Naturbeads

About Naturbeads

Naturbeads is a materials technology company focused on providing a sustainable, biodegradable alternative to plastic micro-beads. The company was founded in 2018 as a spin-out from the University of Bath by the late Professor Janet Scott, Professor Davide Mattia (CTO), and Dr. Giovanna Laudisio (CEO). The foundational technology, which converts cellulose into biodegradable microspheres, was developed over a decade of research by Professors Scott and Mattia at the university's Centre for Sustainable and Circular Technologies. Dr. Laudisio brings 25 years of experience in R&D, innovation management, and technology commercialization, holding a PhD in Materials Engineering and an MBA in Innovation Management. Naturbeads operates on a business-to-business (B2B) model, producing and supplying its cellulose microspheres to global manufacturers. The company's core product is a range of perfectly spherical, biodegradable cellulose beads that serve as a direct replacement for polluting primary microplastics. These beads are designed to offer the same performance and cost as their plastic counterparts. Naturbeads sources its cellulose from certified forestry or agricultural waste and utilizes a patented, energy-efficient manufacturing process that recycles solvents, minimizing environmental impact. The technology allows for precise control over particle size, porosity, and surface smoothness. The company serves a diverse range of industries, with applications for its microspheres successfully tested in cosmetics, personal care products, paints, coatings, adhesives, and packaging. Further applications are being explored in life sciences, such as carriers for enzyme immobilization in biocatalysis and as edible microcarriers for the cultured meat industry. Since its incorporation, Naturbeads has achieved significant milestones, including securing early funding from Innovate UK and Sky Ocean Ventures in 2019. The company has scaled from lab production to building two pilot plants and, after a £7.8 million Series A funding round in 2024, is constructing its first commercial production plant in Puglia, Italy, which is expected to be operational in 2025. The company actively collaborates with manufacturers to integrate its ingredients, responding to growing demand and regulations like the EU's 2023 ban on microplastics in certain products.