Swiss startup Seprify has raised €13.4 million to scale the production of a cellulose-based alternative to titanium dioxide. This compound is widely used as an industrial whitener, but its use is increasingly restricted due to environmental and health concerns.

Seprify's Alternative

Seprify draws inspiration from nature, specifically a small beetle from Southeast Asia, the Cyphochilus, which produces a very white surface not through pigments, but through a special microscopic structure. The company aims to replicate this mechanism using cellulose, a more sustainable and biocompatible material.

Support from IKEA

Seprify's backers include IKEA, the Swedish furniture giant, demonstrating a growing interest in innovative and environmentally friendly materials. IKEA's investment underscores the importance of finding sustainable alternatives to traditional materials in the manufacturing industry.