Lignin is pure natural strength. Pioneering lignin-based solutions for a sustainable everyday life is ours.
Founders of Lignopure
Lignopure started in 2019 with a bold idea: to bring the overlooked biopolymer lignin into the spotlight. As scientists and innovators we saw lignin not as waste—but as potential.
Our founding team—Dr. Joana Gil Chávez, Dr. Wienke Reynolds, and MSc. Daniela Arango Ospina — combined scientific expertise with a shared vision for sustainable transformation. From lab benches to industrial scale, we’ve built a pioneering company rooted in science and circular thinking.
By unlocking the potential in lignin, we help biorefineries and life science industries grow their value, products and materials grow more sustainable, and our planet grow stronger.
At the core of what we do is our patented particle technology. It allows us to turn crude, unrefined lignin into ultra-fine, smooth powders—without any chemical modification. This means we preserve lignin’s natural multifunctionality, such as antioxidant properties, UV protection, and unique texture-enhancing capabilities.
The process is flexible and scalable, which means that we can tailor the particles to fit a wide range of high-performance applications—from skincare to biomaterials – leading the way towards a biobased society.
In 2022, we opened our state-of-the-art production facility in Buxtehude, Germany—the first in Europe dedicated entirely to cosmetic-grade lignin ingredients. This plant marks a major step in bridging lab-scale innovation with real-world impact.
At this facility, we produce Lignopure Base at commercial scale, while also supporting pilot batches for testing and development. It’s not just a factory. It’s a launchpad for the next generation of sustainable everyday materials.
Our journey began at Hamburg University of Technology, fueled by science and driven by impact.
Recognized as one of Hamburg’s top startups transforming industry through innovation.
We received official INCI approval and product classification, enabling cosmetic commercialization.
Released the first non-nano lignin-based ingredient for cosmetics—100% natural, multifunctional.
Opened Europe’s first lignin cosmetic plant in Buxtehude to scale eco-innovation.
Closed a major seed round to accelerate lignin-based product development and scale globally.
Partnered with top distributors to make Lignopure Base globally available in cosmetic markets.
The future of materials is plant-based, circular, and clean. At Lignopure, we unlock the potential of lignin—a natural, renewable resource—to reduce waste, eliminate fossil-based ingredients, and enable industries to make more responsible choices.
We align our efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, advancing Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), Climate Action (SDG 13), Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9), Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Gender Equality (SDG 5), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).
Our mission goes beyond business. We’re pioneering lignin-based solutions to help products and materials grow more sustainable, and our planet grow stronger.
2nd place 2019 – Future Hamburg Award “Start-Up category.
Winner 2019 – Best solution for SDG 14 in the startup category”
Winner 2021 – StartGreen Award “Founding concept category”.
Winner 2021 – KfW Award Gründen for the state of Hamburg .
Winner 2024 – DurchSTARTer-Prize in Newcomer/Scale-up category.
Finalist 2025 – C&T Alle Awards in the category of Natural/Bio-derived Cosmetic Ingredient
At the DurchSTARTer-Preis 2024 awards night, Lignopure took center stage, winning in the Newcomer/Scale-up category. This prestigious award, organized by Investitions– und Förderbank Niedersachsen (NBank) and Niedersachsen.next Startup, recognizes the most promising startups in Lower Saxony.