Shellworks, which makes a sustainable alternative to plastic packaging and works with the likes of Wild, has secured $15m (£11.2m) in a Series A funding round to expand its global production network and accelerate expansion into the US and the EU wellness market.
The round was led by French VC firm Alter Equity, with participation from JamJar Investments and continued support from existing investors.
Founded in 2019, London-based Shellworks develops and manufactures Vivomer, a bio-based material made using microbes to ferment second generation feedstocks, such as used cooking oil.
The plastic replacement, which is biodegradable, offered major brands the opportunity to transition to sustainable packaging at a competitive price, the business said.
Shellworks added it had reached the milestone of matching the cost of conventional materials, such as aluminium and glass, despite currently operating at a fraction of the scale.
“This milestone addresses the industry’s primary barrier to adoption and positions Shellworks as a viable long-term partner for major brands seeking to transition away from petroleum-based packaging,” it said.
Shellworks already works with several personal care brands, such as Wild, which is now owned by Unilever, and Pamela Anderson’s beauty brand, Sonsie Skin.
The new capital will enable Shellworks to expand strategically into the US and the EU and target the growing wellness sector by establishing regional production capabilities. The company is building a global production network, with facilities in the UK, Europe and the US.
“For too long, the conversation around sustainable materials has been dominated by the perception that they’re too expensive for mass adoption,” said Shellworks CEO and co-founder Insiya Jafferjee.
“We’re proving that’s no longer true. At just a fraction of plastic’s scale, we’re already cost-competitive with alternatives like glass and aluminium. As we scale further, we’ll only get more competitive.”
Wild co-founder and CEO Freddy Ward added: “Vivomer is at the forefront of sustainable material innovation and has helped Wild deliver on our mission.
“Their desire to drive change and solve problems has been amazing to watch, and their passion for a better packaging future is infectious.”
Félix Mounier from Alter Equity said: “Shellworks represents exactly the kind of innovation we need to see in the materials economy.
“They’re not just creating a better material, they’re building the infrastructure to make it accessible at scale. That’s what will drive real change and contribute to the plastic-free economy we are supporting at Alter Equity.”
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