Delft-based startup Foamlab has secured €3 million in growth funding to accelerate the development of sustainable foam materials made from bacterial cellulose, aiming to replace fossil-based plastics across multiple industries.
The round was led by ICOS Capital, with participation from Value Factory Ventures, DOEN Ventures, Capricorn Industrial Biotech Fund, and TTT Green Tech, managed by SHIFT Invest.
Scaling Sustainable Alternatives To Plastic
Founded in 2024 by Jeroen van Rotterdam and Elvin Karana, the company is developing high-performance foams using bacterial cellulose—a renewable material produced through microbial fermentation.
The new funding will support the construction of a pilot facility, expand production capacity, and accelerate the commercial rollout of its materials.
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From Research To Real-World Applications
Foamlab originated from research at Delft University of Technology and is now translating that innovation into scalable industrial solutions.
Its materials are designed to replace traditional oil-based foams in sectors such as construction, packaging, furniture, and fashion, offering a biodegradable and compostable alternative without compromising performance.
Customisable, High-Performance Materials
What sets Foamlab apart is its ability to engineer materials at the nanoscale through microbial biofabrication. This allows precise control over properties such as strength, flexibility, acoustics, and appearance.
The result is a versatile material range—from soft, textile-like foams to more rigid, structural applications—tailored to different industrial needs.
Meeting Growing Demand For Circular Materials
As industries face increasing pressure to reduce environmental impact, demand for sustainable material alternatives is rising rapidly.
Foamlab’s approach not only reduces reliance on fossil resources but also supports circular production models, enabling companies to adopt more sustainable supply chains.
Investors highlight the company’s potential to address a major global challenge: replacing conventional plastics with scalable, bio-based solutions.
Moving Toward Commercialisation
With strong backing from impact-focused investors, Foamlab is now entering a critical scale-up phase, working closely with early customers and industry partners to bring its materials to market.
About Foamlab
Foamlab is a Netherlands-based materials startup developing bio-based foams from bacterial cellulose. Its technology enables the production of lightweight, durable, and fully compostable materials designed to replace fossil-based plastics across industries, supporting a more sustainable and circular materials economy.
