Shellworks raises $15m in Series A funding led by Alter Equity to scale biomaterial production
The London-based biomaterials startup secured $15m from investors including Alter Equity and JamJar Investments to expand its manufacturing network in the United States and Europe.
≈ £11.2M at $1 = £0.7480 on 4 Mar 2026
London-based Shellworks produces Vivomer, a bio-based material manufactured by microbe fermentation to replace traditional petroleum plastics.
Shellworks has secured $15m in Series A funding led by Alter Equity to scale production of its plastic alternative, Vivomer. The round also drew participation from Nat Friedman through NFDG, JamJar Investments, and returning backers Founder Collective, LocalGlobe, and Third Sphere.
The London-based biomaterials firm intends to direct the capital towards expanding its manufacturing footprint across the United States and Europe. The company focuses on technologies such as blow moulding to support large-scale packaging production while reducing transportation emissions.
Founded in 2019, Shellworks has spent six years developing its bio-based material using fermented second-generation feedstocks like used cooking oil. The startup states that Vivomer has reached cost parity with materials such as aluminium and glass at a production volume of roughly 5m units, enabling major consumer brands to transition away from petroleum plastics without prohibitive expenses.
From the founder
"For too long, the conversation around sustainable materials has been dominated by the perception that they’re too expensive for mass adoption. We’re proving that’s no longer true. At just a fraction of plastic’s scale, we’re already cost-competitive with alternatives like glass and aluminium. As we scale further, we’ll only get more competitive."
Insiya Jafferjee
CEO and co-founder at Shellworks
Investor perspective
"Shellworks represents exactly the kind of innovation we need to see in the materials economy. They’re not just creating a better material, they’re building the infrastructure to make it accessible at scale. That’s what will drive real change and contribute to the plastic-free economy we are supporting at alter equity."
Félix Mounier
Alter Equity
Use of funds
- 01Expand into international markets
- 02Build out infrastructure
Investors
Categories
About the company
Shellworks
Shellworks develops microbe-made biomaterials to replace traditional plastics.