Lignovations
Lignovations is an Austrian deep-tech company that develops and manufactures LignoGuard, the world's first commercially available Colloidal Lignin Particles, sold as a multifunctional SPF-boosting, antioxidant, and emulsion-stabilizing ingredient to cosmetics manufacturers and brands across Europe.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersTulln, Austria
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Lignovations does
Lignovations GmbH is an Austrian deep-tech company founded in 2021 as a spin-off from TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology), headquartered in Klosterneuburg, Austria. The company develops and manufactures LignoGuard®, the world's first and only commercially available Colloidal Lignin Particles (CLPs), produced via a patented physical (non-chemical) colloidal process that reduces lignin particle size to 100-1000 nanometers. This technology transforms upcycled lignin — a wood-processing byproduct of which approximately 50 million tons are produced annually in Europe, with the majority burned for energy — into uniform, multifunctional particles with proven cosmetic performance: up to 50% SPF boost (22 additional SPF points), up to 84% reduction in oxidative stress, and Pickering-type emulsion stabilization.
The company operates a B2B ingredient supply model, selling LignoGuard to cosmetics and personal care manufacturers for use in sun care, skin care, anti-aging, BB/CC creams, and color cosmetics applications. Its go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales through a website sample-request funnel with regional distribution partnerships: IMCD for France and Germany, and UNIGOLDEN for Spain and Portugal. Pricing is quote-based on a B2B/multi-year contract basis, with non-public pricing. LignoGuard holds COSMOS and NATRUE certifications for natural cosmetics, is 100% natural origin per ISO 16128, and is sourced from Fibenol's LIGNOVA™ lignin derived from certified European forestry residues. Beyond cosmetics, the company is positioning the technology for industrial applications including biomedical wound healing, drug delivery, food packaging, coatings, and rubber/tire antioxidants.
Lignovations has raised EUR 2.2M in seed funding (December 2023), led by Norwegian biorefinery leader Borregaard with co-investment from Valnon Holding and non-dilutive grants from aws and FFG. The company has won multiple industry awards including the IFSCC Sustainability Challenge 2023, SEPAWA Innovation Award 2024 (1st place), in-Cosmetics Global Green Ingredient Award 2024 (Bronze), and Mass Challenge Switzerland Gold (2022). The six-person management team includes CEO Martin Miltner, COO Angela Miltner, Head of R&D Stefan Beisl (PhD), Head of Business Development Victor Tibo, and additional R&D and BD personnel. Note: Borregaard wrote down its investment in early 2026 citing delays and additional capital needs.
Lignovations firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lignovations
- Legal name
- Lignovations GmbH
- Website
- https://lignovations.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Lignovations is an Austrian deep-tech company that develops and manufactures LignoGuard, the world's first commercially available Colloidal Lignin Particles, sold as a multifunctional SPF-boosting, antioxidant, and emulsion-stabilizing ingredient to cosmetics manufacturers and brands across Europe.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lignovations industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cosmetic Ingredients
- NAICS
- Chemical Manufacturing (325), Custom Compounding of Purchased Resins (325991)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Lignin-based Materials & Carbon Products (binders, resins, carbon fiber/activated carbon) (IMAMALAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Biofuel Co-products & Byproduct Processing (DDGS, Glycerin, CO2, Lignin) (EUAAAHAJ)
Keywords
Where Lignovations is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tulln
- HQ country
- Austria
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Lignovations business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- LignoGuard Ingredient Sales: Lignovations develops and manufactures LignoGuard, the world's first and only commercially available Colloidal Lignin Particles, sold as an ingredient to cosmetics manufacturers and brands. Revenue is generated through B2B ingredient sales, likely in the form of bulk ingredient supply to formulators and manufacturers. The product serves multiple functions (SPF booster, antioxidant, emulsion stabilizer) enabling upsell across product categories.
- Ingredient Licensing / Technology Licensing: Lignovations licenses its patented colloidal technology and ingredient solutions to partners for use in various applications including cosmetics, coatings, packaging, adhesives, and other industrial applications. The company was founded in 2021 as a TU Wien spin-off, suggesting technology transfer and licensing is part of the commercial model.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | B2B ingredient sales — pricing by inquiry |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Lignovations product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lignovations develops and manufactures LignoGuard®, the world's first and only commercially available Colloidal Lignin Particles (CLPs), produced from upcycled biomass lignin via a patented physical (non-chemical) process. The ingredient is sold B2B to cosmetics manufacturers and brands, delivering three functions in one ingredient: SPF boosting (up to 50% / 22 SPF points), antioxidant protection (up to 84% reduction in oxidative stress), and Pickering-type emulsion stabilization, with COSMOS and NATRUE certifications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- LignoGuard®: The world's first and only commercially available Colloidal Lignin Particles - a multifunctional cosmetic ingredient providing SPF boosting, antioxidant, and emulsion stabilizing properties for high-value applications in cosmetics, coatings, packaging, and other industries.
Products and services
- LignoGuard® World's first and only commercially available Colloidal Lignin Particles (CLPs), manufactured from upcycled biomass lignin. Multifunctional cosmetic ingredient providing SPF boosting (up to 50%), antioxidant protection (up to 84% oxidative stress reduction), and Pickering emulsion stabilization for sunscreen, skin care, BB/CC creams, make-up, face masks, and anti-aging formulations. 100% natural origin per ISO 16128; COSMOS and NATRUE certified. Sold to cosmetics manufacturers, formulators, and brands.
- LignoGuard® Aqua 20 A specific grade/variant of LignoGuard® recognized at in-Cosmetics Global 2024 (Bronze Award, Green Ingredient category). Positioned for bio-derived functionalities in cosmetic formulations.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 50% SPF boost (22 additional SPF points) in sun care formulations
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Lignovations
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Lignovations technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Lignovations partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- IMCD (Germany)coreIMCD Germany distributes LignoGuard in the German market, leveraging extensive technical and commercial expertise in skin and sun care. Lignovations presented LignoGuard at Cosmetic Business event in Munich (June 5-6) and SEPAWA in Berlin (October 16-18) to support market entry.
- IMCD (France)coreIMCD Beauty & Personal Care division distributes LignoGuard in France. IMCD is a leading global distributor of cosmetics ingredients with strong presence in skin and sun care applications. IMCD offers a dedicated application team making them an ideal partner for Lignovations' European customers. The partnership brings LignoGuard's multifunctional benefits to customers in the French market.
- UNIGOLDENcoreUNIGOLDEN is the exclusive distribution partner for LignoGuard in Spain and Portugal. UNIGOLDEN was created in 2016 with the mission of opening a new space in development, production, and distribution of ingredients for personal care manufacturers. Executive Manager Xavier Romeu brings over 30 years of cosmetics industry experience and specialized sunscreen technology expertise from his teaching role at Universitat de Barcelona. The partnership reflects UNIGOLDEN's dedication to sustainability and innovation in the Iberian Peninsula.
- FibenolcoreFibenol supplies LIGNOVA™ lignin as the raw material for LignoGuard. Fibenol implements cutting-edge fractionation technology converting wood processing residues into lignin and wood sugars at industrial scale. LIGNOVA™ is sourced from locally generated forestry and wood industry residues (sawdust, woodchips, low-quality hardwood) from certified European forests. Lignovations refines, purifies, and homogenizes LIGNOVA™ into the unique LignoGuard particle form. The collaboration enables the safe use of lignin in cosmetics products, confirmed by safety assessment.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Lignovations competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks1 record
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Lignovations social profiles
Digital presenceLignovations financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lignovations leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Lignovations funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lignovations M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Lignovations
What does Lignovations do?
Lignovations develops and manufactures LignoGuard®, the world's first and only commercially available Colloidal Lignin Particles (CLPs), produced from upcycled biomass lignin via a patented physical (non-chemical) process. The ingredient is sold B2B to cosmetics manufacturers and brands, delivering three functions in one ingredient: SPF boosting (up to 50% / 22 SPF points), antioxidant protection (up to 84% reduction in oxidative stress), and Pickering-type emulsion stabilization, with COSMOS and NATRUE certifications.
Is Lignovations a public or private company?
Lignovations is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Lignovations founded?
Lignovations was founded in 2021. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Lignovations based?
Lignovations is headquartered in Tulln, Austria, in the Europe region.
How does Lignovations make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. LignoGuard Ingredient Sales are the primary driver. The others are ingredient Licensing / Technology Licensing.
Does Lignovations have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lignovations.
What industry is Lignovations in?
Lignovations's product category is Cosmetic Ingredients. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAMALAE, Lignin-based Materials & Carbon Products (binders, resins, carbon fiber/activated carbon), with a secondary code of EUAAAHAJ, Biofuel Co-products & Byproduct Processing (DDGS, Glycerin, CO2, Lignin). Its NAICS code is 325 and its SIC code is 2890.