Startup Dan*na begins industrial production of bioplastic

BarcelonaWhen researching, one of the most complicated steps is the industrial production of what has been validated in the laboratory. start-up Dan*na has reached this stage after a year of proving its feasibility. "In the lab, everything goes well; the challenge comes when you increase the volume because it must be technically and economically viable," summarizes the company's co-founder and CEO, Xavier Marin. Based in the Barcelona Science Park (PCB), the startup will begin producing bioplastic in large quantities, a more sustainable alternative to conventional plastics such as polypropylene or polyethylene.

Dan*na plans to manufacture 300 tons of biodegradable material annually from renewable sources such as lactic acid—present in the human body when muscle soreness occurs—instead of petroleum, the source of almost all plastics. It will do so from a chemical park in Leverkusen (Germany), very close to its main suppliers. This is an example of the weaknesses of the Catalan research system, a producer of a great deal of knowledge that has not found a way to go beyond test tubes and produce on a larger scale locally. Outsourcing is a first step to see how the market responds and validate the proposal. "Later, we would like to produce in-house," Marin emphasizes.

This Catalan company's bioplastic, validated by the Spanish National Research Center (CSIC), can be used for medical implants, as it has already been tested at Vall d'Hebron Hospital for cartilage and bone regeneration. It is also used in sunscreens to avoid the use of microplastics. But the sector Dan*na aims to lead is electronics, where its material can be included in screens and sensors, but also in the alarms on clothing labels. Its advantage is its sustainable origin, compared to that of other competitors, as well as material characteristics such as its resistance to high temperatures and flexibility.

Profit in two years

To date, Dan*na has raised more than three million euros. Last year, it closed its first round of funding for one million euros, led by BeAble, a fund manager specializing in technology. deeptech. Previously, it had received grants to fund all of its research from administrations such as the Generalitat (Catalan government) and the Spanish government. With a staff of seven, it will continue testing new uses for its bioplastic.

Founded in 2017, its product was patented internationally in 2023, with its formulation protected in Europe, the United States, Canada, China, Japan, and South Korea, but its customers are currently concentrated in European countries such as Finland, Germany, and the Netherlands. After recording small revenues in recent years from product concept tests, the bioengineering company expects to record revenues of half a million euros next year and achieve profits by 2027.