Oct 9 2009
Plaxica, an emerging leader in the development of the next generation of renewable polymers, today announced that it has raised £1m in equity funding from existing investor Imperial Innovations Group plc, and new investors, Carbon Trust Investments Limited and the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA).
Plaxica is developing next generation biopolymers that will be both cheaper to produce and have improved properties compared with first generation biopolymers. The novel chemistry underpinning this technology came from research by Professor Vernon Gibson FRS and Dr Ed Marshall at Imperial College London. Plaxica's technology uses sustainable feedstocks to produce a biopolymer known as polylactic acid (PLA) using more energy-efficient processes, to produce a stronger, higherquality polymer. The result should be a low-cost, environmentally-friendly biopolymer for use in applications as diverse as packaging, textiles, electronics and automobile parts.
Plaxica's management team includes Chief Executive John Hamlin (formerly of BP) who has held several senior international business and technology positions, most of which were in the chemicals and polymers sector, and Chairman Philip Holbeche (ex-Chairman, Ceres Power plc) who has more than 20 years experience in the financing and growth of entrepreneurial companies.
This new investment will allow Plaxica to continue developing processes aimed at reducing production costs of PLAs to the point where it can compete with mass volume oil-based plastics.
John Hamlin, CEO of Plaxica commented "This funding allows Plaxica to further develop our technology towards commercial production. We are now in a good position to build on the industrial interest that we have already established, enabling the demonstration of our technology to a wider range of partners?"
Rachael Nutter, Investment Manager at CT Investment Partners LLP said "The rapidly growing market for bioplastics and Plaxica's position as a leader in the field have made it an exciting company to invest in. Plaxica has the potential to transform the cost and carbon footprint of PLAs and develop new applications for this polymer."
CEO Imperial Innovations Group plc, Susan Searle commented "Existing plastics are no longer sustainable because of the oil they use and the waste they leave. This investment will help Plaxica develop a low-cost and environmentally friendly alternative for a wide range of industrial and consumer applications."
Alex Hook, Investment Manager at NESTA Investments said: "Plaxica has a compelling technology base which holds great potential for changing the cost and performance economics of the leading biopolymer, PLA. The company has an experienced management team and has already attracted industry interest. We are delighted to be working with the company and the co-investors to move the venture forward commercially."