Bacteria make cellulose "3D printing", custom products in 14 days, British startup receives $4.1 million in angel round financing
UK-based biomaterials startup Modern Synthesis has announced that it has raised $4.1 million in seed funding to support its microbial textile platform aimed at making the fashion industry more sustainable.
The bulk of Modern Synthesis' seed funding will be used to build its pilot facility, which will allow the company to produce more material.
The planned site in London will feature a laboratory, as well as sampling and pilot production capacity. It is expected to be operational in the third quarter of 2022.
The funding will also enable the company to simultaneously build out its team to increase production capacity.
"Our goal is to bring these materials to the world as quickly, broadly and responsibly as possible. To do this, we need to leverage as many R&D resources as possible to accelerate this process," said Jen, co-founder and CEO of the company Say.
Modern Synthesis' microbial textile technology uses bacteria to convert sugars in agricultural waste into nanocellulose, a biodegradable material valued for its abundance and strength. The goal is to replace materials derived from animals and petrochemicals, helping the fashion industry reduce its carbon footprint.
The startup's "microbial weaving" process mimics the warp and weft techniques of traditional weaving, producing customizable biomaterials in about 10 to 14 days.
