Bioform Technologies, a Canadian startup that develops sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics, has raised USD 5 million in seed funding from Suzano Ventures, the investment arm of Suzano, a Brazilian producer of eucalyptus-based paper and pulp.

The funding will be used mainly to further develop Bioform's bio-plastic alternatives. Additionally, the company aims to build a demonstration facility to simulate its manufacturing process and use the capital to grow its team and increase its capabilities.

Bioform Technologies provides an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastics through its wood pulp-reinforced hydrogels. Initially developed at the University of British Columbia, the technology is claimed to reduce the carbon footprint by 80% compared to regular single-use plastics. Bioform also claims its product is comparable to conventional plastics in key aspects such as tensile strength and oxygen or water vapor permeability.