Major cash injection for Activated Silk maker
30/06/2022
Existing investors such as Chanel, Mousse Partners, Jeffrey Vinik, Kraft Group, Roy Disney and Emerald Development Managers also participated in the fundraising.
Evolved by Nature’s flagship innovation is Activated Silk, a library of molecules bioharvested from natural silk fibre that the company says can be used to support a range of applications across the textiles, leather, personal care and medical fields. According to its developer, the platform is a viable alternative to synthetic chemicals, pigments and fossil-fuel derivatives such as polyester and other plastics.
When applied to nylon, Evolved by Nature claims, tests have found Activated Silk to increase the fibre’s moisture absorbency by a maximum of 50%, its vertical wicking by as much as seven times and its dry rate by up to 40% in comparison to conventional synthetic alternatives. The odour absorption of this Activated Silk-coated nylon can be improved by as much as 76%, the firm’s website copy goes on to say.
Evolved by Nature is also currently developing CircleMade, an “all-natural” and yet “high-performance” yarn made by combining regenerated fibres and Activated Silk. The company describes this technology as designed with improved dye absorption, durability and “planet-friendly” recyclability in mind.
In response to this latest round of financing, the biotechnology firm’s president, co-founder and chief operating officer, Dr Rebecca Lacouture, commented that the extra funds would enable Evolved by Nature to make its proprietary molecules library available to new development partners. “Together, we can enhance the performance potential of essentially any surface,” she said.
The funding will further allow the company’s newly opened Walpole, Massachusetts, factory to operate at full capacity. This is expected to result in the production of 900 tons of Activated Silk per year in 2024, it added, representing a significant increase over the facility’s current annual capacity of 150 tons as of May 2022.
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