Northern Gritstone invests in bioplastics developer Floreon
Floreon has developed a range of bioplastics made from plants, including the world’s first low-energy, non-oil based high-performance bioplastic, which acts as a drop-in replacement for existing materials.
Northern Gritstone has made a £2 million Series A investment into Floreon, a company that has developed the world’s first low-energy, non-oil based, high-performance bioplastic.
Floreon has developed a range of bioplastics made from plants, including corn and sugar cane, with performance comparable to Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), the common plastic polymer widely used in automotive, electronics and electrical appliances and toys.
Based in Hull, Floreon was founded by the entrepreneur Shaun Chatterton in 2011. CTO Dr Andrew Gill joined in 2013, having completed his PhD and a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the University of Sheffield.
With over 99% of the world’s plastics produced from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels, bioplastics offer a sustainable alternative. The global bioplastics and biopolymers market is projected to reach $27.3 billion by 2027.
Floreon’s bioplastics material:
Offers better performance than existing bioplastics for use in high-value engineering
Is the first halogen-free bioplastic to achieve UL94V-0 flammability rating
Can reduce carbon emissions by up to 7x compared with oil-based alternatives
Unlike other bioplastic products, Floreon’s materials have uniquely achieved the performance standards required for high-value applications and mass production. Through using plants to take carbon dioxide directly from the air and convert it into sugars that can be used as feedstock for the material, Floreon’s bioplastics production can reduce carbon emissions by up to 7x compared to traditional oil-based plastics.
Floreon’s innovations include:
Therma-Tech, the world’s first bioplastic to achieve UL94V-0 flammability certification, allowing its use in applications such as home electronics, automotives and construction.
Dura-Tech, an ideal alternative to ABS when fire resistance is not needed.
Bio-Tech, an industrially compostable version ideal for food packaging and agricultural applications.
Northern Gritstone’s investment will allow Floreon to expand its team and bring its products to market.
Shaun Chatterton, Founder and Chair of Floreon said: “Everyday oil-based plastics are contributing to the global environmental crisis. Our vision is to offer brands an alternative product and through this transform the global plastics market. We are delighted to partner with Northern Gritstone. Their support, experience and investment will enable us to develop our team and deliver our commercial strategy.”
Duncan Johnson, CEO of Northern Gritstone said: “Floreon has developed an innovative and unique technology that offers producers a genuine route to reducing the environmental impact of their plastic products. This truly fits into Northern Gritstone’s ‘Profit with Purpose’ philosophy helping to create the world class businesses of tomorrow from the world class science that exists in the North of England today.”