Really Clever biomaterials

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Materials

$475M Invested in Next-Gen Materials in 2022, Leather Alternatives Dominating Sector

The Material Innovation Initiative has published its third State of the Industry Report for the next-gen materials sector. The report notes that $3 billion has been invested into next-gen materials since 2013, with $457 million raised in 2022 alone. This figure was lower than the “unprecedented” spike to $1.135 billion in 2021, with the fall blamed on a challenging funding environment caused by the global economic downturn. However, more funding was raised in 2022 than in any year prior to 2021. Leather alternatives still dominate the sector, with 64 companies working in this area compared to 15 for silk, ten for wool, and nine for fur. Seven companies are working on alternatives to down, and one on exotic skins. Currently, 52% of the materials used …

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MII materials collage

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Fairs & Events

MII’s Material Innovation Conference to Bring Together Leaders in Next Gen Materials

The Material Innovation Initiative (MII) announces a next-gen materials conference featuring industry experts including Forager, MycoWorks, VitroLabs, Modern Meadow, Veshin, NFW, and Everlane, who will gather online to discuss the future of materials. The event guide can be downloaded here. This two-day event will bring together innovators, brands, scientists, investors, academia, retailers, incubators, suppliers, mills, and nonprofits, to discuss opportunities and challenges in the development, manufacturing, commercialization, business and supply chain integration, and communication of next-gen materials. Speakers at the event will share their insights into how next-gen materials can out-compete animal-based materials and provide solutions that are functional, fashionable, and cost-effective. “By bringing together thought leaders with the research insights, the market expertise, and the vision to see past the status quo, MII is …

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Plantbased Business Hour

Can We Get Animals Out of the Food and Materials Supply Chain?

What’s next for plant-based foods and materials? Macy Marriott of the GlassWall Syndicate and Stephanie Downs of Material Innovation Initiative are on the Plantbased Business Hour with Elysabeth Alfano discussing 1) the innovations in the pipeline to take animals out of the food and materials supply chain, 2) predictions for the short term and 3) challenges facing the industries.  Audio podcast here. Display content from YouTube Click here to display content from YouTube. Learn more in YouTube’s privacy policy. Always display content from YouTube Open “A Major Investor and Founder Make Predictions for the Plantbased Future” directly Now you can be a part of the conversation. The Plantbased Business Hour airs LIVE on LinkedIn every Tuesday and Thursday at 1p PT on Elysabeth Alfano’s LinkedIn Page: here. Tune in to …

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