materials economy," said Félix Mounier from Alter Equity. "They’re not just creating a better material, they’re building the infrastructure to make it accessible at scale. That’s what will drive real change and contribute to the plastic-free economy we are supporting at alter equity."