Material World is a weekly roundup of innovations and ideas within the materials sector, covering news from emerging biomaterials and alternative leathers to sustainable substitutes and future-proof fibers.
eBay
Refiberd was announced the winner of eBay’s Circular Fashion Innovator of the Year Award through its global Circular Fashion Fund Program, which is designed to help fashion start-ups scale circular solutions.
Ebay has named Refiberd as its Circular Fashion Innovator of the Year. The online marketplace’s venture capital arm, eBay Ventures, awarded the Cupertino, Calif.-based startup with a $300,000 investment to support scaling the SXSW Best Bootstrap Company of 2021 winner’s circular efforts.
“We’re honored to win eBay’s first Circular Fashion Innovator of the Year Award,” Sarika Bajaj, co-founder and CEO of Refiberd, said. The investment from eBay Ventures will help us close a significant round of fundraising for the business, allowing us to expand our technology to new recycling partners, strengthen our AI capabilities, and move faster toward our mission of enabling true textile-to-textile recycling.
More specifically, the funding is aimed to scale the impact of Refiberd’s AI system—which can “discern exactly what different fabrics are made of,” according to eBay, “allowing them to be accurately sorted and recycled.” Refiberd’s technology can drop-in to existing infrastructures to sort materials for processing with the “right method.” In turn, more efficient recycling efforts then find textile waste’s next best stream, ultimately working to tackle the industry’s “waste-sorting dilemma.”
“As the pioneering secondary marketplace, eBay has been driving circularity in fashion since its inception 30 years ago,” said Alexis Hoopes, vice president, global head of fashion, at eBay. “It’s a critical time for the fashion industry, and eBay’s Circular Fashion Fund—and the eBay platform at-large—are propelling the industry forward, enabling innovative ideas to help shape brand and consumer behaviors.”
In partnership with fashion councils—the British Fashion Council (BFC), Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), Fashion Council Germany (FCG) and Australia Fashion Council (AFC)—eBay said its fund has supported 27 businesses since 2022 and, by the end of 2025, will have invested $1.2 million to give recipients “unprecedented access and visibility into the industry to propel their business’s growth.”
“The journey for a startup is tough, so having the mentorship and access to eBay and the CFDA’s networks has already proven invaluable,” said Bajaj. “With this added support we can accelerate our impact and help build a future where circular fashion is the norm—not the exception.”
Country finalists included the United Kingdom’s Sojo, Germany’s Made Out of Trash (MOOT), Australia’s Shopfront and the United States’ Refiberd. Each company received grants starting at $50,000 in their respective currencies, eBay said.
Rheom Materials
Next-gen startup Rheom Materials dropped two custom Western-inspired fits at the Houston Rodeo made with its flagship biobased leather alternative, Shorai. The nanocellulose producer (fka Bucha Bio) then dropped the “change your impact, not your life” short film, “embodying” Rheom’s philosophy that sustainability is not a tradeoff.
“We wanted to capture a typical night at the Houston Rodeo, an event deeply rooted in the city’s history,” said Megan Beck, Rheom’s business development manager, who directed the short. “It provided the perfect backdrop to show that Shorai isn’t just for a niche market, but for everyone across all lifestyles.”
The Houston-headquartered chemical manufacturer set out to prove that its biobased materials can get the job done; the minute-long-film features a skirt, jacket, top and purse made from Shorai, showcasing several silhouettes and structures the material can be sewn or shaped in.
“Using traditional leather machinery and finishing techniques, we created custom designs that not only looked incredible but held up beautifully,” Beck said. “The material’s stretch and flexibility were especially evident, allowing us to create piping to enhance the curves of both the jacket and the skirt.”
Rheom’s flagship offerings include the biobased leather alternative, Shorai, and the sustainable biopolymer resin, Benree. The former is at least 92 percent biobased and extruded as a continuous sheet with 80 percent less emissions than synthetic leather, while the latter is a resin made for injection molding.
MycoWorks
The Kobold Sofa by Erwan Bouroullec for Ligne Roset, incorporating Reishi.
Biomaterials technology company MycoWorks debuted the first go-to-market integration of its flagship mycelium material, Reishi, with interior design company, Ligne Roset.
“At MycoWorks, we believe that art inspires science, and that mycelium can redefine the future of design,” said Sophia Wang, co-founder of MycoWorks. “The integration of Reishi into the Ligne Roset collection is a powerful demonstration that sustainable luxury is not a concept of tomorrow—it is a reality today.”
During the Onirium event at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris last week, Ligne Roset unveiled the Kobold sofa, designed by Erwan Bouroullec. This marked the first large-scale integration of Reishi in luxury furniture, per MycoWorks.
“We have been waiting for years for a natural and sustainable material that meets our quality standards and our customers’ expectations,” said Antoine Roset, managing director of Ligne Roset. “Our partnership with MycoWorks strengthens our commitment to ethical and sustainable development, while upholding the highest level of quality for which the Roset Group is known. By embracing innovation, it also offers us the opportunity to redefine the legacy of ‘Made-in-France’ design.”
MycoWorks said Bouroullec’s versatile, “modular seating solution” can “seamlessly integrate various functional elements around a central sofa unit.” This is in alignment with the decision to incorporate Reishi, per the partners, resulting in a “piece of design that embodies eco-conscious innovation without compromising on aesthetics, comfort or longevity.”
Ponda x Berghaus
Ponda teamed with Berghaus on a concept jacket.
Biomaterials company Ponda teamed with UK outdoor-wear brand Berghaus on a concept jacket showcasing how regeneratively sourced materials can power performance outerwear.
“The Concept Piece is insulated with BioPuff, our biobased insulation technology sourced from wetlands, one of the world’s most powerful ecosystems,” Ponda said in a statement. “By working with nature rather than against it, this jacket is a step towards a new model for materials—one that actively contributes to restoring the landscape.”
The garment was made at social enterprise Fashion-Enter Ltd (FEL) in London. More specifically, the BioPuff insulation in this piece was sourced and processed entirely in Europe.
“This is not about small changes,” Berghaus said. “It is about reshaping the way textiles are made. A model that works with nature, not against it.”
Engineered with a “female-first approach,” according to Berghaus, the piece is tailored for the “female form” and with “optimal functionality,” such as a single shoulder seam for enhanced mobility as well as strategically designed insulation placement.
“For regenerative materials to become industry standard, collaboration is essential. The future of biomaterials depends on industry-wide support, investment and integration,” Ponda said. “Working with Berghaus, this project is a step toward showing how fashion can move beyond extractive materials and adopt solutions that restore ecosystems rather than deplete them.”
Carbitex
Carbitex teamed with Blumaka on a dynamically flexible carbon-plated insole.
Carbitex, a Kennewick, Wash.-based maker of flexible carbon fiber composites, teamed with performance insole brand Blumaka on a dynamically flexible carbon-plated insole cushioning the blow of turf toe.
“Turf toe is an extremely frustrating and common injury. And because it’s the big toe, it doesn’t seem like something that should sideline an athlete, but it does, and can be recurring,” said Junus Khan, founder and CEO of Carbitex. “The unique Carbitex GearFlex material integrated in the insole, flexes for a natural movement and agility, then stiffens to protect the big toe and generate more power. Paired with Blumaka’s NonSlip Technology, it’s the first dynamic turf toe intervention.”
The carbon fiber supplier said Carbitex GearFlex adapts “dynamically” and remains flexible for natural movement at low angles before “stiffening” as it bends to prevent over-rotation of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint—the root cause of turf toe. Blumaka’s Konnect GRF Technology, meanwhile, ensures energy transfer to eliminate “power loss” from internal foot movement. The combination, the partners said, “enhances biomechanics” and increases ground reaction force for greater propulsion while protecting the “vulnerable” joint.
“Between Carbitex’s ability to isolate a moment while the athlete is in motion, to gain rigidity at a targeted point in the MTP joint, and our NonSlip insole that eliminates power loss and maximizes ground reaction force, we believe this tool will have a significant impact for athletes at all levels,” said Stuart Jenkins, founder and CEO of Blumaka. “When players load up to eight times their body weight on that toe joint—that’s over 1,800 pounds for many NFL players—our technology adds protection without sacrificing performance.”
Hyosung
Hyosung is bringing denim textile solutions to Kingpins Amsterdam.
“Brands take various paths toward sustainability, utilizing recycled and bio-based materials or designing recyclable products,” said Simon Hong, Hyosung’s global denim marketing director. “Providing customized solutions that meet their specific requirements is essential.”
The sustainable textile solutions provider will present its expanded Regen Bio Spandex offering—including Regen Bio+ and Regen Bio Max Spandex—as both are made with more renewable resource content. Also on display is Hyosung’s RCS-certified, 100 percent recycled Regen Spandex made from industrial waste; the recyclable Creora 3D Max Spandex as well as Creora Slip Free Spandex with improved seam slippage.
Bedsure
Breescape: Keep Cool and Dream On
Online bedding brand Bedsure launched Breescape: explicitly engineered for hot sleepers with its proprietary BlendTek technology in the flagship Breescape Reversible Cooling Comforter.
Formerly known as the Bedsure Breescape Cooling Series, the specialized brand went through 23 prototypes and spent a year developing the “science of cool” behind BlendTek. The patented fiber blend is “crafted with the optimal ratio for proven, long-lasting coolness” as an innovative technology fusing advanced fibers in both fabrics and filling to eliminate heat and humidity, the company said.
The tech debuting in the flagship cooling comforter, which internal testing allegedly found to be 3.1-times cooler than bamboo rayon, 4.5-times more breathable than cotton and 1.5-times more moisture-absorbent than cotton. High thermal conductivity fibers draw heat away from the body as high-porosity fibers enhance airflow and release heat and moisture. A polygonal fiber structure maximizes surface area to “wick away” sweat as well.
Furthermore, one side of the Oeko-Tex certified comforter provides a “cool-to-the-touch” sensation; the other, the natural-fiber side, adds to the breathability. The filling is now made up of Naia fibers, replacing the previously-used fill to provide better moisture control, softness and hypoallergenic benefits.
Sheep Inc.
Sheep Inc. brand has completed its roughly $6.3 million (5 million pound) Series A funding round.
Edzard van der Wyck and Michael Wessely’s Sheep Inc. brand has completed its roughly $6.3 million (5 million pound) Series A funding round. The investment was led by the newly-established impact investment holding group, Inside Out, created by environmental advocate and entrepreneur, Suzy Amis Cameron.
Known for its carbon-negative supply chain and Merino wool garments, Sheep Inc.’s proprietary “Connected Dot” transparency technology allows customers to trace each garment’s journey—from regenerative farm to final stitch—throughout the supply chain. Sheep’s knitwear is sourced exclusively from regenerative farms as well.
“We are incredibly excited to partner with Inside Out, [which] shares our vision for redefining the fashion industry—environmentally, socially and technologically,” said Edzard van der Wyck and Michael Wessely, co-founders of Sheep Inc. “This partnership not only fuels our growth but accelerates our ability to set new industry standards. We are inspired by the vision Inside Out is creating and look forward to what we will build together.”
As a “flagship investment” within Inside Out’s fashion, textiles and home vertical, Sheep now has the potential to scale its regenerative supply chain expertise and Connected Dot technology across the holding group’s larger portfolio.
“Sheep Inc. stands at the forefront of responsible fashion. With its pioneering carbon-negative production, regenerative Merino wool and innovative Connected Dot technology, Sheep Inc. is setting a new benchmark for transparency and quality,” said Inside Out’s founder and CEO, Suzy Amis Cameron. “We are thrilled to support their expansion, knowing their unwavering commitment to ethical business practices and craftsmanship aligns perfectly with our mission to drive meaningful change across industries.”
