NaturLoop wins CHF 150,000 to turn coconut husks into sustainable biocomposites
29.03.2021
NaturLoop is a cleantech and material science startup that transforms agricultural by-products into sustainable and affordable bio-composites in developing countries. By replacing virgin wood with coconut husks, the Biel-based startup aims to restrict deforestation, boost the local availability of furniture and construction materials, increase farmers’ livelihood, and promote a circular economy. NaturLoop will use the CHF 150,000 to boost their marketing efforts and launch a new pilot project to test and promote Cocoboard® in furniture applications.
 NaturLoop co-founders Michail Kyriazopoulos (CTO) and Daniel Dinizo (CEO)
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The decade-long destruction of tropical forests has resulted in limited availability of timber, hence increasing the prices of raw materials and made many countries heavily dependent on importing wood-based panels. Many of these wood-based composites release formaldehyde and other harmful gases, causing indoor air pollution. Furthermore, the production of wood composites leads to excessive waste generation and energy consumption. NaturLoop has found a sustainable solution to counteract the destruction and pollution of the wood-based composite industry: coconut husks.
Most of the 21 million tons of coconut husks that are generated annually worldwide are either burned or dumped. NaturLoop has developed a process to upcycle this agroforestry by-product: Cocoboard® is an all-natural fiberboard made of coconut husks and pressed to boards using natural tannin adhesive. Cocoboard can be used to produce different kinds of furniture, cabinetry, flooring, and other building materials like non-structural walls and ceiling panels. The startup aims to capture a significant share of the USD 1 billion imported wood-based panel market (Philippines, Indonesia, and India). NaturLoop, a Bern University of Applied Science (Institute for Materials and Wood Technology) spinoff, was co-founded by Daniel Dinizo (CEO) and Michail Kyriazopoulos (CTO). NaturLoop is set to establish its first Cocoboard factory in the Philippines by the end of 2022. The team is currently working toward exclusive supply agreements, pre-sale orders, and finalizing the production concept while opening its equity-based Seed financing round. NaturLoop will use the CHF 150,000 to accelerate its marketing efforts, visit the Philippines for due diligence, and launch new pilot projects to test and promote Cocoboard in furniture applications.
“What separates Venture Kick from other startup programs is the people behind it: The feedback I was given from the founding members during Kickers Camp was honest and unbiased. It was clear that I was receiving advice from a group of individuals who have exceptional entrepreneurial passion and experience. In a short amount of time, they were able to give me feedback that is hard to come by for a young entrepreneur like me. We were able to translate this feedback, along with that of the international jury members, into actions that significantly strengthened our business case,” said Daniel Dinizo, NaturLoop co-founder and CEO.