Xampla, a materials innovation company based in the United Kingdom, has announced a significant milestone in its mission to eliminate single-use plastics. With a fresh injection of $14 million in private capital, the company is poised to accelerate the development and deployment of its plant-based materials that offer a sustainable alternative to some of the most polluting forms of plastic. The funding round was led by Emerald Technology Ventures and supported by BGF, one of the UK and Ireland’s largest growth capital investors, along with Matterwave Ventures from Munich. Existing backers Amadeus Capital Partners and Horizons Ventures also returned to participate in the round.
This investment marks a significant step forward for Xampla, which has spent years developing Morro, a proprietary material made entirely from regenerative plant proteins. Morro is designed to mimic the performance of plastic without any of its environmental drawbacks. It is biodegradable, home compostable, and free from harmful chemicals like PFAS. Unlike traditional plastic coatings, Morro maintains the recyclability of cardboard packaging while providing essential barrier properties against grease, oxygen, and moisture. This makes it ideal for use in food packaging, where performance and sustainability often conflict.
With global plastic production projected to reach one billion tons annually and less than ten percent of all plastic ever produced being recycled, the urgency for alternatives has never been greater. The environmental toll is staggering, with an estimated eight billion tonnes of plastic and microplastics now circulating in the global ecosystem.
Xampla’s approach is not only environmentally responsible but also commercially viable. The company has already secured partnerships with major players in the packaging and foodservice industries, including 2M Group of Companies, Huhtamaki, and Transcend Packaging. Through these collaborations, Morro materials have been used to replace plastic coatings on boxes distributed by Just Eat Takeaway and Bunzl Catering Supplies. These early deployments demonstrate the material’s ability to meet industry standards while offering a cleaner, more sustainable alternative.
Beyond packaging, Xampla is exploring a wide range of applications for Morro. Its soluble films are being commercialized through global partnerships and have the potential to replace polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films in products like dishwasher tablets and laundry pods. These films are food-safe and can even be used as edible packaging for single-serve items such as sweets and soups. The company is also working with leading consumer goods brands and fragrance houses to replace plastic microencapsulates, which are commonly used to deliver scents and active ingredients in home care and beauty products. These microencapsulates often persist in the environment and contribute to microplastic pollution, making Morro a compelling alternative.
What sets Xampla apart is its commitment to using abundant, renewable feedstocks such as peas, rapeseed, and sunflower. These plant proteins are not only sustainable but also widely available, allowing the company to scale without relying on rare or resource-intensive inputs. Because Morro is entirely plastic-free and exempt from the European Union’s Single-Use Plastic Directive, it offers a regulatory advantage that could accelerate adoption across multiple sectors.
How the funding will be used: Over the next five years, Xampla plans to use the funding to scale production and replace more than ten billion units of single-use plastic. These include the plastic linings commonly found in takeaway containers, coffee cups, and sachets—items that are notoriously difficult to recycle and often end up in landfills or the ocean.
KEY QUOTES:
“This is a major vote of confidence for our revolutionary replacements for polluting plastics, and will see us expanding into Asia Pacific as well as growing in the UK and Europe.”
“We have proven to investors and to brands that Morro materials are the real deal in making plastic a material of the past. In just the next five years, Xampla will replace ten billion pieces of single-use plastic. This is the technology industry has been crying out for.”
“Our ambition now is nothing less than to see our products – proudly bearing their Morro marque – become the world’s go-to plastic replacement.”
Xampla’s Chief Executive Alexandra French
“Working with Xampla is part of our mission to turbocharge a revolution in innovative packaging.”
“This technology hits the sweet spot I search for: a big solution to a big problem that can reap big rewards. And with its current global traction, there is huge potential to scale even further.”
“The global barrier coatings market alone is set to be worth over $30 billion by 2032, and that is just the beginning.”
Neil Cameron, lead in Emerald’s sustainable packaging investment fund
“Xampla’s technology stands out as a truly scalable and practical alternative to plastic. Its patented, entirely natural and PFAS-free material is not only strong in performance but also drop-in ready for existing manufacturing lines, making it an attractive option for brands looking to adopt more sustainable solutions.”
“We believe in the strength of the team, the quality of the product, and the positive role Xampla can play in helping reduce reliance on polluting plastics. We’re excited to support their continued growth as they bring this innovation to more partners and applications.”
Rowan Bird, Investor at BGF
“Xampla’s mission fully aligns with ours: they are tackling a major sustainability issue with smart technology that can be used in existing manufacturing equipment, making it both easy to adopt and capital efficient.”
“What really wowed us is their global team. These are real experts, drawing on the best science from the University of Cambridge and elsewhere. But this isn’t an academic exercise. They have got their product out of the lab and into the market. It is a remarkable achievement and I know they will now go from strength to strength.”
Ines Kolmsee at Matterwave Ventures
