UK-based Circular11 has secured €2.7 million (£2.4 million) in equity funding to scale its manufacturing technology and increase the production of construction materials made from low-grade plastic waste.
The funding round was led by Vectr7 Investment Partners, a climate-focused investment firm. The FSE Group joined as co-lead investor, contributing €728,100 (£630,000) through the British Business Bank’s South West Investment Fund. Additional participation came from The FSE Investor Network, Oxford Innovation Network, private investors, and an Innovate UK grant.
The Dorset-based company plans to recycle around 10,000 tonnes of low-quality plastic waste over the next two years. The investment will support the commercial rollout of its manufacturing platform and help expand production capacity.
Founded in 2021 by Benjamin Gibbons and Connor Winter, Circular11 develops products using plastic waste that is often unsuitable for conventional recycling processes.
The founders launched the company after working on a waste management project in Nepal, where they observed the environmental and health impacts of waste burning in local communities.
Today, the company converts low-grade plastic into fencing, outdoor furniture, landscaping products, and composite lumber for the construction and estates sectors.
According to Circular11, a large volume of plastic waste cannot be reused through traditional recycling systems because the material cannot be separated into sufficiently pure streams.
To address this challenge, the company has developed a manufacturing process that adapts to variations in waste material quality. It combines material analysis, machine learning, and testing to determine suitable formulations for different plastic waste streams.
The process begins with collecting plastic waste from businesses, communities, and sorting facilities. The material is then shredded and analysed to create a chemical profile. Machine learning models use this data to identify optimal production formulations before the material undergoes strength and quality testing.
After testing, the company uses extrusion technology to manufacture plastic lumber, which is later converted into finished products. Circular11 also tracks the source of materials and associated carbon data through its proprietary digital operating system.
The company believes demand for alternative outdoor construction materials is increasing as pressure grows on timber supply chains.
Industry forecasts suggest timber demand could exceed supply in the coming decades. At the same time, restrictions on certain timber preservation methods have created interest in materials that require less maintenance and offer longer service life.
Composite lumber products made from recycled plastic can provide an alternative option while also helping divert waste from landfill and incineration.
The latest investment follows a €578,000 (£500,000) funding round raised in 2023. That capital was used to establish a full-scale recycling and manufacturing facility in Dorset and further develop the company's machine learning-driven production approach.
Commenting on the investment, Benjamin Gibbons, CEO of Circular11, said the funding would help the company expand manufacturing operations while continuing to improve its technology and material systems.
Dominic Wilson, Founder and Managing Partner at Vectr7 Investment Partners, said the construction and manufacturing sectors are increasingly seeking alternatives to traditional timber, creating opportunities for companies developing sustainable material solutions.
Looking ahead, Circular11 aims to expand its recycling technology and increase the amount of plastic waste diverted from disposal routes such as incineration and landfill.
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