Shellworks, a pioneer in scalable bio-materials, has raised $15 million in Series A funding to expand its global production network and accelerate expansion into the US and the EU wellness market. The round was led by alter equity, Paris-based impact pioneer investment fund, with participation from Nat Friedman (NFDG) and JamJar (ex-founders of Innocent Drinks), alongside continued support from existing investors including Founder Collective, Local Globe, and Third Sphere.
The funding comes as Shellworks achieves a critical milestone in terms of cost-competitiveness. It has proven to match the cost of conventional materials (e.g. aluminum and glass) despite operating at a fraction of the scale (circa 5 million units). This milestone addresses the industry's primary barrier to adoption and positions Shellworks as a viable long-term partner for major brands seeking to transition away from petroleum-based packaging.
Mass-Market Validation
Shellworks spent the last six years developing, testing and scaling their proprietary material, Vivomer, which is made by using microbes to ferment second generation feedstocks like used cooking oil. The result is a true plastic replacement that is stable in use but will biodegrade completely when disposed of. The innovation has allowed them to secure partnerships with leading consumer brands including Wild, the sustainable personal care company in Unilever’s portfolio and Sonsie Skin, Pamela Anderson’s beauty brand.
"Vivomer is at the forefront of sustainable material innovation and has helped Wild deliver on our mission," said Freddy Ward, Co-Founder and CEO of Wild. "Their desire to drive change and solve problems has been amazing to watch, and their passion for a better packaging future is infectious."
Vivomer is already powering packaging on shelves at Tesco through Wild's product line and has just launched at Whole Foods with Phil's, demonstrating that sustainable packaging is ready for mainstream retail at competitive price points.
"For too long, the conversation around sustainable materials has been dominated by the perception that they're too expensive for mass adoption," said Insiya Jafferjee, CEO and co-founder of Shellworks. "We're proving that's no longer true. At just a fraction of plastic's scale, we're already cost-competitive with alternatives like glass and aluminum. As we scale further, we'll only get more competitive."
Strategic US Expansion
The new capital will enable Shellworks to expand strategically into the United States, the European Union and target the growing wellness sector by establishing regional production capabilities that reduce carbon footprints and strengthen supply chain resilience. The company is building a global production network focused on hard-to-crack technologies like blow molding, with facilities in the UK, Europe, and the US.
"Shellworks represents exactly the kind of innovation we need to see in the materials economy" said Félix Mounier from alter equity. "They're not just creating a better material, they're building the infrastructure to make it accessible at scale. That's what will drive real change and contribute to the plastic-free economy we are supporting at alter equity."