Sparxell Secures €4.2 Million To Expand Plant-Based Colour Technology For Fashion And Textiles

The funding round was led by SWEN Capital Partners’ Blue Ocean 2 fund, with support from Alpha Star Capital and Cambridge Enterprise. The investment will help Sparxell move from pilot projects to large-scale manufacturing, aiming for tonne-scale production by 2026.

Dr Benjamin Droguet, Founder and CEO of Sparxell, says: “Our technology isn’t just an alternative it is here to stay because it delivers superior performance due to its nature-inspired features. This funding takes us from proof of concept to production and commercial launches.”

During 2025–2026, investment in bio-based colour, cellulose, and sustainable materials technologies has grown steadily, providing context for Sparxell’s pre-Series A funding.

In January 2026 Copenhagen-based Octarine Bio raised an additional €5 million in its Series A to develop natural pigments for textiles and cosmetics. In June 2025 Danish biotech Cellugy secured €8.1 million to scale cellulose based materials aimed at removing microplastics from personal care products. In April 2025, Finland’s Fiberdom raised €3.5 million to commercialise plastic-free wood-fibre materials.

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“We’re at an inflexion point. Brands are under pressure to eliminate synthetic toxins from their supply chains. Momentum is building in Europe around banning ‘forever chemicals’ such as PFAS. The EU microplastics ban is also now in force, while the FDA is reassessing synthetic colour additives,” adds Droguet.

Together, these funding rounds total approximately €16.6 million, highlighting strong European investment in scalable, bio-based alternatives to petrochemical pigments and materials.

Founded in 2023 by University of Cambridge scientists Dr Benjamin Droguet and Professor Silvia Vignolini, Sparxell develops a colour platform that produces natural pigments, inks, glitters, sequins, and films that are plastic-free, toxin-free, and fully biodegradable.

The company’s patented technology uses cellulose from wood pulp, arranging cellulose crystals to reflect specific light wavelengths and create plant-based structural colour, similar to the effect seen in butterfly wings. This approach removes the need for petroleum-based chemicals, synthetic dyes, heavy metals, and minerals.

Mélanie Le Guen, Investment Director, SWEN Capital Partners’ Blue Ocean strategy, shares: “Sparxell’s innovation is fully aligned with the ambition of our SWEN Blue Ocean 2 fund. By reinventing colour through a bio-based, biodegradable approach Sparxell offers a tangible response to a major environmental challenge while enabling global industries to transition toward safer and more sustainable practices. We are delighted to accompany them in this next phase of growth.”

Sparxell’s technology supports products including pigment powders, glitters, inks, sequins, and films for industries such as textiles, cosmetics, food and beverage, packaging, paints, coatings, and automotive. The company states its solution outperforms synthetic alternatives while reducing water and energy use, and eliminating microplastics and chemical pollution.

The textile industry releases around 1.5 million tonnes of toxic synthetic dyes into waterways each year. Unlike conventional dyes that remain in the environment and hinder recycling, Sparxell’s fully cellulose-based pigments are biodegradable and support circular economy recycling for textiles and packaging.

Earlier this year, Sparxell received a €1.9 million grant from the European Innovation Council (EIC). The company also partnered with British luxury brand Patrick McDowell and introduced commercially available plant-based textile inks with Positive Materials.

Alexandre Cadain, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Alpha Star Capital, adds: “We were drawn to Sparxell’s method and leadership: Instead of trying to retrofit sustainability into existing chemistry, they rebuilt colour from first principles using a natural structure. It offers a clear answer to a long-standing industry challenge, and it works at a scale that matters.”

About Sparxell

Sparxell develops innovative plant based colourants inspired by nature, creating the next generation of colours and effects. Their sustainable, biodegradable pigments offer high performance for textiles cosmetics, packaging and more, delivering vibrant, chemical-free alternatives that reduce environmental impact and support a circular economy.