Germany’s Lignopure raises €2.4M to remove microplastics and harmful chemicals from home care products

Hamburg-based Lignopure, a pioneer in using lignin for sustainable high-quality home care products, announced that it secured €2.4M in equity funding. 

The round was led by NBank Capital Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, with contributions from Niedersachsen Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG, RaakWaark Kaptaal, a family office, and existing shareholders.

Viktoria Vorwachs, responsible investment manager at NBank Capital, says, “Lignopure is a young company that has inspired and impressed us with its technology and the spirit of the founders. With their professionalism and strategic orientation, the founders manage to inspire customers and investors.”

“We are very much looking forward to a good and successful cooperation! In line with our portfolio strategy, we want to actively support the transformation away from fossil fuels and microplastics to bio-based raw materials.”

What does Lignopure offer?

Founded by Daniela Arango, Joana Gil Chavez and Wienke Reynolds, Lignopure focuses on the sustainable conversion and recycling of lignin, a natural plant polymer, as a bio-based alternative to fossil chemicals like microplastics.

The company aims to replace harmful chemicals in various industries by developing lignin-based ingredients and partnering with biorefineries. Lignopure’s processed lignin is used in cosmetics, dietary supplements, and vegan leather production, promoting eco-friendly solutions across multiple sectors.

Founded in 2019 by three engineers as a spin-off from the Hamburg University of Technology, Lignopure now has a production facility in Buxtehude. 

Following its initial funding, the company developed “LignoBase”, the first multifunctional lignin-based ingredient for the cosmetics sector, reaching market maturity in 2023. “LignoBase” can replace harmful ingredients in sunscreens while providing the same protection. 

In 2022, Lignopure commissioned its first GMP-compliant plant for lignin conversion, capable of recycling 90,000 kilograms of lignin annually.

Capital utilisation

Lignopure says, “We are very pleased with the trust of our investors. This financing allows us to strengthen the company’s global presence, lay the foundation for global production with international biorefineries and further expand our product portfolio.”

“With this funding, we are taking a significant step closer to our mission to decarbonise the chemical industry and make lignin a real alternative to harmful ingredients.”