Lingrove Secures $10M Round to Expand Carbon-Negative Wood Alternative

Even niche industries are seeking eco-friendly materials and processes. Lingrove offers a carbon-negative alternative to laminates with ekoa, a high-stiffness and durable flax fiber and plant-based resins.

Lingrove’s Series B Round was led by Lewis & Clark Agrifood and Diamond Edge Ventures, with participation from Bunge Ventures and SOSV.

The company claims ekoa is better for the environment and air quality indoors while being as good or better in terms of strength and performance. The material performs well and does not offgas into indoor environments.

Ekoa can be tweaked for various shades or opacities and has all the advantages of artificial laminates while also being carbon negative and reusable when retired.

CEO Joe Luttwak stated, “Using post-industrial feedstock can, in some cases, be positive for the environment; however many of those byproducts are still emitting VOCs [volatile organic compounds] which are detrimental for indoor air quality, and they are not able to be made into high performing materials.”

Ekoa is decorative and resistant to solvents and oils, making it an ideal alternative to traditional wood veneers.

The startup aims to expand into the automotive world with the new investment.