DC
JKM Technologies, LLC DBA as OESH Shoes · Startup
A recyclable biobased elastomer spring sole, injection molded.
LicensingIn-development
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Updated Nov 2, 2026
Sustainable fabric development covers making a textile or footwear material from something renewable. On Halo, the solutions cover footwear materials, fibers from a waste stream, bio-based polymer chemistry, and finishes and filtration. Every solution comes from the team that developed it, so you can reach the people behind the work directly. Sign up to search the full network and post your specific need.
Footwear materials
DC
Stephen Hodge
Versarien · Supplier
Graphene in a thermoplastic elastomer, for damping in a shoe midsole.
Co-developmentIn-development
RN
A biodegradable biopolymer aimed at footwear cushioning.
Co-developmentIn-development
Fibers from a waste stream
FF
Finiks Forge, Inc. · Startup
Turns keratin-rich animal-hair waste into regenerated textile fiber that decomposes at end of life.
In-development
Dan Belosinschi
Fiborizon Technology · Startup
A waste stream taken through to a saleable material.
Sponsored researchIn-development
Jose Luis Diez
Feltwood Ecomateriales, S.L. · Startup
Agricultural vegetal waste into industrial material, with no chemicals used.
Co-developmentIn-development
Bio-based polymer chemistry
Giorgio Tofani
National Institute of Chemistry (Kemijski inštitut) · University
Lignin in a water-stable polyester, cured twice to get there.
In-development
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Declan Colbert
Technological University of Shannon
Seaweed biocomposite fibers that compost, for an inner liner.
Co-developmentIn-development
JJ
Lipid-functionalized natural fibers, hydrophobic and still breathable.
Sponsored researchEarly-stage
Finishes and filtration
UO
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Wet-laid nonwoven filtration media from plant fiber, and biodegradable.
LicensingIn-development
Sumit Mandal
Oklahoma State University
A nano organic silicon finish giving soil repellency.
Early-stage
Recycling and dye recovery
KK
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) · University
A biobased solvent that pulls the dye out during mechanical recycling.
LicensingIn-development
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Who is working on sustainable fabric development
Organizations in sustainable fabric development
Universities, startups, and suppliers with solutions in sustainable fabrics.
Sustainable fabrics companies
Innovators in sustainable fabric development
Researchers and inventors advancing sustainable fabrics.
About sustainable fabric development
Footwear is where the demand sits on Halo. Nine entries make a cushioning or midsole material from a biopolymer, lignin, mycelium or cellulose nanomaterial. Eight more draw a fiber from a waste stream, including orange peel, pineapple leaf and agricultural residue. On Halo it spans five groups, including footwear materials, fibers from a waste stream, and bio-based polymer chemistry.
Stage of development. Work on sustainable fabric development on Halo is split between university programs and companies. 39% of the solutions are in market. Co-development and sponsored research are the usual partnering routes, and about 63% of the solutions that state terms offer pilot engagements.
Three trends in sustainable fabrics on Halo
The demand is a shoe. Nine entries make a footwear material and every one names cushioning, the midsole or thermal comfort. Mycelium, lignin-based polymer printed into a midsole, cellulose nanomaterials for durability, laminated metamaterials, graphene in a thermoplastic elastomer. Athletic footwear buys novel materials at volume and pays for them, which apparel largely does not.
The fiber comes from a food processor. Citrus juicing residue spun into textile cellulose, pineapple leaf offered against wood pulp, agricultural residue fractionated into binders and fiber, plant byproducts foamed. The feedstock is free, already collected at one location, and currently a disposal cost for whoever is holding it.
Dye is the part recycling chokes on. One entry does nothing but pull dye out with a biobased solvent so a garment can be mechanically recycled, and another makes the dye by fermentation so it binds directly and needs less processing. Color is what makes a mixed textile stream unusable, and only two entries address it at all.
600organizations
657solutions listed
58%from startups and companies
39%in market
Frequently asked questions
What is sustainable fabrics?
Sustainable fabric development covers making a textile or a footwear material from something renewable. It spans footwear cushioning and midsoles from biopolymers, fibers drawn from agricultural and food waste, bio-based polymer chemistry including lignin and seaweed, dye recovery during recycling, and finishes that fit the same brief. Apparel and footwear brands, converters and material suppliers are the buyers.
What are examples of sustainable fabrics?
Five examples of sustainable fabrics solutions on Halo include:
- A recyclable biobased elastomer spring sole, injection molded. (JKM Technologies, LLC DBA as OESH Shoes)
- Cellulose recovered from citrus juicing and spun into a textile fiber. (Orange Fiber)
- Lignin in a water-stable polyester, cured twice to get there. (National Institute of Chemistry (Kemijski inštitut))
- Wet-laid nonwoven filtration media from plant fiber, and biodegradable. (University of Tennessee, Knoxville)
- A biobased solvent that pulls the dye out during mechanical recycling. (National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL))
What are the latest sustainable fabrics innovations?
The most recently updated sustainable fabrics solutions on Halo include:
Which companies and suppliers are developing sustainable fabrics?
There are 600 organizations with sustainable fabrics solutions on Halo, 90 of them universities and research institutions. Among them are JKM Technologies, LLC DBA as OESH Shoes, Versarien, and CelluSoy. Most offer co-development or sponsored research. Sign up to see every organization working in the area and to send them your specific need.
How do I find sustainable fabrics research partners?
Browsing sustainable fabrics solutions on Halo is free. Sign up to search the full network and save the ones you want. Post your specific need to get exact matches. Organizations reply directly on the platform.
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