UK-based biodegradable materials company Xampla has secured $7 million in funding, bringing its total investment raised so far to $17.6 million. The latest funding round saw backing from existing investors, including Amadeus Capital Partners, Horizon Ventures, Cambridge Angels, Cambridge Enterprise, and Martlet Capital, as well as new investor CIECH Ventures, part of an international chemical group employing over 3,000 people.
The funds will be used to expand production of Xampla’s plant-based materials, which are biodegradable and home compostable, helping major brands move away from single-use plastics. The investment will also support the expansion of Xampla’s consumer brand, Morro, into new markets.
Morro materials, developed over 15 years of research at the University of Cambridge, offer high strength, grease and oxygen barrier properties, and can be used to create a range of products, including sustainable packaging solutions, microcapsules, and coatings. The recent funding will enable Xampla to expand the applications of Morro Coating, which replaces plastic-based coatings in takeaway packaging, sachets, and cups, following a partnership with the 2M Group of Companies.
Xampla will also explore future applications of Morro Edible Film and Morro Soluble Film, and enhance the fortification and stability of vitamins and nutrients found in food and drink through the expansion of Morro Nutri. Collaboration with key partners will also drive down the cost of sustainable materials while maintaining high quality standards.
“This new funding will support the expansion of our Morro material into new territories and new applications and enable us to make a big impact,” said CEO Alexandra French. “We are determined to lead the way towards a future where natural materials thrive, and traditional plastics become a thing of the past.”
