The funding round included contributions from investors such as lululemon, KOMPAS VC, Happiness Capital, Extantia and Leitmotif, taking the Epoch Biodesign’s total capital raised to more than $50m.
Epoch Biodesign plans to use the fresh capital to drive its global commercialisation efforts and strengthen partnerships across sectors including apparel and automotive.
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Currently, the company is currently scaling up production from a pilot facility to a larger demonstration site aimed at validating operations at commercial scale.
The announcement also follows the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding with INVISTA, a major nylon 6,6 producer, as Epoch Biodesign nears completion of its second and largest biorecycling facility.
Epoch Biodesign’s process converts waste garments and other nylon materials into their original chemical building blocks like adipic acid and HMDA, which can then be remanufactured into new polymer and yarn.
The method enables recycling of end-of-life and scrap materials that would otherwise be sent to landfill or incineration.
The company states that even blended textiles, multi-layer laminates and mixed automotive plastics can be processed.
Epoch Biodesign founder and CEO Jacob Nathan said: “We’re delighted to announce the closing of this strategic funding round, which includes investment from both existing investors and exciting new partners. From the apparel industry, we’re proud to receive fresh backing from lululemon, an athletic wear brand known for innovation and quality.
“We also welcome Leitmotif, a deep tech investor with strong ties into the automotive industry, which is a key sector for Epoch. Nylon 6,6 is a key material for both apparel and automotive industries, but a circular solution has yet to be successful at scale. Support from partners such as these highlights Epoch’s momentum and will accelerate our plans to progress from multi-tonne production to multi-kilotonne scale. Very soon, recycled nylon 6,6 will be available to our partners in apparel, automotive and beyond.”
Epoch Biodesign develops enzymatic recycling solutions using AI and synthetic biology to design enzymes for processing plastic and textile waste at commercial volumes.
The company said that its technology enables end-of-life and scrap materials to be “infinitely recycled”.
Epoch Biodesign works with multiple yarn producers to provide drop-in solutions for brands and original equipment manufacturers seeking supply chain sustainability without changing suppliers.
Last year, Australian biotech Samsara Eco formalised a 10-year offtake contract with lululemon to secure the supply of sustainable nylon and polyester. The contract may see Samsara Eco’s materials constituting around 20% of Lululemon’s total fibre portfolio.
