THE PROBLEM
The global SAP market is large and rapidly expanding, with annual sales of approximately $9.1 billion, projected to reach $17.6 billion by 2035. Each year, an estimated 4.1 million tons of SAPs are produced, the vast majority of which are used in absorbent hygiene products such as nappies and menstrual pads. A smaller but growing share is used in agriculture, with additional applications across medical products, construction materials, consumer goods and water treatment.
Today’s synthetic SAPs are highly absorbent but also highly persistent. Made from fossil-based materials and designed without biodegradability in mind, they accumulate in the environment as microplastics. Over time, these materials contaminate soils, waterways and oceans, contributing to one of the world’s most pressing pollution challenges. Single-use nappies, for example, which rely on synthetic SAPs, are one of the most widely disposed of products in the world: 250 million nappies are disposed of globally every day, with an estimated 300,000 disposable nappies sent to landfill or incinerated every minute.
As António Guterres, UN Secretary General, said at 2025 World Environment Day: “Plastic pollution is choking our planet – harming ecosystems, well-being, and the climate […] it infiltrates every corner of Earth: from the top of Mount Everest, to the depths of the ocean; from human brains; to human breastmilk.”
THE SOLUTION
A&B Smart Materials aims to enable the global transition away from persistent, fossil-based superabsorbent polymers towards high-performance, fully biodegradable alternatives. By combining cutting-edge polymer science with abundant natural feedstocks, they are building the technological foundation for the next generation of absorbent materials, materials that deliver top-tier performance and are compatible with established industry processes, while meeting accelerating regulatory, environmental and consumer demands.
A&B’s technology is built on novel modified biopolymers sourced from abundant, low-cost natural materials. Despite a small team and a short development timeline, their material is already approaching commercial performance standards in both hygiene and agricultural applications. This foundation technology already offers a competitive cost outlook, and the funding will support further optimisation of materials and manufacturing processes as they move toward industrial scale.
The broad base of investor support that A&B have attracted to this early round enables them to benefit from a wide range of skill sets and networks, positioning them well for the next stage of investment.
