SGMA

SGMA (Sol-Gel Materials and Applications Ltd) is a UK-based advanced materials science company founded in 2017 by Dr Fanya Ismail. The company is headquartered at Kent Science Park in Sittingbourne and has developed a proprietary sol-gel coating technology — branded as Solgelica — that makes paper and other substrate materials impermeable to liquids and gases without the use of synthetic polymers, plastics, or toxic chemicals. The technology is derived from silica sand and produces coatings that are biodegradable, compostable, and compatible with standard paper recycling infrastructure.

The primary commercial problem SGMA addresses is the ubiquity of single-use plastic-lined packaging in food service and consumer goods. The familiar disposable coffee cup — estimated at 2.5 billion units consumed annually in the UK alone — uses a thin polyethylene liner that prevents the cup from being recycled through most kerbside systems. SGMA's Solgelica coating replaces this plastic liner, enabling the paper cup to be recycled, composted, or biodegraded without leaving harmful microplastics. The same technology applies to trays, food containers, moisture-resistant materials for construction and logistics, and a growing range of industrial applications where chemical resistance has historically required plastic lamination.

SGMA's coating approach modifies the substrate itself rather than adding a separate barrier layer, avoiding the complexity and recyclability problems of multi-material laminate structures. The company's technology platform is protected by granted patents and over 70 patent applications worldwide, with Dr Ismail listed as inventor across all of them. SGMA has been recognised by Innovate UK — including a 'Women in Innovation' award in 2019 — and won the Diamond Prize at the MassChallenge Switzerland 2020 accelerator.

In May 2024, SGMA secured £4 million from global alternative asset manager Oaktree Capital Management to scale manufacturing capabilities and develop commercial partnerships across packaging, food service, and industrial materials markets. The company has previously trialled its technology with Starbucks, McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Yum! Brands, and the WWF, and is actively pursuing EU and UK regulatory food safety certifications ahead of broader commercial rollout.