Material Innovation Initiative

After five transformative years, it's with mixed emotions that we announce the wind-down of the Material Innovation Initiative (MII). As we close this chapter, we celebrate our incredible journey and the exponential growth of the next-gen materials industry. Key achievements: - Catalyzed over $2.31 billion in investments for next-gen materials - Published groundbreaking research, including our U.S. Consumer Research showing 92% consumer interest in next-gen products - Facilitated nearly 400 collaborations between brands and next-gen material companies in 2023 alone - Grew the next-gen materials sector from 102 companies in 2022 to 141 in 2023 While MII's journey ends here, our mission to accelerate the development of sustainable, high-performance materials continues through the incredible momentum we've built together. To our stakeholders, partners, and supporters: thank you for believing in our vision and working alongside us to create a better world for humans, animals, and the planet. The future of materials is bright, and we're proud to have played a part in shaping it. Let's keep innovating for a more sustainable tomorrow! Read the full statement on our website: https://lnkd.in/eJxPKj4s #NextGenMaterials #Sustainability #Innovation #MaterialScience

GOZEN, a biomaterials startup, has launched the Balenciaga LUNAFORM™ Maxi Bathrobe Coat globally, following its debut at the Balenciaga Summer '24 show in Paris. LUNAFORM™ is a 100% biobased and USDA-certified material, and underscores the emergence of sustainable luxury while setting a new standard for eco-friendly fashion. LUNAFORM™ is a pioneering biopolymer, recognized with PETA's "Most Innovative Partnership" and "Best Luxury Product" awards for the Balenciaga coat at the 2023 PETA Fashion Awards. It boasts greater tensile strength than traditional leather, with a lightweight feel, premium texture, and natural drape. Produced in large sheets 13-square-foot sheets, it can be customized for various design needs. GOZEN envisions the use of LUNAFORM™ across fashion, automotive, and furniture industries, promoting eco-friendly alternatives to harmful materials. This versatile material supports a broader shift towards sustainable manufacturing, setting new standards for conscious design. “Through our innovations, we reintroduce nature into industries that have long been detached, guiding them towards a more harmonious relationship with our planet. The retail debut of Balenciaga LUNAFORM™ Maxi Bathrobe Coat exemplifies how natural creation can transcend design boundaries in fashion," said Ece Gozen, founder and CEO of GOZEN. https://lnkd.in/e53xqtdk #MaterialInnovation #Nextgenmaterials #PlantBased #Sustainability #Innovation #Fashion #FashionWeek #Collaboration #Partnership #Luxury

For next-gen fur to be successful, it needs to improve upon the existing material. While all next-gen furs should (by definition) have a lower environmental impact without the animal-cruelty, these factors alone are not sufficient for success. Next-gen furs must also improve on the performance attributes of fur and be cost-competitive. Discover more in our blog here: https://lnkd.in/eNFYTAR3 #Materialinnovation #Nextgenmaterials #Innovation #Sustainability #Fashion #Textiles #Fur

Congrats to Fruitleather Rotterdam for launching their own product line of eco-friendly mango-based card holders! 🥭💚 Recognizing the demand for ready-to-use sustainable products, Fruitleather transformed their high-quality, biodegradable plant-based materials into practical accessories. These cardholders, available in Black, Cognac, Natural, and Bordeaux, blend elegance with environmental responsibility. Crafted from high-quality, biodegradable plant-based materials, they offer a perfect way for individuals to showcase their commitment to sustainability. The cardholders are designed for easy use, making eco-friendly choices accessible to all. This launch marks Fruitleather Rotterdam's expansion from material supplier to consumer product creator, closing the gap between sustainable innovation and consumer accessibility. #MaterialInnovation #Nextgenmaterials #Sustainability #Innovation #Leather

"It's really a new approach to fur, but we want it to be in the future of the next fashion shows," Arnaud Brunois- Gavard, Marketing and Sustainability Manager at ECOPEL | Faux Fur Artisan. Discover more in our recent webinar, 'The Critical Timing of Next-Gen Fur' here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eegwtdhQ #Materialinnovation #Nextgenmaterials #Sustainability #Innovation #Fur #Collaboration

A team led by scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory identified and successfully demonstrated a new method to process a plant-based material called nanocellulose that reduced energy needs by a whopping 21%. The approach was discovered using molecular simulations run on the lab’s supercomputers, followed by pilot testing and analysis. The method, leveraging a solvent of sodium hydroxide and urea in water, can significantly lower the production cost of nanocellulosic fiber — a strong, lightweight biomaterial ideal as a composite for 3D-printing structures such as sustainable housing and vehicle assemblies. The findings support the development of a circular bioeconomy in which renewable, biodegradable materials replace petroleum-based resources, decarbonizing the economy and reducing waste. https://lnkd.in/eGX2Ndqv #Materialinnovation #Nextgenmaterials #Sustainability #PlantBased #Innovation 

Here are 10 of the next-gen material companies exhibiting at the Lineapelle International Leather Fair, Winter 25/26, 17 – 19 September 2024 FIERAMILANO RHO. 🙌💚 https://lnkd.in/enh-fXY #MaterialInnovation #Nextgenmaterials #Sustainability #Fashion #Innovators 

Andy Bass, Chief Marketing Officer at Ecovative - the mycelium technology company, shares that the process for manufacturing mycelium-based textiles can become a fully circular loop.🌿 Watch the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/eTBSkY64 #Materialinnovation #Nextgenmaterials #Innovation #CircularEconomy

🍊🌵 Ohoskin, startup innovating bio-based next-gen material alternatives to luxury leather from vegetable waste, announced the successful closing of a €300,000 pre-seed funding round. This investment was made by the Motor Valley Accelerator and supported by CDP Venture Capital SGR, through resources dedicated to promoting female entrepreneurship provided by the Ministry of Made in Italy. Ohoskin is determined to redefine the world of luxury materials in the automotive, fashion, marine, and furniture sectors. Recently, they announced a second generation of sneakers in collaboration with MoEa, made with Ohoskin's material, created from orange and cactus waste. "Our team is incredibly grateful for the trust and support from CDP Venture Capital SGR," said Adriana Santanocito and Stefano Mazzetti, CEO and COO of Ohoskin. "With this capital, Ohoskin will be able to expand its product offerings, grow the team, and prepare for the launch of our first official seed round in September. The success and milestones achieved by the startup over these past three years are just the beginning of what we can accomplish." #MaterialInnovation #Nextgenmaterials #Sustainability #Innovation #Leather #Funding #Fashion

This year, AMADEU - Amazonia . Materials . Design United' CEO FLAVIA AMADEU celebrates 20 years! This marks the beginning of a new chapter for AMADEU Materials. 🙌 🥳 Here are some of their achievements this year: 𝗟𝗮𝗩𝗲𝗴™ - 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁-𝗴𝗲𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 - After a year of production adjustments and further developments, LaVeg™ has doubled the size! It is now 1.4m - 1.5m width in 25m linear rolls. - DJ Alok wore a LaVeg™ suit designed by Força Studio during Tomorrowland in São Paulo 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 - LaVeg™ featured prominently at São Paulo Fashion Week (SPFW) in Brazil - Força Studio showcased LaVeg™ in a futuristic fashion show LaVeg™ will be exhibited at "Brazil Creating Fashion For Tomorrow," which you can visit for free from the 13th to 17th September 2024, at the Brazilian Embassy in London. This exhibition promotes female leadership in the fashion industry, with a special emphasis on environmentally sustainable innovative products and services. #MaterialInnovation #Nextgenmaterials #Sustainability #Fashion #Innovation #FashionWeek