London-based biomaterials startup Planet Smart has raised $1 million in pre-seed funding to accelerate the commercialization of its biodegradable polymer technology designed to replace fossil-based plastics in disposable hygiene products. The funding round was led by General Inception and Vertical Venture Partners, with support from Innovate UK and the Undaunted Accelerator. The investment marks a major milestone for the company as it transitions from intensive laboratory research to real-world manufacturing and trials.
A New Generation of Sustainable Materials
Founded in 2025 by Dr. Gerald Marin and Maurice Rüttimann, Planet Smart is pioneering biodegradable superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) that can be used in nappies, sanitary pads, and other absorbent materials. Its flagship product, PlanetSorb, is a bio-based polymer that naturally biodegrades within six months without leaving behind microplastics. It can absorb more than one liter of liquid per gram—double the capacity of traditional materials—allowing manufacturers to produce thinner, more efficient, and more sustainable hygiene products.
Commercial Pathway and Expansion Plans
With the new capital, Planet Smart will expand its R&D operations at its White City laboratory and grow its technical team to accelerate development and testing of PlanetSorb. The funding will also support the start of commercial trials with leading hygiene manufacturers, enabling the company to validate performance in large-scale production environments. Planet Smart has already secured three letters of intent and two purchase orders from major European brands, underscoring growing industry demand for sustainable alternatives.
A Founding Story Rooted in Impact
Planet Smart’s mission is deeply personal to its founders. Dr. Marin, a materials scientist from the Philippines, was inspired after participating in a river clean-up in his home country, where he witnessed the overwhelming volume of plastic waste from disposable hygiene products. Along with his American co-founder Rüttimann, he began exploring scientific solutions to the problem during the pandemic. “The first thing we do to babies when they’re born is wrap them in plastic,” Marin said. “I want to create biomaterials that my daughter won’t have to clean up in thirty years’ time.”
Tackling a Massive Environmental Challenge
Disposable hygiene products contribute heavily to global waste, with an estimated half a million nappies and pads discarded every minute. As the EU enforces stricter bans on microplastics and introduces deforestation laws, manufacturers are under pressure to adopt biodegradable solutions. PlanetSorb’s bio-based formulation, made from poly-amino acids that naturally decompose in soil or landfill, provides a viable and scalable alternative to petroleum-based plastics.
Broader Applications Beyond Hygiene
While Planet Smart’s immediate focus is on hygiene products, the potential for its technology extends across multiple industries. PlanetSorb can be applied in agriculture, wound care, food packaging, and mining waste management—any sector that relies on materials designed to absorb and retain liquid. The company is already exploring collaborative projects to test its polymers in these new contexts, aiming to position itself as a global leader in sustainable biomaterials.
Investor Perspective and Future Outlook
Sara Jones, Vice President at General Inception, described Planet Smart as “a science-driven company solving a global pollution challenge with commercial pragmatism.” The company plans to use this funding round as a foundation for scaling production and aims to reach one kilotonne of annual output—enough to replace approximately 45 million nappies—by the end of 2028. A larger Series A funding round is expected in 2026 to expand manufacturing capabilities and form licensing partnerships with major hygiene brands worldwide.
Planet Smart’s innovation represents a meaningful step toward reducing plastic waste in one of the most overlooked yet polluting sectors. By combining high performance with full biodegradability, PlanetSorb could reshape how the hygiene industry approaches sustainability. With its latest investment, the company is well positioned to advance from the lab to large-scale production, demonstrating that environmental responsibility and product performance can go hand in hand.