Pegasus Materials introduces bio-based high-performance polymers for electronics and 3D printing

Pegasus Materials from Geleen in the Netherlands is presenting its first market-ready products with two new materials, targeting demanding applications in electronics, data centers, and aerospace. At the same time, the company is expanding its seed financing – including capital from venture studio Ferment and investor LIOF – to accelerate the transition from pilot to series production.

The start-up was founded by Richard Pieters and Chris Schröder, both coming from materials science and biotechnology. Pegasus develops polymers that combine bio-based building blocks with conventional tools of polymer chemistry. The goal is materials that meet stringent requirements for temperature resistance, dimensional stability, and mechanical load-bearing capacity while being based on renewable raw materials.

“Our customers are pushing the limits of what materials need to do, whether it’s creating smaller parts, withstanding higher temperatures, or managing mechanical stress,” said Richard Pieters, Co-Founder and CEO of Pegasus Materials. “By combining new bio-based chemistries with deep material science know-how, we can achieve the unique performance specs that customers are looking for and also pair this with a smaller environmental footprint.”

The first product, Virela-X001, is a bio-based high-temperature polyamide material with high flowability and very low water uptake. Connector manufacturers are currently testing the material for compact USB-C connectors and DDR memory interfaces in servers, where tight tolerances and reliable electrical properties are critical.

“Pegasus Materials shows how biology adds enormous value when it’s pointed at the hardest problems in materials,” said Brian Brazeau, Partner at Ferment. “Pegasus starts with clear customer goals — like faster data transfer or lower manufacturing defect rates — and applies biotechnology and chemistry together using ML to reach performance demands efficiently and sustainably. Their model leverages existing assets for faster scaling, and we’re excited to work with LIOF and Fibrant to build Pegasus Materials.”

For 3D printing, Virela-X002 is particularly relevant, a partially bio-based polyimide material for industrial additive manufacturing. It is designed to combine nearly isotropic strength with high heat resistance, enabling parts suitable for long-term use in mechanically and thermally demanding environments. Pegasus is working with partners in aerospace and defense to qualify the material for flight-critical components where weight reduction, temperature stability, and long-term durability are paramount.

Jeffrey Lutje Spelberg, investment manager at LIOF, added: “We are very pleased to have Ferment strengthen the investor consortium. With Ferment’s deep expertise in industrial biotechnology and Fibrant’s strong materials knowledge, we now have an exceptional amount of smart money on board. This positions Pegasus Materials for success — both for the Limburg region and far beyond.”

With the new funds, Pegasus Materials plans to expand its materials platform, extend qualification programs with OEMs, and develop further polymers for high-performance applications. For users in industrial 3D printing, the Virela grades could offer an additional option whenever standard polyamides or polyesters fail to meet the required performance metrics.