Rubi raises $4.5m for novel ‘carbon-negative’ material
US-based Rubi Laboratories has raised $4.5 million in seed funding to develop and scale its carbon negative cellulosic textiles process.
As well as private equity and venture capital investment, several apparel leaders joined as angels, including James Reinhart, CEO and founder of thredUP, and Nicolaj Reffstrup, founder of GANNI.
The round also includes a $250,000 grant from the National Science Foundation.
Founded in 2020 by Neeka and Leila Mashouf, Rubi Laboratories uses a cell-free biocatalytic process, starting with viscose. It captures CO2 from the waste streams of manufacturing facilities, using an enzyme system that can capture and convert CO2 from a gas input. The CO2 is then converted into cellulose, which can then be used to create viscose-based yarn.
By using enzymes as the catalyst, Rubi turns 100% of CO2 inputted to the end product with zero waste.
Rubi claims it could provide a carbon negative, zero-water and zero-land alternative to the viscose industry, which typically relies on pulp derived from wood.
Neeka Mashouf, CEO of Rubi Laboratories, said: "With increased consumer and government pressure to solve fashion’s reliance on carbon-heavy textiles, innovation in textiles can have a dramatic impact on reducing fashion’s carbon emissions.
“In turn, we’re seeing brands demonstrating a willingness to pay a premium for these materials - as long as there’s a tangible line of sight to reach price parity with traditional materials eventually - both because they know it will drive costs down in the longer term, but also because it supports them in terms of achieving their sustainability goals.”
Rubi's first textile samples are expected to be available in March 2022. Longer-term plans include applying the same technology to industries such as food, packaging and building materials.
Read WSA's long read on this topic, From carbon neutral to carbon negative, in the features section
