Cambridge bioplastic spinout Xampla raises $7m

The Cambridge spinout’s Morro coatings, films and microcapsules are made from sustainable plant feedstocks including pea protein. According to Xampla, this makes Morro materials fully biodegradable, home compostable and food safe, providing high strength as well as grease and oxygen barrier properties. Its edible films are currently used by meal-kit retailer Gousto, with other materials adopted by skincare brand Elemis and drinks giant Britvic.  

The new funding round included existing backers Amadeus Capital Partners, Horizon Ventures, Cambridge Angels, Cambridge Enterprise, and Martlet Capital. New investors include CIECH Ventures, part of an international developing chemical group employing over 3,000 people. The $7m injection takes Xampla’s total investment to date to $17.6m.

“This investment is a testament to the shared commitment of our backers, who can see that Xampla products are the gateway to a new era in materials sustainability,” Xampla CEO, Alexandra French, said in a statement. “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. We are determined to lead the way towards a future where natural materials thrive, and traditional plastics become a thing of the past.”