Summary
- Profile Type
- Technology request
- POD Reference
- TRDE20250220003
- Term of Validity
- 20 February 2025 - 20 February 2026
- Company's Country
- Germany
- Type of partnership
- Commercial agreement with technical assistance
- Research and development cooperation agreement
- Targeted Countries
- All countries
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General information
- Short Summary
- The German startup is developing an innovative, sustainable substitute for leather made from renewable resources with algae as the main ingredient. The material can be used in industries like fashion, accessories, and interior design. They are looking to increase the material’s resistance to wet abrasion, e.g. through sustainable additives or sustainable coating. Cooperation under a commercial agreement with technical assistance or research cooperation agreement is envisaged.
- Full Description
-
The innovative German startup was founded in 2021 after six years of R&D. The spin-off of the Technical University of Darmstadt has grown to 15 employees with a broad range of expertise in science, engineering and business.
The company develops, produces and distributes sustainable surface textiles. The development focus is to create materials that are petroleum-free, vegan and bio-based with good recycling and degradation properties at the end of the life cycle and resource-efficient production processes.
The company has developed a sustainable leather alternative made from red algae. It is a soft and supple leather-like material that is highly sought by companies in the footwear and accessories industries. For applications with high performance requirements, the company is looking for technical solutions to increase the material’s resistance to wet abrasion. Two possible approaches to increase the resistance are (1) additives in the material itself or (2) a coating on the material’s surface.
However. potential partners are welcome to suggest other approaches as well.
The company is looking for partners that can supply or develop suitable additives/coatings and/or know-how (e.g. in the form of a consulting service). Cooperation under a commercial agreement with technical assistance or research cooperation agreement is envisaged. - Advantages and Innovations
- The company’s products represent a major leap in textile innovation as they are the first 100% plant-based, plastic-free leather alternatives. The developed materials are not only environmentally friendly, but also versatile in their application, covering industries ranging from footwear and fashion to furniture and automotive. Their unique properties ensure full bio-degradabilty withing months, setting a new standard in sustainable and circular material design.
- Technical Specification or Expertise Sought
- All solutions have to comply with the sustainability requirements laid out above: petroleum-free, vegan, bio-based, good recycling / degradation properties, resource-efficiency.
- Stage of Development
- Lab tested
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Goal 13: Climate Action
- Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- IPR status
- Secret know-how
Partner Sought
- Expected Role of a Partner
-
The company is looking for partners that can supply or develop suitable additives/coatings and/or know-how (e.g. in the form of a consulting service) to increase the material’s resistance to wet abrasion.
The potential partner is expected to sign an NDA as a first process step in order to enable exchange of information in more detail. Next, the company expects potential partners to advise on their proposed methods of improving the materials wet abrasion resistance. In an exchange of information (that does not infringe on either party’s IP rights, of course), likely suitable materials are to be identified. Potential suppliers are then expected to supply the company with small samples of suitable additives/coatings for lab testing and to advise again on the results and potential further steps. - Type and Size of Partner
- SME 50 - 249
- University
- Big company
- SME 11-49
- SME <=10
- R&D Institution
- Other
- Type of partnership
- Commercial agreement with technical assistance
- Research and development cooperation agreement
Dissemination
- Technology keywords
- 06006001 - Biobased Materials
- 02007020 - Biobased materials
- Market keywords
- 07004001 - Clothing, shoes and accessories (including jewellery)
- 07006 - Other Consumer Related (not elsewhere classified)
- Targeted countries
- All countries