Woman-Owned, Colorado Startup Awarded $1.9 Million in Phase II Funding to Advance Algae-Derived, Non-Toxic Construction Materials.

CARBONDALE, Colo - Flora Materials, an innovative biomaterials company, has successfully concluded its Phase I contract with the U.S. Army's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. The milestone demonstrates the scalability and feasibility of the company's pioneering algae-based flooring tiles, designed to reduce environmental impacts and enhance sustainability in construction. As part of the next phase, Flora Materials has been awarded an additional $1.9 million to continue developing prototype materials tailored for both construction and the Army’s sustainability objectives.

“The materials we use in construction should not only perform well but also contribute positively to our planet,” said Natalie York, Founder of Flora Materials. “While traditional building materials come with a significant environmental cost, we’re proving that it's possible to have beautiful, durable, and environmentally responsible alternatives. We believe algae has the potential to be a game-changer in the world of construction, and we’re thrilled to have the U.S. Army’s support in helping bring this vision to life.”

Founded in 2023, Flora Materials originated in 2020 as an R&D proof of concept. The company's mission is to develop bio-based building materials that outperform conventional products like Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) in terms of both functionality and aesthetic appeal, while significantly reducing environmental impact.

The U.S. Army SBIR Program partners with innovative small businesses to advance research and development. Flora Materials received $250,000 in 2023 to kickstart Phase I of its research on algae-based composite flooring.

The company's breakthrough technology replaces polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a petroleum-based material, with a sustainable algae-derived polyurethane composite that cuts carbon emissions. Flora’s algae-based materials support the Army’s goal to reduce greenhouse gases by 50% while also offering transformative potential for the construction industry at large. Traditional PVC flooring production contributes over 10 million tons of CO2 annually, and Flora’s algae-based alternatives promise to help mitigate this environmental burden by improving recyclability, minimizing waste, and utilizing algae’s carbon-capturing properties.

The Phase II contract aims to create a scalable algae-based flooring product that is durable, sustainable, easy to install, and capable of being manufactured in sufficient volume to supply an 800-square-foot accessory dwelling unit (ADU) by the end of the 24-month contract. The following technical objectives are central to this goal:

• Achieve large-scale manufacturing capable of producing over 800 square feet of tiles per production cycle
• Develop a flooring prototype that meets ASTM standards, positioning it as a competitive alternative to PVC-based products
• Ensure the product contains enough bio-based content to pass USDA BioPreferred certification
• Design a prototype that qualifies for “Made in the U.S.” certification

While the initial focus is on interior flooring, Flora Materials has plans to expand its algae-based biomaterials into other building material applications in the future.

For more information about Flora Materials and its innovative products, visit www.floramaterials.com.

About Flora Materials

Flora Materials is a woman-owned biomaterials company that is reshaping the construction industry by developing sustainable, algae-based building materials. Founded in 2023, the company operates as the research and development arm within West 40 Studio, an architecture and design firm based in Carbondale, Colorado. Flora Materials brings together scientists, engineers, and designers to pioneer sustainable solutions that prioritize both environmental and human well-being. Initially focusing on algae-based flooring, the company is set to transform the broader construction industry with a comprehensive range of non-toxic, eco-friendly building materials. Learn more at www.floramaterials.com.