Green, high-performance building blocks for the future of materials
At Circolide, we develop sustainable chemical building blocks with tunable properties, engineered for high performance and designed for circularity. Using advanced technologies like photochemistry, we create chemically similar alternatives to fossil-based ingredients, enabling the next generation of polymers, coatings, plastics and more. Whether you’re driving innovation in materials or reshaping supply chains, we’re here to move the transition forward-together.
Why chemistry needs a circular makeover
For decades, chemistry helped fuel progress but it also helped build a world dependent on fossil resources and linear systems. Today, we face the consequences: growing waste streams, rising emissions, and a materials economy that takes, makes, and discards. Biobased materials have emerged as a hopeful alternative. But many are still held back by real-world limits: they’re expensive, difficult to scale, and often not truly circular. The gap between vision and viability remains wide.
That’s where Circolide comes in.
We don’t just replace fossil inputs we rethink how chemical building blocks are designed, produced, and applied. By embedding circularity at the molecular level and using advanced processes like photochemistry, we create materials that are scalable, sustainable, and ready for real-world impact. It’s not just about being green it’s about being better.
Butenolide, high performing biobased alternative for Acrylate
Our first green building block is butenolide, a sustainable, high-performance alternative to acrylates in applications such as coatings. This biobased and tunable monomer is produced using advanced photochemical processes, enabling precise control over its properties. Its versatile structure allows for multiple polymerization pathways, making it suitable for a wide range of end uses.
Preliminary assessments indicate that the production process will be CO₂-neutral or even CO₂-negative, aligning with our commitment to climate-positive innovation.
Get in touch with us
Validate our biobased acrylate alternative
Validate Our Biobased Acrylate Alternative
For R&D and Formulation Experts
Are you using fossil-based acrylates in your end products and looking for a high-performing, more sustainable alternative? Our first product, a tunable, biobased butenolide, is now available for early validation in your formulations.
Whether you saw our solution at a recent conference or just found us another way, this is your chance to be among the first to explore how our building block performs in applications like coatings, plastics, and adhesives.
We’re looking to connect with R&D teams ready to lead the shift.
Partner with us to drive this green transition
Partner with us to drive this green transition
We believe systemic change in chemistry takes collaboration across disciplines and sectors.
We’re always open to partners who share our commitment to a circular economy, whether your expertise is in scale-up, regulation, or commercialization. Don’t hesitate to bring your expertise to the table. Let’s combine forces to turn innovation into real-world impact.
Follow our journey, be first to invest in Circolide
Follow our journey, be first to invest in Circolide
We’re a startup with a big ambition: to make chemistry truly sustainable and circular.
With a strong founding team and breakthrough tech, we’re developing state-of-the-art technology to produce green chemical building blocks for everyday materials like coatings and plastics.
If you’re an investor looking for high-impact innovation, we’d love to have you on board early.
Our partners
Bringing breakthrough chemistry to life takes more than a bold idea, it takes the right people with the vision, experience, and drive to make it real.
Thomas Freese
Co-founder, CEO & CTO
Thomas Freese
With a PhD in Chemistry under Ben L. Feringa, Thomas is dedicated to advancing green and sustainable chemistry. In addition, he drives advocacy and provides advice for greener research practices, engaging academia, industry, and policy. At Circolide, he leads our technology platform and long-term vision, embedding sustainability at the core of industrial chemistry
Hannah Feringa
Hannah Feringa
With a Master’s in Science, Business & Innovation and seven years of corporate experience, Hannah bridges deep scientific understanding with commercial execution. She leads Circolide’s commercial strategy, secures funding, and manages daily operations beyond the technology domain.
Prathap Kaniraj
Scientist - Sustainable Organic Chemistry
Prathap Kaniraj
With research experience in India, Czechia, Israel, Sweden, and the Netherlands, Prathap specializes in asymmetric catalysis, bio-based building blocks, and green surfactants. He bridges lab discoveries with industry and at Circolide develops synthetic routes for renewable monomers to advance sustainable industrial chemistry.
At Circolide, we’re accelerating the shift to sustainable chemistry and a circular economy.
Co-founded and advised by experienced leaders in science and business.
We’re proud to be co-founded and advised by a Nobel Laureate and a senior biotech executive. Beyond that, our team is supported by a global network of expert advisors. Their expertise helps us think critically, push boundaries, and grow with purpose, from lab to real-world application.
Ben L. Feringa
Ben Feringa
As a Nobel Laureate in Chemistry and pioneer in molecular systems, Prof. Feringa brings world-class scientific depth and inspiration ensuring excellence is built into our innovation from day one.