Foamlab Raises €3 Million to Scale Bacterial Cellulose Foams as Sustainable Alternatives to Fossil-Based Materials
Foamlab, a Delft, Netherlands-based materials science startup developing sustainable bio-based foam materials, has raised €3 million in growth capital to build a pilot plant, scale production, and accelerate the commercial rollout of its bacterial cellulose-based foams. The funding round was led by ICOS Capital, with participation from Value Factory Ventures, DOEN Ventures, Capricorn Industrial Biotech Fund, and TTT Green Tech Fund managed by SHIFT Invest. The investment will help Foamlab move its technology closer to market adoption across industries seeking alternatives to conventional fossil-based foam materials.
Founded as a spin-off from Delft University of Technology, Foamlab is developing a new generation of foam materials made from bacterial cellulose, a natural and renewable material produced through fermentation. The company’s technology is designed to replace traditional fossil-based foams used in industries such as packaging, textiles, furniture, and construction with materials that are bio-based, compostable, and customizable for different applications.
Foamlab’s approach centers on using microorganisms to grow high-performance materials rather than relying on petroleum-based feedstocks. The company says its bacterial cellulose foams combine lightweight properties, mechanical performance, and tunable characteristics, enabling applications ranging from soft, textile-like materials to more rigid structural solutions. By developing materials through biological processes, Foamlab aims to support the transition toward a more circular materials economy.
The newly raised capital will allow Foamlab to establish a pilot production facility and increase manufacturing capabilities as it prepares to serve commercial customers. The company plans to use the funding to scale production processes, validate its materials at larger volumes, and accelerate market introduction across multiple sectors. Foamlab’s investors will also provide strategic support and industry connections as the company moves from research and development toward commercialization.
ICOS Capital, which led the round, invests in deep technology companies focused on sustainability, circular economy solutions, and industrial transformation. The firm’s investment reflects growing interest in technologies that can help reduce dependence on fossil-based materials while creating scalable alternatives for global industries. Foamlab’s bacterial cellulose foam technology aligns with increasing demand for sustainable materials that can deliver strong performance while addressing environmental concerns associated with traditional plastics.
The participation of Value Factory Ventures, DOEN Ventures, Capricorn Industrial Biotech Fund, and TTT Green Tech Fund highlights the growing investor focus on biotechnology-driven solutions for industrial challenges. These investors have backed companies working on sustainability, climate technology, and innovative materials, supporting technologies designed to create measurable environmental impact while reaching commercial markets.
Foamlab’s technology originated from research conducted at the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering at Delft University of Technology. The company was founded to commercialize advances in biofabrication and biomaterials research, translating academic discoveries into practical materials for industry. The startup’s team combines expertise across biotechnology, engineering, industrial design, and sustainable materials development.
The funding comes at a time when companies across manufacturing, packaging, construction, and consumer products are searching for alternatives to conventional plastics and petroleum-based materials. Fossil-derived foams are widely used because of their low weight and versatility, but they often create long-term waste challenges due to limited recyclability. Foamlab is positioning its bacterial cellulose-based materials as a potential solution that combines performance with improved end-of-life characteristics.
Foamlab aims to expand partnerships with companies interested in sustainable materials and continue developing applications for its foam technology. The company believes its materials can support a range of industries looking to reduce environmental impact without compromising functionality or product performance. By scaling production and working with commercial partners, Foamlab hopes to accelerate adoption of bio-based foams in global markets.
With the €3 million investment, Foamlab is entering a new phase focused on industrial scale-up and commercialization. The company’s combination of biotechnology, material science, and circular design positions it within a growing sector of startups developing alternatives to traditional industrial materials. Backed by a consortium of sustainability-focused investors, Foamlab is working to establish bacterial cellulose foams as a viable replacement for fossil-based foam materials across multiple applications.
