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Material World: Membrane Maker Closes Funding Round, Freitag Bolsters Reflected Bags Line
Alexandra Harrell
7 min read
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.
Nibertex
The Nibertex manufacturing facility in the Philippines, where PFAS-free electrospun polyurethane membranes are produced.
Deep-tech waterproof breathable membranes startup Nibertex just closed its pre-Series A funding round with participation from Foxmont Capital Partners and ADB Ventures, the impact investment arm of the Asian Development Bank, as well as other “prominent family offices” in the region.
“This pre-Series A funding is a testament to the trust our investors place in our technology and the potential of our market,” said Jaemin Park, co-founder of Nibertex. “The demand for sustainable, high-performance materials has never been higher, and this investment allows us to accelerate production and meet the growing needs of our clients across multiple industries.”
Nibertex—a developer of PFAS-free electrospun polyurethane (ePU) membranes—said its membranes offer waterproofing and breathability performance to textiles. With two manufacturing plants in the Philippines, Nibertex said it can meet demand as aligned with looming regulatory restrictions.
ADB Ventures’ support “underscores the importance of finding sustainable alternatives to widely used industrial materials,” the company said.
“Nibertex’s technology supports the global shift towards the use of safer and more sustainable materials,” said ADB Ventures’ Charles Cole Navarro. “By eliminating PFAS and delivering high-performance waterproof breathable membranes, Nibertex is addressing a critical global challenge. We look forward to supporting its growth as it expands beyond textiles into new industries.”
While the nanofiber firm could not comment on the monetary amount raised, it will be used to ramp up production capacity, expand R&D efforts and scale production lines. Nibertex has reportedly seen a surge in orders from global textile brands as well as success in high-value sectors such as firefighter fabrics and other professional applications.
“We are very happy to have worked closely with ADB Ventures on this round, which highlights proof of Nibertex’s impact,” said Jelmer Ikink, founding partner at Foxmont Capital Partners. “The growth and potential Nibertex has shown over the last quarters have exceeded our expectations, and we are proud to have made a follow-on commitment to fuel Nibertex’s growth.”
Freitag
The Reflected Bags collection by Freitag.
Zurich-based bag manufacturer Freitag has expanded its Reflected Bag collection with four new styles, made from discarded PET bottles, used tarps, decommissioned seatbelts and upcycled truck reflectors.
“The materials for our Reflected Bags combine recycling, upcycling and B-stock goods. Each of the four primary components—rPET material, truck reflectors and tarp and car seat belts—has particular characteristics and advantages of its own,” Freitag said in a statement, noting that the water-repellent fabric is made from recycled PET bottles. “That way, each component plays its part in generating a little more constructive order, reflective safety, and forward-looking reliability for forays out into the city.”
The spacious, adjustable-volume F691 Gleason targets active amateur cyclists or anyone else carrying heavy loads. The messenger backpack holds up to 32 liters (nearly 8.5 gallons) and can also hold a laptop, yoga mat, water bottle and bike lock. The F685 Henry is similar but smaller—intended for short-term transport and shopping hauls.
The compact F607 Marks and the medium-sized F608 Knott can be used as toiletry bags. The upcycled truck reflector is on the inside of these bags, functioning as a handle for the metal mirror supplied. The F607 Marks features a truck tarp pocket, metal mirror and hanging loop. The F608 Knott is a mid-size pouch with truck tarp accents and zippered compartments.
“The Reflected Bags were designed to be as durable and forward-thinking as you’d expect of bikeable bags from Freitag. What’s more, they’re modular, so if something unfortunate does happen, they’re incredibly easy to repair,” Freitag said of its forward-looking design. “The modularity concept is also a vital step toward greater circularity at Freitag. Because the aim is that one day, recyclable components should be easy to remove, facilitating their return to their respective cycles at the end of their lives.”
Osprey
Osprey Packs Arcane Earth
Osprey unveiled its most sustainable collection to date, the Helen of Troy brand said, with the introduction of a proprietary ReComp fabric, a new U.S.-based partnership with Looptworks and a growing line of Bluesign-certified products.
ReComp repurposes Osprey’s manufacturing scraps into a 70 percent post-consumer and 30 percent pre-consumer recycled polyester fabric, featured in the Arcane Earth series. In addition to ReComp, Arcane Earth’s design technology uses 85 percent recycled EVA foam, 100 percent recycled labels and zipper pulls as well as a minimal dyeing process.
Osprey’s U.S.-based partnership with B Corp Looptworks will ensure any products that can’t be donated or repaired will be downcycled in an attempt to reduce textile waste and landfill impact. Looptworks will collect, sort, deconstruct and rework Osprey’s donated textiles into a non-woven fiber used to make products such as insulation, carpet padding, concrete binding and acoustic tiles.
“Each season, Osprey continues to push boundaries with bold design and sustainable innovation, with the goal of being a more conscientious and progressive outdoor brand,” Mark Galbraith, vice president of product at Osprey, said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with a like-minded company, such as Looptworks, that shares our passion and dedication to reducing waste and making a positive change in our environment.”
Since becoming a Bluesign system partner in 2021 and introducing the certified Bluesign product label in 2024, Osprey said it continues to promote and adopt safe chemistry and responsible practices throughout its supply chain. In fall 2025, 83 percent of the company’s entire product line will carry the Bluesign product designation—a 13 percent increase year over year.
Figs
“Formx is made for all healthcare professionals—especially those in non-surgical specialties like dermatology, dentistry, optometry, gynecology, among others,” Figs said. “With concierge medicine on the rise and personalized care redefining the industry, Formx is the answer to the next wave of healthcare.”
Figs has launched Formx: the direct-to-consumer healthcare apparel brand’s most technically advanced offering yet.
The California-based medical scrubs maker’s latest offering features a four-way stretch with 70 percent more stretch, what Figs claims is five times the elasticity of standard scrubs. Other key features include technical advances—including moisture-wicking and antimicrobial properties—and versatility.
“We’ve changed the game on scrubs over the last 12 years. Now we’re doing it again,” said Trina Spear, co-founder and chief executive officer. “Awesome humans give it their all—every shift, every day. They deserve scrubs that move like they move, work like they work, and keep up with their pace. Formx is next-level stretch, comfort and style—because when you feel good, you bring your best. And for our community, that changes everything.”
RefrigiWear
Goldfreeze and Tessuto join FlexiTog as part of the RefrigiWear family of cold protection workwear brands.
RefrigiWear, a manufacturer of insulated industrial workwear, accessories and personal protective equipment, announced the acquisition of two European workwear companies, Tessuto and Goldfreeze.
The former is a Netherlands-based supplier of insulated apparel with a reputation for high-quality, customized freezer and cold store clothing. The latter is a UK-based supplier of protective apparel for cold and heat. They join FlexiTog, a UK-based firm RefrigiWear acquired last January, as part of the RW Workwear group in Europe—making RefrigiWear “the largest global company focused on insulated PPE for the extreme temperatures of the cold chain,” the company said.
“Supporting our customers wherever they are is an important goal for our company,” said Ryan Silberman, CEO of RefrigiWear. “The addition of Tessuto and Goldfreeze, who have superb reputations for quality and cold protection, helps us deliver on our promise to customers around the world.”
“For our customers, we are growing the selection of products, as well as an expanding our service capabilities,” said Rolf Lyon, managing director of FlexiTog. “Our current and future customers are going to be the biggest beneficiaries of bringing these brands into the RW Workwear group,” Tarek Hayat, managing director of Goldfreeze, added.
OrthoLite
OrthoLite Float Insole
OrthoLite, a supplier of open-cell foam technology, has expanded its range of insoles, with the new OrthoLite Float introducing a lightweight, high-rebound formulation.
The Float combines lightness with high-rebound support, adding comfort and high energy underfoot across all categories of footwear. With a resilience of more than 38 percent, OrthoLite said the Float offers “immediate step-in comfort and a cushioned, floating ride.” The fully breathable comfort technology delivers moisture management and long-lasting performance as well.
The Float formulation offers a cooler, drier environment inside all footwear categories. It can be formulated with OrthoLite Hybrid technology to increase the amount of recycled content used in the insole.
