MicroLub Secures €8.7 Million to Advance Fat Reduction Technology in Food and Personal Care

Leeds-based MicroLub, a DeepTech ingredient solutions company, has successfully completed an €8.7 million ($10 million) funding round. This investment is set to support the company's mission to enable food and personal care product manufacturers to reduce fat and oil content.

The funding was led by Northern Gritstone, with existing investors, including NPIF II – PXN Equity Finance, which is managed by PXN Ventures as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II, also participating in the round.

MicroLub secured €8.7 million, equivalent to $10 million, in its recent funding round. The company's patented technology allows for a reduction in fat and calorie content by up to 75% in products.

This capital infusion is designated for supporting the company's next phase of growth, including expanding its team and accelerating its entry into international markets such as the US and Asia.

MicroLub was established in 2023 by Professor Anwesha Sarkar, who originated from the School of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Leeds. David Peters serves as the CEO of MicroLub.

The lead investor in this funding round was Northern Gritstone, whose CEO, Duncan Johnson, commented on MicroLub's potential. NPIF II – PXN Equity Finance, managed by PXN Ventures, was among the other investors.

MicroLub addresses a significant challenge within the food industry by providing a solution that allows manufacturers to improve the nutritional profile of their products without sacrificing the sensory experience consumers expect. Its protein-based biolubricant technology helps reduce fat and increase protein content, aligning with growing consumer demands for healthier options and stricter regulations.

The company's technology also offers the benefit of simplifying ingredient lists by potentially eliminating the need for additives such as emulsifiers and thickeners, which consumers are increasingly avoiding. This innovation allows consumers to have nutritious products that still deliver on taste and texture.

With this new investment, MicroLub plans to expand its team and accelerate its international scale-up, particularly targeting the US and Asian markets. A key focus will be converting existing customer trials into commercial agreements and further developing its proprietary ingredient technology.

The company has already progressed from lab-scale to industrial-scale manufacturing and is collaborating with some of the world's largest food and ingredient companies. Its continued close collaboration with the University of Leeds and operations at its own food innovation laboratory at Nexus in Leeds will be crucial for ongoing innovation and growth.