Shantel
Key Takeaways
- Nature Coatings, a biochemicals company, secures $2.45 million in Seed funding led by Regeneration.VC and The 22 Fund, with participation from Leonardo DiCaprio, Safer Made, and Portfolia.
- The company’s flagship product, BioBlack TX, gains global recognition and adoption by fashion brands including Kering Group, Levi’s, and more.
- The funding will accelerate manufacturing expansion, bolster the senior team, and establish a global distribution network for BioBlack TX.
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ – Nature Coatings, a leading biochemicals company dedicated to revolutionizing the chemical industry through innovative and sustainable solutions, proudly announces the successful completion of an oversubscribed Seed funding round, securing an impressive $2.45 million. The round was spearheaded by prominent investors Regeneration.VC and The 22 Fund, with notable participation from environmental advocate Leonardo DiCaprio, Safer Made, and Portfolia.
This substantial investment arrives on the heels of Nature Coatings’ remarkable achievement with BioBlack TX, their pioneering alternative to carbon black sourced from petroleum. The carbon-negative and high-performing dispersion has been met with global acclaim and has already found a home in the fashion world, embraced by renowned brands such as Kering Group, Levi’s, Bestseller’s Jack & Jones and Selected HOMME, and Vollebak.
A Vision of Sustainability and Innovation
Jane Palmer, Founder and CEO of Nature Coatings, is a luminary in the pigment and dyes industry with a career spanning over two decades. Palmer’s deep understanding of the industry’s environmental impact motivated her to pave a new path. She shared her vision for Nature Coatings, saying, “My experience in the pigment and dyes industry has shown me the detrimental effects it can have on our environment and health. I was driven to find a better way, a solution that’s safe enough to be used in my own vegetable garden. Our goal at Nature Coatings is to create a future where the chemical industry coexists harmoniously with nature, and this new investment brings us closer to that reality.”
Regeneration.VC and The 22 Fund, esteemed investment firms in the field, championed the financial backing for Nature Coatings. Regeneration.VC specializes in supporting visionary enterprises that offer eco-friendly alternatives to reduce environmental impact. Meanwhile, The 22 Fund focuses on investing in high-potential cleantech-based manufacturing and exporting companies owned by women and BIPOC individuals.
Dan Fishman, General Partner at Regeneration.VC, expressed his excitement about the partnership, remarking, “As a Consumer ClimateTech fund dedicated to reimagining consumer industries, we’ve been searching far and wide for a bio-based, price-competitive alternative to petroleum-based carbon black. Jane and the Nature Coatings team are reshaping the chemical industry, and we are thrilled to support their journey.”
Tracy Gray from The 22 Fund added her perspective, “We invest in cleantech manufacturing companies and intentionally include female-led firms to deliver both high return on investment and create clean, quality jobs in low & moderate-income communities. We are excited to utilize our network and expertise to support Jane Palmer and be a part of the next growth phase of Nature Coatings.”
Catalysts for Change: Empowering a Sustainable Future
Environmental advocate Leonardo DiCaprio emphasized the importance of Nature Coatings’ mission. He stated, “Nature Coatings presents a bio-based, forward-thinking solution that can span various industries and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable environment. I’m proud to invest in a company that empowers brands to adopt eco-friendly practices while educating consumers about sustainable products.”
This recent injection of capital is poised to catalyze Nature Coatings’ growth strategy. The funding will accelerate the global adoption of BioBlack TX by expanding manufacturing capabilities, bolstering the senior team, and establishing a robust global distribution network.
BioBlack TX: A Game-Changer in Sustainable Chemistry
Nature Coatings has been a trailblazer since its inception in 2017, introducing its groundbreaking product, BioBlack TX. This innovation addresses the pressing need for sustainable alternatives by offering a carbon-negative, high-performance alternative to petroleum-derived carbon black. What sets BioBlack TX apart is its entirely bio-based composition, with a black pigment derived from FSC certified wood waste. Beyond its environmental benefits, BioBlack TX prioritizes individual health and safety, containing non-detected Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), carcinogens, and less than 0.1% Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
Cost-competitive and eco-friendly, BioBlack TX aligns with companies’ decarbonization strategies and compliance with impending regulations such as Manufacturing Restricted Substance Lists (MRSLs). With its superior performance, BioBlack TX is suitable for a range of industries, including textiles, automotive, paint, package printing, and more.
Supporting a Green Vision
Nature Coatings’ journey is fortified by the support of previous investors, including Fashion for Good, Apex Black Ltd, BESTSELLER’s HEARTLANDS A/S, Textile Innovation Fund, and Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) Impact Fund.
About Nature Coatings
Nature Coatings is a trailblazing startup spearheading transformation within the chemical industry. The company pioneers bio-based, safe, and renewable solutions crafted from waste materials. At the forefront of Nature Coatings’ offerings is BioBlack TX, a carbon-negative, high-performing alternative to carbon black sourced from petroleum. Certified by FSC®, OEKO-TEX®, USDA BioPreferred, and listed on ZDHC Gateway 3.0, BioBlack TX embodies sustainability and responsible sourcing.
About Regeneration.VC
Regeneration.VC serves as a catalyst for Consumer ClimateTech innovation, driven by circular and regenerative principles. The firm invests in businesses reshaping consumer industries through eco-friendly solutions, focusing on Design (AgTech & Aquaculture and Next-Gen Materials), Use (Apparel & Lifestyle and Food & Beverage brands), and Reuse (Recommerce and Reverse Logistics system technologies).
About The 22 Fund
The 22 Fund is a purpose-driven impact investor, fueling tech-based, clean/climate tech, and sustainable U.S. manufacturing companies. The fund aims to increase international sales (exports) and create quality jobs in underserved and low- and moderate-income communities. The 22 Fund champions women- and BIPOC-led firms, delivering both robust ROI and meaningful social and economic impact.
Shaping a Greener Future
The infusion of $2.45 million funding stands as a testament to Nature Coatings’ commitment to a sustainable future. With BioBlack TX leading the way, Nature Coatings is positioned to create lasting change in the chemical industry, inspiring eco-conscious practices and fostering a harmonious relationship between industry and nature.
