CYNiO Receives Over €2 Million for the NextInnovation in the Specialty Chemicals Industry

The chemical start-up CYNiO has successfully raised over €2 million in investment funding to scale up its sustainable isocyanate production technology and expand its product portfolio in a targeted manner. The young company is setting new benchmarks in a long-established industry with safety, flexibility and future potential at its core. This is made possible by a joint investment from bmp Ventures together with IBG Innovationsfonds and TGFS Technologiegründerfonds Sachsen, whose expertise and networks will play a decisive role in CYNiO's journey towards market maturity.

CYNiO is revolutionizing the production of isocyanates with a unique, patented, CO2-based technology that does not require the use of highly toxic phosgene. The innovative technology enables the flexible and safe production of small quantities of specialty isocyanates. These isocyanates are essential components for numerous products such as pharmaceuticals, adhesives, coatings and foams and are therefore essential for industries such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture and construction. Until now, the production of such specialty products has been severely limited by the high toxicity and inflexibility of conventional processes, which has hampered innovation in research and industry.

The company will set up its first production site in the chemical park Bitterfeld-Wolfen in Saxony-Anhalt. From this location, CYNiO will supply the European market with new isocyanates, which are currently in short supply, and reduce its dependence on time-consuming and costly imports. Sales and marketing will be carried out in the Leipzig area. The location was chosen with the aim of consolidating core functions in a dynamic, technology-oriented environment.

The founding team of CYNiO consists of CEO Michéle Tille, Chief Product Officer Marlene Baumhardt and Chief Operating Officer Sophie Riedel. Michéle Tille says: “With our technology, we are creating access to rare isocyanates – safely, economically and in demand.” Marlene Baumhardt adds: “This investment is an important milestone for our team and brings us one step closer to our vision of developing innovative end products with our chemistry.”

Ywes Israel, Head of bmp Ventures, emphasises the exceptional importance of the location: “With CYNiO, another highly innovative company is coming to Bitterfeld-Wolfen, which will strengthen Saxony-Anhalt as a chemical location and Europe as a production location. I am delighted to be accompanying the traditional chemical industry into the future with this investment.”

“CYNiO is an outstanding example of how excellent research in Saxony can be transformed into market-ready high technology,” says Sören Schuster, Managing Director of TGFS. “As part of the SAXEED network, the team gained entrepreneurial experience at an early stage and made a real leap forward in the field of specialty chemicals innovation. The cooperation of two central German venture capital institutions has provided financing for the university spin-off.”