UK sustainability startup Naturbeads has secured €4.1 million in EU funding to accelerate production of its biodegradable alternative to microplastics. Ahead of World Earth Day tomorrow, this comes as regulatory pressure and industry demand for sustainable materials continue to grow.
The Bath-based company will use the funding to support its first production plant in southern Italy, which is currently undergoing stress testing ahead of commercial production expected to begin in June. The facility marks a major step toward scaling a technology that’s designed to replace plastic microparticles in everyday products.
Tackling Microplastics At the Source
Naturbeads, a spin-out from the University of Bath, has developed a patented process that transforms cellulose – the natural building block of plants – into perfectly round microspheres. These can be used as a direct replacement for plastic microbeads commonly found in cosmetics, detergents, paints and coatings.
Microplastics have become a growing environmental concern, particularly in products that are designed to be washed off, like body scrubs and shampoos. Once rinsed away, the particles enter waterways and can persist in ecosystems for not only years but decades on end. Naturbeads’ plant-based alternative is fully biodegradable while maintaining similar performance characteristics to traditional plastic particles.
CEO Giovanna Laudisio said the company is focused on eliminating microplastic pollution at the source while delivering a scalable solution that industries can adopt without compromising on cost or functionality.
Scaling Production in Italy
The €4.1 million grant will partially reimburse the construction of Naturbeads’ new production facility in Puglia, Italy, while also supporting research and development as the company moves toward full commercialisation over the next two years.
The funding comes through the European Structural Fund, which supports economic development and innovation projects across selected regions. Puglia has increasingly positioned itself as a hub for manufacturing and innovation, with access to a skilled workforce and a growing focus on industrial transition.
Naturbeads has already begun production at the plant, with the current phase focused on testing different sections of the facility before ramping up output. Once it’s fully operational, the company plans to begin serving customers globally, including ingredient manufacturers and cosmetics brands already working with the startup.
Regulation Is Driving Demand
The funding arrives at a time when regulatory changes are expected to accelerate demand for alternatives to microplastics. New EU rules restricting the use of plastic microparticles in cosmetics will begin rolling out over the next decade, starting with rinse-off products in 2027, followed by leave-on cosmetics in 2029 and makeup-related products in 2035.
These changes are pushing manufacturers to find sustainable replacements that can match the performance of plastics. Naturbeads is positioning its cellulose-based microspheres as a drop-in solution that works across multiple industries.
While cosmetics are an early focus, the company says the technology can also be applied to paints, coatings, adhesives, detergents, softeners and even biomedical devices. This broader application potential could significantly expand the addressable market as sustainability requirements tighten.
From Research To Commercial Scale
Naturbeads has spent years developing its manufacturing process, which enables continuous production of biodegradable microbeads at scale. The Italian facility represents the startup’s first major step into commercial manufacturing.
The company says it has already reached a key milestone by successfully starting production at the plant. The next phase involves completing system testing and increasing output ahead of full-scale operations.
With customers already waiting for supply, the funding provides critical support as Naturbeads transitions from mere R&D to commercial deployment.
As industries face increasing pressure to remove microplastics from products, startups like Naturbeads are moving into position to provide scalable alternatives. With new production capacity coming online and regulatory tailwinds building, the company is now focused on turning its plant-based microspheres into a mainstream replacement for plastic.
