Construction and demolition waste makes up nearly 40% of all waste generated in the EU. Yet the materials most commonly used in architecture, concrete, marble, and terrazzo, still depend almost entirely on newly extracted resources. enkei, a Stockholm-based startup, is working to change that. The company recently closed an oversubscribed pre-seed round at a €3 million valuation, with funding going toward the commercialzsation of its flagship material, ReCeramix™.
The raise amount was not disclosed, but the round attracted a notably credible group of backers. Investors include Danish architect Anders Lendager, whose firm won the competition to design the UN17 Village, the first building project designed to meet all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Also joining were RadCap, a Swedish investment firm owned by 81 women that focuses on female founded early stage startups, and Ulf Mattsson, former CEO and President of Tarkett Inc, a major surface materials group.
What ReCeramix™ Actually Does:
ReCeramix™ is a ceramic based architectural surface material made from over 90% recovered construction and ceramic demolition waste. It is designed as a direct alternative to decorative concrete, marble, and terrazzo for interior surfaces. The material reduces cement use by up to 80% compared to conventional decorative concrete and is produced using green electricity.
In appearance and performance, it delivers a stone like finish without relying on newly quarried materials. Current applications include tabletops, window sills, and bespoke installations. It is already deployed commercially at Stockholm boutique hotel Ett Hem, members club Angel House, and cultural venue Fotografiska.
From Landfills to Design Objects:
enkei was founded in 2022 by Lovisa Sunnerholm and Miriam Bichsel. Sunnerholm previously worked at Electrolux and Google, while Bichsel built her design career at luxury brands including Hermès and Bottega Veneta. The two spent months visiting construction sites and landfills before identifying ceramic waste as the material stream with the most potential for lasting impact.
To validate ReCeramix™ before scaling into architecture, the enkei world team first applied it to a line of lighting products. The Reminder (001) lamp, designed by ASCA Studio, launched at Nordiska Kompaniet in 2024. Distribution followed through Nordiska Galleriet in Stockholm and The Oblist in Paris, a curated design platform backed by Audemars Piguet. The products served as proof that the material could perform in real commercial conditions.
Funding and What Comes Next:
Beyond private investment, enkei has also secured €110,000 in EU grant funding through the Interreg programme, part of a cross border collaborative project valued at around €430,000. The company has additionally received the ELLE Decoration Inspirer of the Year award and the Plaza Sustainability award.
The funding will be used to advance R&D and accelerate the commercial rollout of ReCeramix™. The company also plans to refine its production process, expand into larger architectural surfaces, and strengthen its supply chain. The long term goal is to build a platform where waste from existing buildings becomes feedstock for new ones.
The Circular Materials Argument:
The structural problem enkei is addressing is well documented. Cement alone accounts for roughly 8% of global CO2 emissions. Construction is Europe’s largest waste generating sector, yet material specification in architecture has remained largely unchanged for decades. enkei’s argument, backed now by investors with direct experience in surface materials and sustainable building, is that circular alternatives can compete on price, performance, and design.
The team has grown to include Anton Tornberg as COO, who previously led demand and supply management at Ericsson, and materials scientists with patents in ceramic processing. Thomas Granfeldt, a professor specialising in bio based materials and industrial processing, also joined the current round. That combination of design credibility, operational experience, and materials science gives enkei a well rounded foundation as it moves from validated products into larger scale architectural applications.
For developers and architects exploring circular construction materials, or anyone tracking the Women in Tech and sustainability funding space in Europe, enkei is a useful company to follow as the architectural materials sector starts to see real commercial alternatives emerge.
