Oxford, United Kingdom
A&B Smart Materials, founded in 2025, is pioneering the development of biodegradable superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) to replace fossil-based plastics widely used in industries like hygiene, agriculture, and packaging. With its mission of "Reinventing Superabsorbents for a Sustainable Future," the company is tapping into a burgeoning market need for environmentally sustainable solutions.
The venture, located at the University of Oxford’s Begbroke Science Park in the United Kingdom, brings together deep scientific research with a strong commercial focus to create plant-based SAPs that naturally degrade, leaving no microplastics behind. Such innovation positions A&B Smart Materials well in anticipation of the upcoming EU regulatory ban on synthetic SAPs by 2028.
The company recently secured a £1.50M Pre-Seed investment on 17 December 2025 from a diverse group of investors, including Cambridge Capital Group, Triple Impact Ventures, Oxford Innovation Finance, and others. This investment signifies strong investor confidence in the company's potential to impact sustainable materials development positively.
