Modern Synthesis

Modern Synthesis

© Modern Synthesis
Textiles

Modern Synthesis Raises $5.5M to Grow High-Performance Biomaterials from Microbes

London-based biotechnology company Modern Synthesis has raised $5.5 million in an oversubscribed funding round led by Extantia Capital, with additional investments from Artesian and Collaborative Fund. The financing will support the company’s efforts to scale production at its pilot facility and meet growing demand from fashion brands seeking sustainable material alternatives. Fashion brands are expected to face a shortage of 133 million tonnes of low-impact raw materials by 2030 due to increasing regulatory pressure to decarbonize. Modern Synthesis aims to address this gap with its biomaterial technology, which uses nanocellulose—a fibre derived from microbial fermentation—to create alternatives to animal leather, synthetic leather, and plastic-coated textiles. The company’s proprietary process leverages the strength of nanocellulose, which is significantly stronger than steel at the nanofiber level, to …

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A shoe made from bacterial, self-dyeing leather

© Ed Tritton - Imperial College London

Materials

UK Researchers Develop First “Self-Dyeing” Plastic-Free Vegan Leather from Bacteria

Imperial College London researchers have developed, using bacteria, a plastic-free, vegan leather that dyes itself black during production. Scientists and material companies have been using microbes to produce sustainable textiles or dyes for the fashion industry; however, the researchers claim this is the first time a material produces its own color pigment. One of fashion’s most environmentally damaging processes is dyeing with synthetic chemicals. The researchers explain that black dyes — especially those used for tanning leather — are particularly harmful.  To solve this environmental problem, the researchers genetically engineered the bacterium Komagataeibacter rhaeticus to simultaneously produce microbial cellulose and the dark pigment eumelanin. Their new process has been published in the journal Nature Biotechnology.  “Inventing a new, faster way to produce sustainable, self-dyed leather alternatives …

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Modern Synthesis and GANNI

© Modern Synthesis
Non-Food

Ex Adidas Designer Unveils Bag Made from Bacteria at London Design Festival

Modern Synthesis, a London-based biotechnology company, has partnered with GANNI, a Danish fashion brand, to reimagine its ‘Bou’ handbag using the company’s bacterial nanocellulose material. Originally crafted from recycled animal leather, the new iteration is part of GANNI’s commitment to eliminate virgin leather from its products by the end of this year, and is being unveiled at the London Design Festival taking place until this Sunday. Founded by ex-Adidas designer Jen Keane and synthetic biologist Dr. Ben Reeve, Modern Synthesis uses a proprietary biotechnology process that transforms sugar derived from agricultural waste into nanocellulose fibers, which the company claims are eight times stronger than steel. The company joins the ranks of other biodegradable textile manufacturers like 3D-printed Simplifyber and banana-based FOReT and Rashki, who are …

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A shoe made with Modern Synthesis biomaterial

© Modern Synthesis
Materials

Modern Synthesis Unveils “One of the Biggest Advances in Textiles Since the Industrial Era”

Biomaterials company Modern Synthesis announces that, during a private event at its London headquarters, the company revealed a breakthrough class of microbial materials made with nanocellulose produced using first-of-a-kind biotechnology platform at its newly opened pilot facility. The company says its revolutionary material has a “unique potential” for creating customizable nonwoven textiles, from films to soft leathers. Furthermore, it is a naturally biodegradable alternative to petrochemical-derived materials to help the fashion industry overcome its sustainability crisis.  Biotech Platform  Founded by ex-Adidas designer Jen Keane and synthetic biologist Dr. Ben Reeve, Modern Synthesis is poised to craft the next generation of biomaterials to meet the fashion industry’s requirements for sustainability and performance. The biotech raised $4.1 million in a seed round last year to build its micro-factory in London. The biotech …

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