Sparxell, the University of Cambridge “spin-out” supported by LVMH and the pinoeer of the world’s first 100 per cent plant-based colourant, has received a US $ 2.15 million grant from the European Innovation Council (EIC).
The funding will let Sparxell scale up to tonne-level manufacturing, which is a big milestone in the company’s ‘mission to transform the US $ 48 billion global colourants market’ by providing high-performing, biodegradable dye substitutes.
According to Dr. Benjamin Droguet, Sparxell’s creator and CEO, the company will be able to overcome significant technological obstacles considerably earlier in the development process and speed its manufacturing scale-up thanks to this European Innovation Council support.
Following 25 financed pilots with international companies, entry into LVMH’s “La Maison des Startups” accelerator, and commercial demand across the fashion, cosmetics, and packaging industries, Sparxell has been gaining traction since “spinning out” of the University of Cambridge in 2023.
Sparxell claims that their biodegradable pigments, which don’t include any chemicals derived from fossil fuels, produce colourant results that are superior to those of synthetic counterparts.
When compared to traditional textile dyeing and printing, the process dramatically lowers energy and water usage in the fashion industry.
