Latest news with #biomaterials
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Brightplus Scores Growth Funding, Accelerates Circular Innovation
Brightplus is taking a big leap. The Finnish biomaterials firm has raised over $2 million in funding to take its flagship textile coating technology, BrightBio, from pilot scale to full production. More from Sourcing Journal Södra Reports Q2 Loss on Weaker Demand, Currency Headwinds Material (Matters) World: Aifunghi's Mycelium Bound, Fluffy Furniture Gen Phoenix Closes $15M Round, Enters 3-Year Supply Deal with Tapestry Zurich technology-driven impact investor Collateral Good led the round, with co-lead investment from Nordic Butterfly Ventures, a Helsinki-headquartered investment firm focused on early-stage innovations—especially those in deep tech and hardware—that reportedly captured 20 percent of the region's market within five years of founding. Additional investors included private equity fund Nordic Option and venture capital firm FutureLab-X, among others. Brightplus turns industrial side-stream inputs and natural resources into sustainable, high-performing alternatives to conventional fossil-based materials. The Finnish firm develops advanced, bio-sourced materials using a circular economy model by leveraging its proprietary BrightBio technology—which the Oulu-based bio-business calls the 'first truly scalable and renewable coating that enables the recycling of coated textiles.' 'We have deep understanding of different sustainable raw materials and how to combine them into functional solutions and recipes that deliver performance without compromise,' said Milja Hannu-Kuure, CEO of Brightplus. 'Safe, European-sourced raw materials are also a key advantage that helps us stand out in the international market.' The BrightBio filaments are based on the chemical compound polylactic acid—a biodegradable thermoplastic polyester derived from renewable resources such as corn starch or sugarcane. These PLA-based filaments are modified with BrightBio technology, the renewable materials manufacturer said, promoting a circular economy model. Because the BrightBio materials are derived from renewable monomers as well as polymers from nature and non-edible vegetable oils, the solution is fully circular; both the coating and the fabric can be recycled after use, the green chemistry and circular solutions developer said. The BrightBio filament for 3D printing, for instance, incorporates industrial side-streams like bio-ash (40 percent) with other offerings up to 99.5 percent renewable content. By using drop-in compatible granules on standard industrial lines, Brightplus said, the team can swiftly scale its solution while keeping its emissions, complexity and capital expenditures (CapEx) low. 'We have proven the effectiveness of our technology in pilot projects with leading brands,' Hannu-Kuure said. 'We're now ready to scale this sustainable vision into practice.' After launching in the glass coating space, Brightplus is now targeting textiles, where PFAS bans and circularity mandates are ramping up regulatory pressure. The circular and functional textile coating made from renewable biobased raw materials achieved Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification in November. The Swiss chemical management company defined BrightBio's scope as 'partly biobased granulate based on partly biobased polyester, cellulose derivative and non-edible side stream soybean oil' and 'intended for coating on textiles, for water repellent properties or as stand-alone artificial leather.' 'Pure water is one of the most precious resources on the planet—that's why BrightBio was designed as a fully waterless solution. It sets a new standard for ethical, regulation-ready coated textiles,' said Jarkko Leivo, chief technology officer and co-founder at Brightplus. 'Our one-layer tech delivers multiple performance features fitting seamlessly into the existing workflows without the burden of green premium.' Brightplus will use the funding to leave the lab by 'investing into the digital tools and local sourcing fuel necessary for a sustainable scale-up.' Key to transitioning its coating technology from pilot scale to full industrial production is the startup's ability to adapt. 'At Collateral Good, we invest in solutions with the potential to reshape entire industries,' said Mariana Gonzalez, principal at Collateral Good. 'Brightplus stands out with a commercially viable, PFAS-free, biobased coating technology that meets real market demand.' With a 10.7 percent increase in U.S. bioplastics exports at its fastest annual gain in the past decade, per preliminary data from the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC), market demand suggests that investing in the regulation-ready and cost-competitive platform was something of a natural fit for Collateral Good. Brightplus uses materials derived from industrial side-streams—including the food and forest industry's bio-ash outputs—to reduce industry dependence on non-renewable inputs. For Collateral Good, this 'radically local and circular approach' aligns with the Simplifyber-backing firm's mission to support climate-positive efforts across the fashion industry and textile sector. 'By sourcing raw materials from agricultural waste streams, Brightplus not only address a critical sustainability gap but do so with strong economics,' Gonzalez said. 'We're excited to back a highly-experienced founding team that combines deep industry knowledge with a clear vision for scaling impact.' That highly-experienced team is spread across three countries and four cities. The Finnish material science developer operates out of Oulu with three additional offices—one in the southern region's lakeside city Tampere, the second in Manchester, England and the third in Ljubljana, Slovenia—specializing in biobased coatings and bioplastics for textiles, glass and packaging. Founded in 2014, the team of 15 celebrated 10 years with 2024 revenues exceeding 1 million euros. 'Customer-validated added value, the team's top expertise and a strong patent portfolio providing sustainable competitive advantage made our investment decision easy,' said Ville Heikkinen, partner at Butterfly Ventures. 'We've made many investments related to sustainability and received recognition for it; Brightplus fits perfectly into our focus area. The huge benefits of its solution compared to competitors will accelerate the company's growth.' Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Independent
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
A designer dressed Chappell Roan with seaweed. But don't expect to find the approach in stores — yet
At her kitchen stove, fashion designer Caroline Zimbalist looks like an alchemist at work as she stirs a pot full of corn starch and a thickener made from seaweed. The peppermint-scented mixture glitters as she carefully pours it into silicone molds of hearts and leaves. When the material hardens, Zimbalist will stitch it into unique, made-to-order dresses that she sells on her website. She hopes her designs, which have been worn by celebrities including Chappell Roan, will put a spotlight on materials that aren't sourced from planet-polluting fossil fuels, such as oil. 'It's almost like a vessel to show the world,' she said. Other small-scale designers are testing out tapioca, gelatin and other kitchen-shelf ingredients. Meanwhile, big names such as Adidas and Hermes have experimented with mushroom leather, while the Lycra brand is incorporating a new largely corn-based material into stretch fabric. Some experts are skeptical that these textiles — commonly referred to as biomaterials — will go mainstream, but designers such as Zimbalist hope their experiments will set an example for larger brands to follow. Over 60% of clothing comes from petroleum-based synthetics like polyester, according to Textile Exchange, a nonprofit that promotes sustainable fashion. Manufacturing those materials creates emissions. Synthetic garments can also shed microplastics during washing. And as fast-fashion brands pump out new clothes for customers who expect new designs every few weeks, many garments end up in landfills. Zimbalist's designs gained attention in 2024 when Roan wore one on 'The Tonight Show.' The dress was decorated with a seaweed derivative called carrageenan. The New York-based designer has since dressed stars such as Atsuko Okatsuka, Anna Lore and Reneé Rapp. She takes commissions for custom clothing pieces, which cost between $150 and $1,200, via her website, which notes her 'unique recipe of biodegradable and natural materials." As to whether her approach could be reproduced at a larger scale, Zimbalist says her materials could most practically be used to replace plastic hardware such as buttons and zippers. She acknowledges they can be sticky if not dried correctly, stinky if not treated and melty if exposed to extreme heat. 'Even incorporating it in small ways to start would be really strong,' she said. Why biomaterials are hard to find Fossil-fuel derived fabrics are ubiquitous because they're cheap and made from plentiful raw materials, said Dale Rogers, an Arizona State University professor who studies supply chains. Many clothes are also made of materials that come from plants or animals such as cotton, silk, wool and cashmere. But some have environmental impacts. Cotton uses a lot of water. Sheep and goats burp out methane. Some biomaterials have gotten closer to widespread use. Mycelium leather, made from mushrooms, has been used to create luxury shoes, accessories and handbags by brands such as Stella McCartney, Lululemon, Adidas and Hermes. Still, Rogers said he's not convinced there's enough demand for alternative materials to overcome companies' aversion to the higher costs of producing them at a large scale. 'Honestly, in the end, cost drives almost all decisions,' he said. Wrinkles in aiming for sustainability Getting larger companies to use alternative materials depends on whether they will pay more for a fabric that matches their values, said Jon Veldhouse, the CEO of Qore LLC. His company makes a product called Qira that replaces about 70% of the fossil-derived components of elastic synthetic fabrics with a corn-based material. The Lycra Company, which sells its stretchy material to major brands, initially expects to incorporate Qira in around 25 percent of its Spandex business, said Lycra chief brand and innovation officer Steve Stewart. But that option will be more expensive, and they haven't yet announced any takers. It can also be hard to measure the sustainability of farming practices that go into producing raw materials for new fabrics. Cargill is Qore's partner and corn supplier, and it gets its grain from farmers in the vicinity of their processing plant. Veldhouse said many already plant cover crops or reduce tilling to lower environmental impact, but he couldn't provide data on how many use those approaches. Sarah Needham, a senior director at Textile Exchange, said it's great to see a large organization such as Lycra making its production systems more sustainable. But she also stressed the industry needs to reduce its overreliance on virgin materials, perhaps considering agricultural waste as a source of fabric. The role of experimental designers Needham said experimental designers are often the ones coming up with those alternatives to virgin materials and building appetite for new approaches. But small designers might not have the resources to test the biodegradability of their materials, which often do involve processing, even if it's by hand, said Ramani Narayan, an engineering professor at Michigan State University. 'If I take something — like seaweed or whatever it is — and I apply a process to it, then I can no longer call it natural," he said. Zimbalist, the New York designer, acknowledges that her materials aren't ready to replace conventional fabrics and that her work is more of 'a piece that leads to larger conversations.' Rogers, of Arizona State, thinks the fashion industry is a long way from meaningful change, but that 'it's incredibly valuable" for artists and specialty manufacturers to try new materials. 'What they're doing is likely to have long-term benefit, maybe even after their lifetimes,' he added. ___ Follow Melina Walling on X @MelinaWalling and Bluesky @ Follow Kiki Sideris on X @KikiSideris. ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
Associated Press
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
A designer dressed Chappell Roan with seaweed. But don't expect to find the approach in stores — yet
NEW YORK (AP) — At her kitchen stove, fashion designer Caroline Zimbalist looks like an alchemist at work as she stirs a pot full of corn starch and a thickener made from seaweed. The peppermint-scented mixture glitters as she carefully pours it into silicone molds of hearts and leaves. When the material hardens, Zimbalist will stitch it into unique, made-to-order dresses that she sells on her website. She hopes her designs, which have been worn by celebrities including Chappell Roan, will put a spotlight on materials that aren't sourced from planet-polluting fossil fuels, such as oil. 'It's almost like a vessel to show the world,' she said. Other small-scale designers are testing out tapioca, gelatin and other kitchen-shelf ingredients. Meanwhile, big names such as Adidas and Hermes have experimented with mushroom leather, while the Lycra brand is incorporating a new largely corn-based material into stretch fabric. Some experts are skeptical that these textiles — commonly referred to as biomaterials — will go mainstream, but designers such as Zimbalist hope their experiments will set an example for larger brands to follow. Over 60% of clothing comes from petroleum-based synthetics like polyester, according to Textile Exchange, a nonprofit that promotes sustainable fashion. Manufacturing those materials creates emissions. Synthetic garments can also shed microplastics during washing. And as fast-fashion brands pump out new clothes for customers who expect new designs every few weeks, many garments end up in landfills. Zimbalist's designs gained attention in 2024 when Roan wore one on 'The Tonight Show.' The dress was decorated with a seaweed derivative called carrageenan. The New York-based designer has since dressed stars such as Atsuko Okatsuka, Anna Lore and Reneé Rapp. She takes commissions for custom clothing pieces, which cost between $150 and $1,200, via her website, which notes her 'unique recipe of biodegradable and natural materials.' As to whether her approach could be reproduced at a larger scale, Zimbalist says her materials could most practically be used to replace plastic hardware such as buttons and zippers. She acknowledges they can be sticky if not dried correctly, stinky if not treated and melty if exposed to extreme heat. 'Even incorporating it in small ways to start would be really strong,' she said. Why biomaterials are hard to find Fossil-fuel derived fabrics are ubiquitous because they're cheap and made from plentiful raw materials, said Dale Rogers, an Arizona State University professor who studies supply chains. Many clothes are also made of materials that come from plants or animals such as cotton, silk, wool and cashmere. But some have environmental impacts. Cotton uses a lot of water. Sheep and goats burp out methane. Some biomaterials have gotten closer to widespread use. Mycelium leather, made from mushrooms, has been used to create luxury shoes, accessories and handbags by brands such as Stella McCartney, Lululemon, Adidas and Hermes. Still, Rogers said he's not convinced there's enough demand for alternative materials to overcome companies' aversion to the higher costs of producing them at a large scale. 'Honestly, in the end, cost drives almost all decisions,' he said. Wrinkles in aiming for sustainability Getting larger companies to use alternative materials depends on whether they will pay more for a fabric that matches their values, said Jon Veldhouse, the CEO of Qore LLC. His company makes a product called Qira that replaces about 70% of the fossil-derived components of elastic synthetic fabrics with a corn-based material. The Lycra Company, which sells its stretchy material to major brands, initially expects to incorporate Qira in around 25 percent of its Spandex business, said Lycra chief brand and innovation officer Steve Stewart. But that option will be more expensive, and they haven't yet announced any takers. It can also be hard to measure the sustainability of farming practices that go into producing raw materials for new fabrics. Cargill is Qore's partner and corn supplier, and it gets its grain from farmers in the vicinity of their processing plant. Veldhouse said many already plant cover crops or reduce tilling to lower environmental impact, but he couldn't provide data on how many use those approaches. Sarah Needham, a senior director at Textile Exchange, said it's great to see a large organization such as Lycra making its production systems more sustainable. But she also stressed the industry needs to reduce its overreliance on virgin materials, perhaps considering agricultural waste as a source of fabric. The role of experimental designers Needham said experimental designers are often the ones coming up with those alternatives to virgin materials and building appetite for new approaches. But small designers might not have the resources to test the biodegradability of their materials, which often do involve processing, even if it's by hand, said Ramani Narayan, an engineering professor at Michigan State University. 'If I take something — like seaweed or whatever it is — and I apply a process to it, then I can no longer call it natural,' he said. Zimbalist, the New York designer, acknowledges that her materials aren't ready to replace conventional fabrics and that her work is more of 'a piece that leads to larger conversations.' Rogers, of Arizona State, thinks the fashion industry is a long way from meaningful change, but that 'it's incredibly valuable' for artists and specialty manufacturers to try new materials. 'What they're doing is likely to have long-term benefit, maybe even after their lifetimes,' he added. ___ Follow Melina Walling on X @MelinaWalling and Bluesky @ Follow Kiki Sideris on X @KikiSideris. ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
Irish Times
10-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Biomaterials and ‘brains in a dish' for future treatments
What is your line of work? All of my research is about the brain. I have two main lines of research in my lab. In one, we are developing ways to test how mechanical forces and drugs affect brain cells. We grow the brain cells in the lab and see how they behave under various conditions. The other is research on an approach we call TrapKill, which uses a biomaterial that we are engineering with the hope to make therapies for brain cancer more effective. My work applies engineering in medicine, and I have a joint appointment in the medicine and engineering schools here at the University of Galway and I work in Cúram, which is the Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices. TrapKill is a dramatic name – tell us more about it TrapKill is a type of material called a hydrogel, which can be put into the body. We make it with three-dimensional channels in it that are designed to trap and compress cells. READ MORE The ultimate idea is that after a brain tumour, such as glioblastoma, is removed by surgery, the gel could be placed in the cavity to weaken the trapped cancer cells and make them more susceptible to radiation and drug treatments. I got funding for this project from the European Research Council. You also grow 'brains in a dish' – can you explain? We programme commercially available stem cells to grow into brains from the cortical region, particularly. Still, we can also combine them with other brain regions. I got national funding for this project through Research Ireland and Cúram. What do you do with these groups of brain cells? For some of them, we look at what happens when force is applied to them. This helps us to better understand how cells could respond to traumatic brain injury. We also look at how the groups of cells respond to each other. For example, if we combine cells from different brain regions, we see faster development of star-shaped cells called astrocytes that carry out many functions in the brain. How did you become interested in research? Growing up in Medellín, Colombia, my parents were a huge inspiration. My father is a pharmaceutical chemist, and my mother is a retired bacteriologist. I loved visiting their labs as a child, and they inspired in me the persistence and rigour that are important for research. They still inspire me. What was your journey to Galway? I studied in Colombia, the United States, Italy and France, and I completed my PhD with Dr Manus Biggs in Galway. I then worked in the UK for a few years before returning to Cúram in 2022 and establishing my own lab here. What keeps you going in your research? I really love it. It's hard work, the hours are long and you are always thinking about it, but I have a huge passion for research. I see so many people now who are living with cancer and brain diseases, and these are areas where we need research for even better treatments. This keeps me going. What do you like to do outside of research? I do reformer Pilates religiously, which keeps me strong and flexible. It's a great antidote to all the sitting down and writing I do as part of my research. I love walking around and painting. I also have lovely plants that I take care of.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Spiber Inc. and Iris van Herpen Unite for a Visionary Collaboration at Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week AW2025
YAMAGATA, Japan, July 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At the forefront of high fashion and biomaterial innovation, Japanese biotech venture Spiber, a pioneer in man-made protein fiber, and acclaimed Dutch haute couture designer Iris van Herpen together unveiled one of the designer's two bridal looks during Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2025. This partnership represents a powerful dialogue between science and art—two pioneering voices united by a shared aspiration to redefine the future of fashion. Both founded in 2007, Spiber and Iris van Herpen have followed parallel paths of radical experimentation: Spiber in biomaterial engineering, and Van Herpen in avant-garde couture design. Their collaboration signals a deep philosophical alignment, where creativity, technology, and sustainability are not separate pursuits, but interconnected forces shaping a new material narrative. This shared belief is grounded in a common source of inspiration: nature. While Van Herpen draws from the forms, rhythms, and intelligence of the natural world in her designs, Spiber engineers entirely new proteins by designing DNA based on examples found in nature such as spider silk, cashmere fibers, silk cocoons, and more. The result is a new class of material, one not found in the natural world, yet containing the fingerprints of its underlying logic. "Biomimicry is ever-present in Spiber's approach and that is truly similar to our own methods. Fusing the organic with the innovative, recreating nature's way of making a material, starting with a protein… Spiber has been able to translate a complex technology to meet the needs of designers and create something truly wearable, which is a rare quality. I feel Brewed Protein™ fiber brings a lightness and a softness that I am looking for, resulting in fabric that floats around the skin. It has a very attractive, organic, and natural presence which is embodied in the whole look. The Spiber team and I share the same attention to detail and texture—the sensorial qualities of the material." – Iris van Herpen Spiber's Brewed Protein™ fiber is the only man-made protein fiber to be successfully industrialized, positioning the company as a global leader in biomaterials for fashion and beyond. The material forms the foundation of the bridal look, where sheer organza is cut in gradient-sized moonshapes and heatbonded to the laser cut Brewed Protein™ fabric bonings. Hundreds of white coral petals are then stitched upwards onto a nude illusion tulle, spiralling down into a translucent twisted train. "At Spiber, we believe in the expressive power of materials—their ability to tell stories, to inspire emotion, and to redefine our relationship with nature. Working with Iris van Herpen, whose designs go beyond the physical to evoke the beauty of life's complexity, has resulted in an extraordinary manifestation of our mutual values. Our Brewed Protein™ fiber was born from the same curiosity that drives Iris's work: a desire to explore the boundaries of what is possible when we look to nature for questions, without focusing solely on answers. This collaboration reflects a vision of fashion that is both sensorial and systemic, where fabrics are not just worn, but experienced, and where innovation arises from a deep sensitivity and curiosity toward the living world. We're honored to be part of this moment, and hope it marks the beginning of a new paradigm in how we create, feel, and evolve with the materials around us." – Kazuhide Sekiyama, Spiber Co-founder and Representative Executive Officer The artisan bridal look is more than a moment on the runway—it is a statement of possibility. Both Van Herpen and Spiber believe that collaboration across disciplines is essential to addressing the complex challenges facing fashion and the environment. Their work together serves as an artistic and technological blueprint for future innovation. Looking towards the future, Spiber and Van Herpen hope that this is only the beginning. Their teams will explore new possibilities with a shared ambition to continue pushing the boundaries of material innovation and reimagining what fashion can be. Spiber Inc. Established in 2007, Spiber is a biotech venture company based in Yamagata, Japan. Dedicated to creating innovative solutions that contribute to sustainable well-being, Spiber has developed a new material solution inspired by nature's diversity and circularity: the "Brewed Protein™" material platform. By harnessing the power of precision fermentation, Spiber engineers proteins at the molecular level, resulting in versatile materials that can be tailored to specific needs. This innovative solution opens up new possibilities for sustainable and high-performance materials in various industries, including apparel, food, automotives, and more. Spiber website: Spiber is a trademark or a registered trademark of Spiber Inc. in Japan and other countries. Brewed Protein™ is a trademark or a registered trademark of Spiber Inc. in Japan and other countries. Brewed Protein™ fiber A premium, plant-based material produced using Spiber's fermentation (brewing) technology, providing a circular solution and pioneering a new category of protein fibers. Due to its plant-based ingredients and resource-efficient production process, Brewed Protein™ fiber has the potential to significantly reduce environmental and animal welfare impacts compared to traditional materials. Iris van Herpen Since its establishment in 2007 and its prestigious membership in the Fédération de la Haute Couture in 2010, the Maison of Iris van Herpen has consistently combined innovative techniques with traditional Couture craftsmanship, resulting in sensorial designs that beautifully capture the intricacy and diversity of the natural world. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Spiber Inc. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
