Greenitio Secures $1.5m to Replace Microplastics with Mushroom-Based Polymers
- Marc Violo
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Too long to read? Go for the highlights below.
Singapore biotech Greenitio raises $1.5m seed funding to commercialise mushroom-derived chitosan biopolymers as alternatives to petrochemicals in cosmetics
Company's green chemistry platform reduces carbon footprint by 87% whilst producing materials three times cheaper than comparable bio-based alternatives
EU set to ban over 500 microplastic ingredients by 2027, with 90% lacking viable replacements, creating significant market opportunity
The cosmetics industry faces a reckoning. With the European Union poised to ban over 500 microplastic and polymer ingredients by 2027—90% of which currently have no viable alternatives—companies are scrambling for sustainable solutions. Singapore-based Greenitio believes it has found the answer in an unlikely source: mushrooms.
The biotech startup has secured $1.5 million in seed funding, led by SGInnovate with participation from Better Bite Ventures and Silverstrand Capital, to commercialise its patented biopolymer platform. The technology transforms mushroom-derived chitosan into high-performance materials that can directly replace plastic ingredients in cosmetics, personal care, and specialty chemical products.
The Science Behind the Mushrooms
Founded in 2021 by CEO Amit Kumar Khan and CTO Susmita Roy, Greenitio has developed what it calls a green chemistry platform that operates in aqueous conditions at ambient temperatures without toxic chemicals or organic solvents. The approach represents a significant departure from conventional polymer manufacturing, which typically requires harsh chemicals and generates substantial waste.
The backbone of Greenitio's technology lies in fungal chitosan, a biopolymer conventionally derived from shellfish exoskeletons but increasingly sourced from mushrooms. Greenitio's mushroom-derived chitosan comprises 50-99% of its biopolymers, with the remainder consisting of functional plant-based ingredients. The company claims its materials are 100% bio-based and can degrade naturally in open-air conditions.
Through controlled green chemistry processes, Greenitio functionalises the chitosan to create derivatives that behave differently from native chitosan. COO Didier Vermeiren explains that the company has developed materials that work across both water- and oil-based systems, acting as true drop-in replacements for petrochemical polymers.
The environmental credentials are compelling. Greenitio's water-based production process eliminates chemical waste and lowers the carbon footprint by 87% compared to conventional chemistry. Perhaps more crucially for commercial adoption, the process delivers ingredients roughly three times cheaper than comparable bio-based alternatives.
The company has developed three flagship biopolymer lines, all registered with international cosmetic ingredient databases. Chitosola enhances suncare and skincare formulations, Chitobela targets anti-ageing and anti-acne applications in luxury products, whilst Chitobe adds nourishing effects and UV protection. These materials boast cationic and tunable properties, offering SPF-boosting, film-forming performance, water resistance, anti-inflammatory properties, and active ingredient delivery capabilities.
Market Forces and Regulatory Pressure
The timing appears opportune. The plastic industry accounts for 3.4% of global emissions—a share projected to increase as production triples by 2060. With 430 million tonnes of plastic waste generated annually and only 9% recycled, regulatory pressure is mounting. Single-use plastics have been banned in the UK and US states like California, whilst the EU's comprehensive microplastic ban looms.
The Regulatory Hurdle
However, regulatory approval remains a significant hurdle. Any new cosmetic ingredient must undergo rigorous safety testing and registration before market entry. This involves compiling comprehensive safety and technical dossiers covering toxicology and stability data for submission to regional authorities such as China's IECIC, the US Personal Care Products Council, or Europe's REACH programme.
Scaling Production and Market Strategy
Greenitio currently operates from Singapore with R&D, laboratory, and pilot production facilities capable of supplying from grammes to kilogrammes for customer testing. For industrial scale production, the company partners with a toll manufacturer in India, providing capacity to scale towards 25 tonnes monthly. To serve growing European demand, Greenitio plans to establish a subsidiary in the Benelux region, leveraging the area's central location and established chemical ecosystem.
The startup claims competitive advantages over existing alternatives, particularly on pricing. Khan notes that whilst their biopolymers are specialty ingredients, they are priced to compete with both synthetic petrochemicals and costly natural alternatives. The green chemistry approach allows use of conventional bioreactors without specialty equipment required by many biotech startups, enabling cost-effective production.
The company is already developing bespoke derivatives for clients, with testing agreements in place with global beauty and personal care companies and major ingredient suppliers.
As regulatory frameworks tighten and consumer demand for sustainable alternatives grows, Greenitio's mushroom-based approach offers a practical solution to an increasingly pressing industry challenge. The question now is whether the company can scale production and navigate regulatory approval processes quickly enough to capitalise on the approaching microplastic ban.