Seed Innovations Limited (AIM: SEED), the AIM-quoted investing company focused on high-growth ventures, has noted a significant commercial milestone at portfolio company Clean Food Group ("CFG"), which has launched its fermentation-derived CLEANOil™ ingredient in a consumer skincare product for the first time. Scottish skincare brand Raven Botanicals has incorporated CLEANOil™ into its 24 Carat Oil to Milk Cleanser, marking the world's first commercial use of CFG's sustainably produced oil in a consumer product. The development follows three years of development work and represents a material step in CFG's strategy to commercialise its proprietary biotechnology platform, an outcome that investors in SEED may be watching closely given the company's disclosed stake in CFG.

Key Points

  • Seed Innovations Limited (AIM: SEED) is an AIM-quoted investing company focused on robotics, AI, and a legacy portfolio in wellness and life sciences
  • Portfolio company Clean Food Group has achieved the world-first commercial launch of its fermentation-derived CLEANOil™ in Raven Botanicals' 24 Carat Oil to Milk Cleanser
  • SEED holds 7,161,336 ordinary shares in CFG, representing approximately 4.5% of CFG's fully diluted share capital, alongside a £260,000 convertible loan note investment
  • Investors should watch whether this commercial launch accelerates further skincare sector partnerships or drives CFG's next fundraising activity

CLEANOil™ Debuts in Raven Botanicals' 24 Carat Oil to Milk Cleanser After Three Years of Development

Clean Food Group describes itself as a leading UK biotech manufacturer pioneering sustainable oils and fats through fermentation. Its CLEANOilCell™ technology platform produces triglyceride oils via fermentation rather than conventional agricultural methods, providing cosmetic brands with bio-equivalent alternatives to agriculturally intensive ingredients. Raven Botanicals has become the first skincare company globally to formulate with CLEANOil™, completely replacing traditional oils in its 24 Carat Oil to Milk Cleanser. The announcement states that the ingredient provides high oleic acid content, oxidative stability, and emollient properties while maintaining expected product quality.

CFG's Path to Market: THG LABS Partnership and Regulatory Approval Across UK, Europe and US

CFG's route to this commercial launch involved a strategic partnership with THG LABS, described as a leading UK full-service cosmetics product developer and manufacturer, initiated in October 2024. That collaboration focused on developing oils and fats from food waste for cosmetic applications. Building on this, CFG secured regulatory approval in September 2025 for CLEANOil™ to be used in cosmetic applications across the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States. This regulatory clearance was identified in the announcement as the pivotal milestone that enabled the ingredient's transition from laboratory development into commercial skincare formulations.

SEED's Stake in CFG: 4.5% Equity Holding and £260,000 Convertible Loan Note

Seed Innovations holds 7,161,336 ordinary shares in Clean Food Group, representing approximately 4.5% of CFG's issued share capital on a fully diluted basis, as disclosed in the announcement. In addition, SEED holds a £260,000 convertible loan note investment in CFG. SEED's broader investment strategy centres on providing access to high-growth robotics and AI ventures, while also managing a legacy portfolio in wellness and life sciences. The CFG holding sits within that legacy portfolio, and the announcement suggests CFG's commercial progress forms part of SEED's medium-term strategy to unlock value from these assets.