FunCell

FunCell is a French startup, founded in 2020, that leverages bio-inspired technology using biobased polymers to enhance cellulose-cellulose interactions in wet and dry conditions. Their additives significantly improve mechanical performance, making papers up to 2 times stronger in dry conditions and up to 20 times stronger when wet. These additives are versatile and can be directly added to paper pulp without requiring any specific processes, activation, or curing steps. Moreover, the products do not compromise the biodegradability of papers and are non-toxic.

FunCell offers sustainable solutions for paper and boards, various fibers, and pulps, presenting a wide range of possibilities in terms of performance and added values. The company received a €4.80M Venture Round investment on 28 July 2023 from Iron Hands Capital, OBRATORI, and Lita.co, contributing to its potential for growth and development in the manufacturing industry.

The company emerged from an academic laboratory, the CEntre de Recherche sur les MAcromolecules Végétales (Cermav, CNRS) in Grenoble, France. Their team specializes in the study of polysaccharides, their organization, and their applicative potential for new materials, utilizing their expertise to provide on-demand solutions for wet and dry strength reinforcement and functionalization in the paper industry.