Sparxell, a Cambridge, UK-based plant-based colourant technology company, raised a €1.9M grant from the European Innovation Council (EIC).
The company intends to allocate the amount to expand operations and its development efforts.
Founded in 2023 by University of Cambridge scientists Dr. Benjamin Droguet and Professor Silvia Vignolini, Sparxell leverages biodegradable pigments to create colour solutions, without fossil-based chemicals. The technology transforms cellulose from readily available materials, including wood pulp and agricultural waste, into colour solutions that are completely non-toxic and biodegradable.
In fashion, the technology reduces energy and water consumption compared to conventional textile dyeing and printing. It also eliminates toxicity in human-contact applications such as cosmetics and food applications, while enabling large-scale recycling and circularity across industries, such as packaging and paint.
The company has established itself in the luxury market, connecting with heritage brands of the luxury fashion conglomerate including Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Givenchy, and Loewe.
Last autumn, Sparxell expanded its Cambridge headquarters capacity, enabling kilogram-scale production to accelerate innovation and meet increasing market demand.
FinSMEs
22/05/2025