Elea & Lili

About Elea & Lili

Elea & Lili is a Finnish deep-tech biomaterials company that develops and commercializes a new class of cellulose-based superabsorbent materials designed to replace fossil-based polymers. The company was founded by CEO Tatu Miettinen and Dr. Miika Nikinmaa, emerging as a spinout from the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, which transferred over a decade of biomaterials research and a robust patent portfolio to the new entity. The inspiration for the company came from Miettinen's personal experiences, starting in 2017 with the birth of his first child, which made him aware of the environmental impact of diapers. This mission was solidified in 2019 following the medically complex birth of his daughter, Elea, which motivated him to create a sustainable impact for future generations.

Elea & Lili's core innovation is its patented Cellulose Super Absorbent (CSA™) technology, a microplastic-free and biodegradable alternative to conventional superabsorbent polymers (SAPs). SAPs are petroleum-based, non-biodegradable materials that are the primary absorbent component in products like diapers, feminine hygiene products, and are also used in agriculture for water retention. Elea & Lili's CSA™ is derived from cellulose, making it a sustainable option that doesn't compromise on performance and can absorb liquid at levels comparable to traditional SAPs. A key advantage is its compatibility with existing manufacturing processes, allowing for seamless integration without requiring significant overhauls of production lines. The company's business model operates as a biomaterials technology platform, aiming to replace an entire global material category rather than creating a niche eco-product.

The company targets two primary markets: hygiene and agriculture. In the hygiene sector, which includes a global diaper market projected to exceed $141 billion by 2030, CSA™ offers a biodegradable solution to the nearly 40 million tons of waste generated annually by disposable diapers. In agriculture, CSA™ provides a solution for soil water retention that biodegrades cleanly, addressing the accumulation of microplastics in farmland from petroleum-based SAPs and aligning with upcoming EU regulations restricting such plastics. In March 2026, Elea & Lili secured €2.5 million in seed funding led by Lifeline Ventures, with participation from Ikorni Invest Oy Ab and Baltiska Handels Sverige AB. This capital is intended to scale up pilot production, secure industrial partnerships, obtain regulatory approvals, and facilitate initial commercial launches in Europe and the U.S.