Sheffield Technology Parks is proud to welcome Floreon as one of our newest residents. This groundbreaking company has a mission to transform the plastics industry with its high-performance bioplastic technology, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional, fossil-fuel-based materials.

A game-changing bioplastic

Floreon’s technology is a major breakthrough in the field of sustainable materials. Unlike many bioplastics that primarily cater to single-use applications, Floreon is targeting manufacturers that require durability, heat resistance, and impact strength. Their bioplastic—made from renewable sources like corn and sugarcane—boasts a carbon footprint up to seven times lower than conventional plastics such as ABS, PC, and HIPS.

“This is extremely exciting as it’s an unmet need—there is no plant-based alternative available that offers this level of durability,” explains Dr. Sandrine Garnier, CEO of Floreon. “While existing bioplastics are mainly used for packaging, Floreon’s material competes with fossil-based engineering plastics, proving that sustainability and performance can go hand in hand.”

The company has already secured partnerships with industry leaders such as Spectrum Filaments, which uses Floreon’s award-winning Therma-Tech PLA in its FlameGuard PLA filament, and Morph, a UK-based manufacturer of sustainable modular construction systems. These collaborations demonstrate the growing demand for robust, renewable materials in high-performance applications.

Why Sheffield?

Floreon’s relocation to Sheffield in early 2025 signifies a homecoming to its roots, having originated from a successful Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with the University of Sheffield. This move also marks a pivotal milestone in the company’s growth journey. Previously based in Hull, the team was looking for a more dynamic startup environment with access to a strong innovation network. Sheffield Technology Parks - recommended by Northern Gritstone, which has invested £2million into the company - has provided the perfect base to support Floreon’s transition from Research and Development to commercialisation.

“The move to Sheffield Technology Parks was driven by the need for a central base that was accessible for suppliers and customers, and a collaborative environment to help us scale,” Sandrine explains.

The company has already benefitted from the move. Within days of moving in, Floreon was introduced to the Bessemer Society’s Sheffield branch, where Sandrine was invited to pitch at the inaugural event, Forging Innovation: Tackling Capital-Raising Challenges in the North.

“This was an incredible opportunity, getting us in a room with investors and straight away immersing us into the ecosystem. We couldn’t have hoped for a better introduction to Sheffield.”

Floreon has also begun exploring collaborations with other members of the Tech Parks community, having scoped out companies working in areas such as 3D printing. Sandrine is enthusiastic about the potential crossover:

“That’s the great thing about the ecosystem here—there’s so much interesting innovation happening, we can all learn from each other.”

Good things to come

With a growing team—now six full-time employees and an active search for a Business Development Manager—Floreon is in a strong position for accelerated commercial success. We’re delighted to have the company at Sheffield Technology Parks, boosting the city’s reputation for sustainable innovation and advanced materials research.

We’re excited to see what’s next for Floreon! Find out more on the company’s website: www.floreon.com.