Trieste, 6 March 2024

The capital increase was underwritten by Samer & Co Shipping as lead investor and by the Zero accelerator, the programme in CDP Venture Capital's National Accelerator Network dedicated to cleantech, with a follow-on investment that saw the participation of CDP Venture Capital and Zest.

Founded in 2020, nlcomp^® quickly established itself as a trailblazer in sustainable innovation, developing advanced materials such as rComposite^®, a recyclable composite material that has already earned DNV's statement on verification of recycled content and recyclability according to ISO 14021:2021. 

The company took its first steps in the nautical sector with the ecoracer projects and with collaborations with leading European companies such as Cantiere del Pardo and Devoti Sailing, and today it is working to enter the wind energy sector where it is collaborating with the start-up Windcity to develop vertical wind turbine blades, with the aim of proposing cutting-edge solutions to reduce the environmental impact in various industrial sectors where fibreglass is used.

With regard to the capital increase carried out by Samer & Co. Shipping for nlcomp, the company's chairman, Enrico Samer, remarked “We have been involved in the company since its founding. Our initial support for the startup has turned into a significant investment, with the goal of being directly engaged in a strategic industrial sector while also adding value to a team of young people who have shown they know how to work hard and progress over time. Indeed, nlcomp's commitment reflects the values of Samer & Co. Shipping and offers substantial added value for the Samer Group”.

“We are very pleased with this follow-on in nlcomp, which we have already selected for acceleration in ZERO. This solution can concretely help promote sustainable solutions in composite materials applied to different markets. Contributing to nlcomp's growth will be a beautiful journey together with Zest and the other ZERO partners”, commented Stefano Molino, Senior Partner and Accelerator Fund Manager of CDP Venture Capital.

“This capital increase represents a key milestone in our growth,” said Fabio Bignolini, CEO and co-founder of nlcomp^®. “Thanks to the support of high-profile investors such as Samer & Co Shipping, CDP Venture Capital and Zest, we will be able to structure our team, open our first production site and accelerate the development of new sustainable projects”.

The funds raised as part of this capital increase, together with the 504,000 euro loan from Invitalia under the Smart&Start programme, will be allocated to.

• Launch the production of rComposite^® at a new industrial site.
• Expand international partnerships in the nautical sectors.
• Accelerate research and development in new industrial sectors starting from wind.