Oterra Partners with Seprify to Launch Natural White Alternative to Titanium Dioxide
Natural color solutions specialist Oterra has entered a strategic commercial partnership with Swiss materials innovator Seprify to introduce a plant-based white colouring designed to replace titanium dioxide (TiO₂) in food and beverage applications.
By incorporating Seprify’s patented cellulose-based technology, Oterra will offer manufacturers a renewable, clean-label alternative that delivers the same opacity, brightness and whitening performance as titanium dioxide while substantially reducing environmental impact.
The collaboration combines Oterra’s global application expertise and market reach with Seprify’s materials science and process innovation capabilities. Over the past two years, the partners have jointly tested the ingredient in more than 15 product categories, including bakery icings, confectionery coatings, sauces, plant-based dairy and meat, and powdered beverages.
Seprify’s proprietary extraction process produces cellulose-based particles that mimic natural light-scattering structures to create a bright white appearance.
“Oterra has developed one of the largest portfolios of natural colors in response to growing consumer demand for alternatives to artificial colors. While we have good, natural raw materials to replace titanium dioxide in selected applications, this new source of white gives us better options for a broader range of food and beverage applications,” said Luc Ganivet, Chief Innovation Officer, Oterra. “The sustainability profile of the technology means that Oterra can also get closer to its goals of reducing the amount of carbon dioxide released. Together with Seprify, we’re ensuring that performance, safety, and sustainability go hand in hand for the next generation of food formulations.”
The new white colouring offers easy dispersion, excellent whitening power, light, heat and pH stability, and requires lower dosages than other alternatives, with a neutral flavour and odour. It is derived from microcrystalline cellulose sourced from FSC-certified virgin wood pulp that is 100% renewable, producing up to 80% lower CO₂ emissions compared to titanium dioxide. The ingredient is nano-compliant and food-safe under EU and US regulations.
“Oterra’s scale and formulation expertise make them the ideal partner to bring our cellulose innovation into mainstream food applications,” said Dr. Lukas Schertel, CEO and co-founder of Seprify. “Together, we’re proving that natural materials can deliver the same whitening performance as titanium dioxide while cutting CO₂ and meeting new legislative demands. It’s a major step toward making sustainable ingredients the default choice for global food brands.”
“This partnership marks the next chapter in Seprify’s growth — translating scientific validation into commercial momentum,” added Oliver Polcher, Chief Business Officer and co-founder of Seprify. “By combining Oterra’s global reach with our scalable cellulose platform, we’re accelerating market adoption and building the commercial infrastructure for Seprify’s next growth phase. It’s a clear signal that sustainable ingredients can compete — and win — at industrial scale.”
The new natural white is now available for customer trials, with further studies underway across major regions. Beyond food, the partnership is expected to open opportunities for sustainable colour and opacity systems in adjacent markets, reinforcing both companies’ commitments to responsible innovation and circular materials development.