Circular by Design

Lukas Schertel, Co-founder and CEO, Seprify

© Seprify

Co-founded by physicist Lukas Schertel and serial entrepreneur Oliver Polcher, Seprify transforms cellulose into high-performance functional ingredients inspired by nature’s light-scattering systems. Originating from research at the University of Cambridge, the Swiss start-up has developed a platform technology that enables sustainable alternatives to conventional ingredients such as titanium dioxide (TiO2). The leadership team is complemented by Chief Technology Officer Wadood Hamad, who brings extensive expertise in cellulose applications and processing.

CHEManager: Can you explain the core innovation in simple terms for our readers?

Lukas Schertel: Seprify engineers cellulose, the most abundant natural polymer, into microstructured particles that control how light interacts with a material. Instead of relying on chemical composition, we design the structure of cellulose at the micro-scale to achieve properties like whiteness, opacity, or SPF boosting.

Nature does this extremely well. For example, the Cyphochilus beetle (a core inspiration for our technology) appears intensely white not because of pigments, but because of how its microscopic structure scatters light. We replicate that same principle using cellulose. The result is a single, bio-based material that can deliver multiple functions across a range of industries from personal care and cosmetics to food, pet food, nutraceuticals and coatings.