In a world increasingly aware of the environmental toll of industrial production, Bristlechem is offering a solution that’s both sustainable and scalable. Based in Spain, this ambitious start-up turns agricultural waste, specifically pig bristles, into high-value sulphur-based nanoparticles for use in electronics, cosmetics and manufacturing.
Founded by a team of PhDs in nanochemistry, Bristlechem emerged from a simple but bold idea: convert an underutilised waste stream into a valuable European-made raw material.
“We want to be among the few companies producing nanoparticles in Europe,” says co-founder Alessio Zuliani.
Bristlechem’s transformation from concept to company was accelerated by the EIT Jumpstarter programme. Competing in the 2024 Raw Materials category, the team secured second place and a €5,000 prize. But the true value lay in the strategic guidance.
“The programme helped me turn the idea into a concrete business opportunity,” shares Zuliani. Through expert mentoring and practical training, they refined their business model and learnt how to attract investors—skills that have proven essential in their early-stage growth.
At the heart of Bristlechem’s technology lies an intensified process for extracting sulphur and other elements from pig bristles, enabling the production of zinc-doped sulphur-based nanoparticles. These materials are in high demand across cosmetics, electronics and fibreglass manufacturing.
What sets them apart? Conventional nanoparticles are costly and mostly imported. Bristlechem’s method uses local biomass and sustainable synthesis, achieving a production cost of €90/kg, well below the market price of €300/kg. The environmental benefits are notable too, with a 35% lower impact compared to current methods.
Currently scaling up production to multi-kilogram batches, Bristlechem is building a pilot line to serve its first customers in Andalusia, Spain. Their roadmap is ambitious: from a €400,000 beachhead market in 2026 to projected €10 million sales and over 100 customers by 2034 across the EU.
Regulatory challenges around the use of animal by-products are part of the journey, but the team’s deep expertise and pending patents provide a strong competitive advantage. Their near-term goals include bringing three nanoparticle types to market and raising investment for further expansion.
Bristlechem’s journey is proof that scientific innovation, when paired with the right support, can transform overlooked waste into a valuable asset for Europe’s green future.
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