Photos – courtesy of BioCircular Materials Alliance ©
Big strides are being made in the journey toward a sustainable future, and the BioCircular Materials Alliance (formerly the Biosphere Circulation Project) is guiding. Founded by Spiber Inc. and backed by an ever-expanding coalition of forward-thinking brands and innovators, the Alliance announced its newest members: Stella McCartney, Marzotto Wool Manufacturing Srl, and Fashion for Good. They join an impressive roster of founding members like Kering, Goldwin, Albini Group, Archroma, Armedangels, DyStar, EILEEN FISHER, Fashion for Good, Gruppo Florence, Marzotto Wool Manufacturing Srl, Marimekko, Pangaia, RDD Textiles, Stella McCartney, Spiber Inc., UNITED ARROWS LTD, and Vollebak, (this list does not include anonymous companies that are silent contributors to the Alliance.) 22 Alliance Members as of January 21st, 2025.
At its core, the Alliance is on a mission to revolutionize how we think about waste—turning bio-based materials from textiles, agriculture, and forestry into high-value products through cutting-edge processes like Metabolic Recycling. The ultimate goal? A circular bioeconomy that regenerates rather than depletes.
A Vision of Collaboration and Progress
Kenji Higashi, Spiber Inc.’s Executive Vice President of Sustainability, expressed excitement about the growing coalition: “Seeing such a diverse group of organizations align and collaborate toward a shared goal is truly inspiring. What began as a vision has grown into a dynamic, collaborative effort with strong momentum for real, societal-level change to create a circular future.”
Stella McCartney echoed the sentiment, highlighting the synergy of innovation and teamwork: “Stella McCartney is proud to partner with the BioCircular Materials Alliance, driving the industry towards a circular future. The accomplishments highlighted in the Alliance’s first Progress Report demonstrate significant progress in creating a regenerative bioeconomy, showcasing the power of collaboration and innovation in achieving societal-level change.”
Celebrating Milestones: The 2024 Progress Report
The Alliance’s first-ever Progress Report is now live, capturing the groundbreaking achievements of 2024. Among the highlights:
• The Action Plan: A roadmap to guide the industry toward bio-circularity through shared knowledge, actionable data, and collaboration.
• The Materials BioCircularity Database (Beta): A pioneering tool that allows brands to make smarter decisions by analyzing how fibres, dyes, and chemicals impact recyclability within biocircular systems.
• Product Design Guidelines: A blueprint for creating products that work seamlessly with circular recycling systems, informed by insights from the database.
The Materials BioCircularity Database is still in its early stages, but it’s already helping industry players choose more sustainable materials. A draft of the Product Design Guidelines is expected in 2026, giving the industry even more clarity on how to design for a circular future.
Maria Arroyo I Bacete, Innovation Manager at Fashion for Good, noted the significance of these developments: “Finding solutions for waste feedstocks that currently have no pathways is vital to solving the textile waste crisis. We’re thrilled to contribute expertise to tools like the Materials Circularity Database, which can guide better design choices and help enable bio-circularity.”
In addition to the Progress Report, the Alliance has launched its official website. This platform will serve as a one-stop shop for updates, resources, and opportunities to get involved. From accessing the Progress Report to exploring the database and learning about membership opportunities, the website reflects the Alliance’s commitment to transparency, collaboration, and action.
Why It Matters
The BioCircular Materials Alliance isn’t just about reducing waste; it’s about rethinking how industries operate. By leveraging the transformative power of biology, the Alliance is paving the way for a world where waste becomes a resource, and regeneration replaces extraction.
Established in 2007, Spiber is a biotech venture company based in Yamagata, Japan. Dedicated to creating innovative solutions that contribute to sustainable well-being, Spiber has developed a new material solution inspired by nature’s diversity and circularity: the “Brewed Protein” material platform. By harnessing the power of precision fermentation, Spiber engineers proteins at the molecular level, resulting in versatile materials that can be tailored to specific needs. This innovative solution opens up new possibilities for sustainable and high-performance materials in various industries, including apparel, food, automotives, and more. Alongside their partners, Spiber is constantly exploring diverse new applications for Brewed Protein materials in order to help pave the way for a brighter future.
The Alliance is calling on brands, manufacturers, and policymakers to help shape the future of bio-circularity. Together, we can build a regenerative economy that prioritizes sustainability and inclusivity. This is more than a movement—it’s a commitment to leaving the world better than we found it.
