.png)
As sustainable fashion continues to gain momentum, a number of startups in the Asia-Pacific region are transforming the textile industry through innovative materials and environmentally friendly processes. From rethinking traditional fabrics to creating entirely new ones, these companies are leading the charge in reducing the environmental footprint of textiles.
Below, we explore five APAC startups revolutionizing the field of sustainable textiles, setting a new standard for eco-friendly fashion.
Year founded: 2007
Total funding raised: $490M
Latest funding round: Series E
Country: Japan
Spiber is redefining the future of textiles with its Brewed Protein™ technology. Imagine a fabric made not from silkworms or animals but from plant-based materials like sugarcane or agricultural waste. Through a process called microbial fermentation, Spiber transforms these raw materials into protein polymers that mimic the luxurious feel of silk, wool, and even cashmere—without the environmental drawbacks of traditional methods.
What sets Brewed Protein™ apart is its versatility. Spiber can tweak its fibers to have different properties, like enhanced elasticity or durability, which opens up possibilities beyond fashion—think car interiors and high-performance gear. In fact, they've already teamed up with big names like The North Face, Pangaia, and even Toyota to use their eco-friendly fibers in products ranging from jackets to car seats. And this year, they made a splash by collaborating with Ueyama Textile to launch a denim line featuring 35% Brewed Protein™
Spiber’s momentum is only growing, especially after recently raising $65 million to expand its production capabilities, including a new plant in Iowa, U.S. Plus, their Biosphere Circulation Project is pushing them into the circular economy space, turning textile waste into fresh fibers.
Year founded: 2018
Total funding raised: $8M
Latest funding round: Series B
Country: Australia
Picture a world where old clothes and textile waste don’t end up in landfills but instead are transformed into brand-new materials. That’s what BlockTexx is doing with their innovative S.O.F.T. (Separation of Fibre Technology). This cool process takes hard-to-recycle fabrics like polyester-cotton blends and breaks them down into two valuable resources: PolyTexx (polyester flakes) and CellTexx (cellulose powder). These aren’t just scraps — they’re high-quality raw materials ready to be woven back into the manufacturing process, whether it’s for fashion, home goods, or even agriculture.
BlockTexx is making waves with this approach, and they’re only getting bigger. In early 2024, the company secured $7 million in Series B funding, supported by investors like Fashion for Good. This cash injection is set to fuel the expansion of their Queensland facility, increasing its capacity from 4,000 tonnes to a whopping 10,000 tonnes annually. That’s a massive leap forward in the fight against textile waste.
What makes BlockTexx even more exciting is that it’s not just about recycling — it’s about creating a closed-loop system. They collect, process, and remake textiles all under one roof, ensuring nothing goes to waste. With their scalable model, BlockTexx is showing the world that sustainable solutions to fashion’s waste problem are not only possible — they can make you money!
Year founded: 2020
Total funding raised: $0.5M
Latest funding round: Seed
Country: India
CanvaLoop is using a genius approach to transforming agricultural waste into eco-friendly fibers. This India-based startup is tackling the environmental problems caused by traditional textile materials like cotton and polyester by using agri-waste like hemp and banana stems. The result? Sustainable fibers that use way less water, energy, and release fewer emissions than conventional textile production.
Their recent appearance on Shark Tank India Season 3 was a hit. Impressing all five sharks, CanvaLoop secured a deal for 4% equity. Co-founders Shreyans Kokra and Nandini Sarraf Kokra revealed that they’re already converting 200 tons of agricultural waste into 40 tons of fiber each month, and they’ve got big plans to scale up — aiming to process 1 lakh tons annually within the next five years. The demand is there too, with significant purchase orders lined up for the next financial year.
The company offers a range of fiber solutions like Hemploop and Banloop, perfect for fashion brands and textile manufacturers looking to embrace sustainability. Thanks to their Shark Tank success, CanvaLoop has gained even more visibility, capturing the interest of eco-conscious consumers and businesses alike.
Year founded: 2012
Total funding raised: $2M
Latest funding round: Undisclosed
Country: South Korea
ATKO Planning is turning leather scraps into something luxurious and environmentally-friendly. They’ve developed an innovative way to recycle leather waste from tanneries, transforming it into high-quality materials like leather yarn, textiles, and suede, without using a drop of water or harmful chemicals. This "dry processing" method dramatically cuts down on the environmental footprint of leather production while maintaining the rich texture and durability we love about the material.
It’s no wonder that big names like BMW, Nike, and Adidas have taken notice. These global brands are increasingly focused on sustainability, and ATKO’s recycled leather fits perfectly into their eco-conscious product lines. Whether it’s fashion, furniture, or even automotive interiors, ATKO’s leather can be reused and recycled over and over, making it a truly circular and sustainable solution.
Unlike traditional leather production that contributes to waste and pollution, ATKO’s innovative dry processing method allows the leather to be repurposed multiple times without degradation in quality. Their process also supports broader environmental goals by reducing carbon emissions and eliminating harmful chemicals often used in leather processing. ATKO’s materials are proving that luxury and sustainability can coexist, helping industries reduce their ecological footprint while delivering the high-performance materials they need.
Year founded: 2022
Total funding raised: Undisclosed
Latest funding round: Undisclosed
Country: China
BloomGEM is shaking up the textile and dyeing world by creating eco-friendly bio-dyes and bio-agents. Their mission is to reduce harmful chemicals, lower energy consumption, and increase water recycling, while also improving the safety of working conditions in dyeing facilities. BloomGEM’s two dyeing systems—the plant dye system and microbial dye system—are at the forefront of this revolution.
The plant dye system is a clever use of agricultural waste—think pomegranate peels and walnut shells—to produce vibrant, natural dyes. On the other hand, the microbial dye system uses biotechnology to develop efficient, eco-friendly dyes. Plus, thanks to their in-house bio-agents, BloomGEM has solved the long-standing issue of color fastness, meaning their dyes are not just green but also durable.
And BloomGEM’s impact goes beyond just textiles. Their sustainable dyes are gaining traction in industries like food, cosmetics, and coatings, providing a greener alternative for companies looking to lower their environmental footprint. By focusing on bio-based materials, BloomGEM is offering a full-spectrum solution that's changing the game in sustainable manufacturing.
Interested in discovering more APAC companies innovating in textiles? Explore our directory of over 1,000 climate tech companies in the region: https://www.asiaclimatehub.com/