Naturbeads secures €4.1 million in EU funding to curb microplastic pollution with biodegradable microbeads

Naturbeads, a Bath-based sustainability materials startup developing a natural alternative to microplastics, has received €4.1 million in EU funding to help establish and support its production plant in southern Italy.

The grant is part of the European Structural Fund, an EU funding programme that helps finance bespoke economic and social development projects in selected areas. Benefiting from a young and educated local workforce, the Puglia region is increasingly recognised for its strong focus on business development, innovation, and digital transition.

“Due to its versatility and durability, tiny microspheres of plastic are a popular ingredient in a range of everyday products. For example, they’re routinely found in makeup that stays on your skin for only a few hours … but when you wash your face, they end up in the drain and from there in the oceans where they last for centuries. “Tiny particles of plastic are found in our food, our bodies – they’ve even been discovered in Antarctica – and are putting at risk both our personal health and the health of the planet,” commented Giovanna Laudisio, CEO of Naturbeads.

Founded in 2018 by Professor Davide Mattia, the late Professor Janet Scott, and CEO Giovanna Laudisio as a spin-out from the University of Bath, Naturbeads aims to curb the use of harmful microplastics in everyday products by developing a biodegradable, cellulose-based alternative. 

The company uses a patented process to refine cellulose, a natural material that is the building block of plants, into perfectly round microspheres. 

“We’re nature’s fix to using microplastics as we tackle the problem at source while maintaining the same performance and cost as plastics. The use of our innovative technology isn’t restricted to cosmetic goods. It can be employed in multiple industries to eliminate the use of microplastics in making paints, coatings, detergents, adhesives, softeners  –  even biomedical devices,” said Laudisio. 

Naturbeads predicts that upcoming regulatory changes will increase demand for sustainable microplastic alternatives as new EU restrictions take effect. For instance, a ban on ‘rinse-off’ cosmetic products like scrubs, shower gels, and shampoos will start on October 17, 2027. A ban on ‘leave-on’ products such as lotions and creams will begin on October 17, 2029. Additionally, new regulations for lip, nail, and makeup products will be implemented starting October 17, 2035.

The startup is commercialising a manufacturing process for the continuous production of cellulose microbeads. Its cellulose microbeads are being tested in cosmetic and personal care products, paints and coatings, adhesives, packaging and many other industrial and consumer applications. 

The company claims that its cellulose beads are 100% biodegradable and show the same performance as plastic microbeads. It built its first production plant in Italy to launch its product in 2026.

“We’ve already reached a key milestone by successfully starting production in our plant. Our current focus is to complete the startup of different sections of the plant so that in June we can ramp up production and start serving our customers around that world that are waiting for our product,” added Laudisio. 

The fresh funding will be used to partially reimburse Naturbeads for the construction of a new production plant in Puglia, as well as supporting R&D costs while it gears up to full commercialisation over the next two years.

Naturbeads secured its first investment in 2019 and, in 2024, raised a Series A funding round of €8.9 million (£7.8 million), led by St Andrews-based Eos Advisory. 

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