Chinese synthetic human collagen tech startup, Trautec Medical Technology, has garnered 200 million yuan ($27.3 million) in a Series B round led by L Catterton, according to a company statement. 

Founded in 2015, the startup develops non-animal-produced, synthetic recombinant human collagen through biosynthesis primarily for medical and cosmetic use.

Trautec plans to use the funds to accelerate its international expansion and broaden the use of its synthetic collagen in skincare products, medical dressings, and aesthetic treatments, per the announcement.

In August 2022, The Shiseido Beauty Innovations Fund, co-established by the Japanese cosmetics group’s China subsidiary as a limited partner, and Boyu Capital as the fund’s general partner, invested 100 million yuan ($13.6 million) in Trautec. 

The investment comes out of L Catterton’s maiden RMB fund, which is reportedly aiming at a corpus of 2 billion yuan ($273.6 million). The fund announced hitting a first close in November last year without specifying an amount. 

L Catterton is a consumer-focused private equity firm, managing approximately $34 billion of equity capital across private equity, credit, and real estate. It has made over 250 investments in the consumer sector. 

Trautec adds to L Catterton’s portfolio of beauty and personal care companies in Asia, alongside Japanese brands Ci FLAVORS and ETVOS, as well as Mumbai-based SUGAR Cosmetics, among others.

More recently, the investment firm has also doubled down on investments in the pet food sector. It poured $60 million into India’s Drools, and has invested in Chinese pet food companies Partner Pet and Shanghai Enova Pet Products.