A Surrey-based company is transforming the packaging industry with a groundbreaking bio-composite material that offers a truly circular alternative to traditional materials like polystyrene and paper pulp.
Woven Bio was founded by entrepreneur Rob Allen, who brings 20 years of experience in automotive and motorsports, including time spent at McLaren and in Formula 1. Four years ago, he pivoted into sustainability and start-up life, and is now founding Woven Bio to turn waste materials into innovative, circular solutions.
The company’s bio-composite material addresses a critical environmental challenge; up to 60% of fossil fuel-based foam packaging waste currently ends up in landfill. Their solution is 100% biobased, with every component derived from renewable resources – using natural fibre material waste which would otherwise be left to rot or burned.
Unlike paper pulp, which lacks strength and humidity resistance, or polystyrene, which typically ends up in landfill, Woven Bio’s material is designed to withstand environmental stresses and naturally break down. It’s also reusable and compostable – designed with true circularity in mind.
A grant from Surrey County Council’s Economic Growth Fund has proved vital to the company’s development, enabling them to establish their first facility, at an Innovation Centre at Dorking. “It really wouldn’t have happened without the grant,” Rob explained.
Future plans made possible by the funding
The facility will handle early-stage prototyping and initial orders, with plans for a much larger facility later in 2026.
And the grant’s impact extends beyond infrastructure. Initially intended to fund one part-time staff member, the company now plans to bring on five part-time employees.
The early-adopter customer base is diverse, and Rob said: “We’ve got a white goods manufacturer; a Surrey based perfume manufacturer testing the luxury, high end market, that’s more about aesthetics; an electronics product; and a medical customer, they need thermal protection. If we prove out all those, that is very broad.”
Rob is passionate about building the company in Surrey and establishing the region as an innovation hub. “I live here and I am very passionate about building this company here and Surrey being an innovation hub.”
He said the funding has been instrumental in turning that vision into reality, supporting local manufacturing while creating jobs and fostering innovation across the region.
The Surrey Economic Growth Fund
To date almost £2 million has been awarded to dozens of recipients across the county via the Surrey Economic Growth Fund. This funding has helped to unlock significant match funding and private investment, growing Surrey’s economy by £9 million.
Although the Growth Fund is now closed to new applications, any Surrey business looking for funding or help to grow can receive fully-funded support from Business Surrey. Get in touch to find out more via our Contact us form.
