Naturbeads, a startup company founded by University of Bath researchers, has received new funding to build a new factory to increase production of its plant-based alternative to microplastic beads.

The company has developed innovative biodegradable cellulose ‘microspheres', which will replace microplastics in a range of consumer and industrial products.

It received £7.8 million in its latest funding round, from investors including Eos Advisory, Progress Tech Transfer and CDP Venture Capital.