Alkelux

About Alkelux

Alkelux, a Sardinian biotech firm founded in 2024, operates at the intersection of the circular and green economies by converting industrial licorice processing waste into a patented, antimicrobial bio-additive. The company's genesis stems from research initiated in 2022 by CEO and co-founder Matteo Poddighe during his PhD in Chemical Sciences and Technologies. While investigating nanomaterials for antiviral applications against Covid, he discovered a unique antimicrobial structure in a licorice component, which became the foundation for the company's patented technology.

The founding team was established in Sassari, Italy, by Poddighe, the technology's inventor, and Davide Sanna, who brings expertise in industrial applications. Sanna, a chemist with a background in sustainable materials and a founder of other university spin-offs, collaborated with Poddighe to focus on valorizing licorice waste. The team was later expanded to include Carlo Usai as CFO and Emina Bilanovic as CMO to manage the commercial aspects of the venture. This core team combines deep scientific knowledge with entrepreneurial experience in materials science and sustainability.

Alkelux targets the food packaging industry with a B2B business model, offering its bio-additive as a powder that can be integrated into existing packaging production lines without requiring modifications to the equipment. This powder is designed to be metal-free, water-soluble, and biodegradable. The primary benefit for clients, which include producers of plastic films and compostable materials, is the extension of shelf-life for perishable foods like strawberries, bread, and blueberries by up to a week, thereby tackling the significant issue of food waste. A distinctive feature of the additive is its photo-activity; its antimicrobial efficacy against bacteria, fungi, and viruses is enhanced when exposed to light. The company plans to bring the technology to market by 2026 and is pursuing certifications for European, Asian, and South American markets.