Speaker

About the speaker: 

Dr. Mark Dorris is co-founder and CEO of Mercel. Formerly a Senior Research Fellow and lecturer in Materials Science, Mark has numerous publications in Life Science and Materials Science areas with over 4000 academic citations. He also has industry expertise in taking sustainable nanomaterial technologies from the lab to full production facility and has published patents on sustainable surface modification of seaweed cellulose and conversion of cellulose to nanocellulose. This technology and IP underpin the commercial strategy of Mercel Ltd.

Company info:

Mercel Ltd is a pioneering green chemistry and materials science company established as a spin-out from Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland. Mercel was created to commercialise Dr. Dorris’s innovative research into sustainable, high-value nanomaterials derived from seaweed. Mercel‘s cutting-edge products are designed to replace synthetic microplastics and other unsustainable polymers in the fields of cosmetics, personal care and medicines. Core functions of Mercel products are in thickening, emulsifying and binding within formulations as well as in water barrier coatings and high strength flexible materials.

Presentation: 

The core focus of Mercel’s commercial strategy is low volume high value ingredients rather than low value single use packaging. Mercel starts with seaweed cellulose, typically the waste or low value co-product from seaweed biorefining. Through two patented processes we turn this material into pure high aspect ratio nanofibrils which replace synthetic microplastics and other unsustainable or poor performing natural ingredients in cosmetics, personal care and medicines. By using this approach we demonstrate the potential not just for replacing a few fossil fuel ingredients but for a highly lucrative competing industry to fossil fuel chemistry.