IKEA invests in cellulose platform to replace Titanium Dioxide in coatings, personal care

NETHERLANDS – Inter IKEA Group has invested in a €13.4 million (US$15.6m) Series A funding round for Swiss biomaterials start-up Seprify, supporting the commercial scale-up of its cellulose-based platform designed to replace titanium dioxide in coatings, cosmetics, and food applications.

The investment aims to help Seprify transition its technology from pilot validation to procurement-ready industrial supply.

By moving into large-scale production, the company expects manufacturers to shift from trial phases toward repeatable sourcing and long-term commercial agreements.

The move comes amid growing demand for bio-based alternatives to materials such as Titanium Dioxide, which is widely used as a whitening and opacity agent but has come under scrutiny due to its environmental footprint and regulatory challenges in certain markets.

According to Lukas Schertel, co-founder and CEO of Seprify, the funding will accelerate industrialization of the company’s cellulose technology.

“This funding enables us to focus on execution and scale,” Schertel said. “Our immediate priority is delivering consistent quality and reliable supply that meets the operational standards large industrial customers require.”

Initially, the company will target applications in cosmetics and personal care, including suncare products, as well as food and pet food ingredients.

In the longer term, Seprify plans to expand into higher-volume markets such as coatings, inks, and printed electronics.

Robert Carleke, Innovation Ventures manager at Inter IKEA Group, said the company is actively seeking alternatives to high-impact materials that can integrate into existing manufacturing and recycling systems.

“Seprify’s cellulose platform has reached a level of maturity that makes this a credible path to explore,” Carleke said.

“It shows potential not only for coatings and surface finishes but also as a scalable materials platform for industrial use.”

Seprify’s technology has reached Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 7–9, meaning the process has moved beyond laboratory research and is now being tested in operational environments with industry partners.

The company is currently working with more than 100 organizations across sectors including cosmetics, food, and coatings, with engagements ranging from active evaluations to early commercial supply agreements.

Among its flagship products are SilvaLuma for cosmetics and personal care applications and SilvaAlba designed as a food-grade replacement for titanium dioxide.

Other investors participating in the round include Una Terra Early Growth Fund, Zürcher Kantonalbank, Cambridge Enterprise Ventures, and Kickfund.

With the new capital, Seprify plans to scale production to hundreds of tonnes annually through manufacturing partners, expand commercial rollout across key markets, and develop engineering solutions for future industrial-scale capacity.

Industry observers note that such innovations are increasingly important as manufacturers seek sustainable material substitutes that meet both performance and environmental requirements across packaging, coatings, and consumer products.

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