The scientists at Lignopure have developed a unique technology to process waste materials from the pulp and bioethanol industry and use them to replace harmful ingredients in our everyday products. The startup was founded at the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), works together with the Institute of Thermal Process Engineering and is supported by the Startup Port. Recently, Lignopure has raised new growth capital for its innovative bio-based ingredients.
As part of their research at Hamburg University of Technology, PhD students Joana Gil and Wienke Reynolds have developed ingredients based entirely on lignin. These can be used in cosmetics, 3D printing or as a basis for insulating materials, among other things. Their start-up Lignopure, founded in 2019, is now a leader in the utilisation of lignin as a sustainable raw material in high-quality applications. The company recently raised around 2.4 million euros: The financing round is led by NBank Capital Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH. Other investors include Niedersachsen Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG, business angels, a family office and the existing shareholders.
‘Lignopure is a young company that inspired and impressed us with its technology and the spirit of its founders,’ explains Viktoria Vorwachs, Investment Manager at NBank Capital. ‘The founders have managed to inspire customers and investors with their professionalism and strategic focus. We are very much looking forward to a good and successful collaboration! In line with our portfolio strategy, we want to actively support the transformation away from fossil-based ingredients and microplastics towards bio-based raw materials.’
Lignopure focuses primarily on life science applications: The first commercial product is the natural, multifunctional cosmetic ingredient LignoBase, which is produced in the company’s own commercial demonstration plant. The patented core technology was initially developed at the TUHH and then officially taken over, further developed and scaled up by Lignopure. Since October 2018, the start-up has been receiving start-up advice and has been able to acquire funding such as the InnoRampUp programme from the Hamburg Investment and Development Bank. In addition, the start-up has already received several awards and has been able to announce several sales cooperations.
‘From the first days of our seed investment until today, everyone at Lignopure has worked hard to bring our natural, bio-based solutions to the global market. It is therefore very satisfying to see the first successes. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Startup Port for their support and advice in developing the company,’ explains Wienke Reynolds. The start-up is planning to expand its product range and further refine its production processes. The aim is to use the company’s own Lignopure plant to offer high-quality, lignin-based solutions for a wide range of industries in the life sciences sector.
