Functional cellulose-based materials such as white pigments, opacifiers, emulsifiers and electrolytes as sustainable alternatives

Seprify

Marly (CH)New on Amplifa

2022Founded (as Impossible Materials, University of Cambridge)

Marly, SwitzerlandLocation

About Seprify

Seprify is a spin-out of the University of Cambridge (formerly Impossible Materials) based in Marly, Switzerland. The company transforms cellulose – the most abundant biopolymer on Earth – into high-performance, functional ingredients for industrial applications. Using patented extraction, separation and purification technology, opacifiers, emulsifiers, texturizers, electrolytes and pigments are produced; functionalization is achieved through physical control and chemical treatments without chemical modification. Raw materials include pulp, agrofibers, recycled sources and industrial side streams. The flagship product is a white, light-scattering pigment made of 100 % cellulose, inspired by the ultra-thin white structure of the scales of the Cyphochilus beetle, which is used as a titanium dioxide replacement. The materials are formulated as powders, suspensions, emulsions or slurries and used in industries such as cosmetics, personal care, food & beverages, pet food, pharma, inks, coatings and paints; distribution is handled, among others, through partnerships with Grolman and BIOGRUND.

Site: Marly
Processes: Production of cellulose-based functional ingredients (extraction, separation and purification), Production of white cellulose-based pigments/opacifiers (TiO2 replacement), Physical and chemical treatments for the functionalization of cellulose (without chemical, Production and supply of functional cellulose-based materials (opacifiers, emulsifiers,, Customized formulation (powder, suspension, emulsion, slurry), Partnerships/distribution via distributors (Grolman, BIOGRUND)
Materials: Cellulose (100% natural, plant-based), Pulp, Agrofibers, Recycled sources, Industrial side streams, Cellulose (100 % natural, plant-based)
Industries: Cosmetics, Personal Care, Food & Beverages, Pet Food, Pharma & Nutrition, Inks

01
Raw material selection (pulp, agrofibers, recycled sources, industrial side
02
Patented extraction, separation and purification of cellulose
03
Functionalization through physical control and chemical treatments
04
Formulation (powder, suspension, emulsion, slurry)
05
Distribution via partners such as Grolman and BIOGRUND

Materials & Processes

Cellulose

Cellulose (100 % natural, plant-based)

Basis of all functional ingredients such as opacifiers, emulsifiers, texturizers, electrolytes and pigments.

Pulp

Raw material for the patented extraction and purification of functional cellulose particles.

Agrofaser

Agrofibers

Renewable feedstock for cellulose-based functional materials.

Rezyklat

Recycled sources

Recycled input materials for the sustainable production of cellulose ingredients.

Nebenstrom

Industrial side streams

Secondary raw materials that contribute to the circular economy and lower emissions.

Sites

Marly

Headquarters

Materials: Cellulose, pulp, agrofibers, recycled sources, industrial side streams

Products & Applications

**Cellulose opacifiers & pigments for coatings and paints**Extraction/separation · Coatings & Paints

**Natural cellulose ingredients for cosmetics**Extraction/separation · Cosmetics & Personal Care

**Functional cellulose materials for inks**Extraction/separation · Inks

**Plant-based ingredients for pet food**Extraction/separation · Pet Food

**Cellulose-based excipients for pharma & nutrition**Extraction/separation · Pharma & Nutrition

Inside the production

Seprify – functional cellulose based materials

Coloring and light-scattering cellulose materials

Lower carbon footprint compared with conventional pigment systems

Industries

CosmeticsPersonal CareFood & BeveragesPet FoodPharma & NutritionInksCoatingsPaintsElectronics

Processes & technical limits

Processes	Tolerance	Max. part	Weight	Lot size	Materials
Production of cellulose-based functional ingredients (extraction, separation and purification)Engineering	–	–	–	–	Cellulose, Pulp, Agrofibers, Recycled sources, Industrial side streams
Production of white cellulose-based pigments/opacifiers (TiO2 replacement)Engineering	–	–	–	–	Cellulose
Physical and chemical treatments for the functionalization of cellulose (without chemicalEngineering	–	–	–	–	Cellulose

Additional services

Production and supply of functional cellulose-based materials (opacifiers, emulsifiers,Customized formulation (powder, suspension, emulsion, slurry)Partnerships/distribution via distributors (Grolman, BIOGRUND)

Reference customers

Grolman (partnership)BIOGRUND (partnership)

History

2022
Cellulose-based white pigment developed as Impossible Materials (University of Cambridge spin-out) presented as a titanium dioxide replacement; later renamed Seprify
2026
Ranked 5th in the TOP 100 Swiss Startups 2026
2026
Expanded partnership with Grolman to market the cellulose white pigment technology in industrial markets
2026
Partnership with BIOGRUND for clean-label nutraceutical tablet coatings