Sonichem secures £1.2m pre-Series A funding from ACF Investors to advance biorefinery plans

UK-based green technology company Sonichem has secured £1.2m in pre-Series A funding from returning backer ACF Investors. The company will direct the capital towards advancing its proprietary ultrasound technology, bolstering research and intellectual property generation, and finalising plans for a commercial biorefinery plant in Northern England.

Founded in 2007, the East Midlands enterprise uses a patented combination of chemistry and ultrasound to break down low-value woody biomass, such as sawmill sawdust, into natural sugars, cellulose, and lignin. These renewable fractions serve as sustainable replacements for petroleum-derived chemicals across the materials, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical sectors.

Managing partner Tim Mills noted the rapidly expanding market for sustainable biochemicals as a primary driver for the investment. Sonichem is currently scaling its commercial operations in anticipation of a future Series A round to support the construction of its flagship biorefinery facility.