Pangea’s Pit Stop, Americhem’s PFAS Exit

Material World is a weekly roundup of innovations and ideas within the materials sector, covering what’s changing in how fashion is made, scaled or engineered from emerging biomaterials and alternative leathers to sustainable substitutes and future-proof fibers.

Pangea

Pangea, a global automotive leather supplier, expanded its Advanced Product line with four new sustainable offerings: Ecoda Agave, Ecoda Avocado, Vendura Agave and Vendura Avocado. These chrome (Ecoda) and chrome-free (Vendura) leather solutions use upcycled agave leaves and avocado pits as key materials.

The Michigan-based company is working with Mexican agricultural partners to convert farm waste and byproducts into biopolymers, plant-based molecules such as proteins and polysaccharides that serve as the foundation for materials used in its leather goods.

“The introduction of these new products demonstrates the progress we’ve made in merging true luxury with sustainability,” said Roger Pinto, director of sustainability and innovation at Pangea. “By partnering with local chemical industry and Mexican agricultural communities, we’ve blended cultural heritage with cutting-edge science to transform waste into high-quality leather products that are better for the planet and for people.”

The agave industry harvests about 2.4 million metric tons of agave piña hearts annually, according to Pangea, with about 40-46 percent of each plant’s weight cut away and discarded at harvest. The Walmart collaborator said each kilogram of agave leaves yields 1.5 kg of biopolymer mixture. The waste from a single large agave piña can produce enough biopolymers to co-formulate the retannage — an additional treatment after tanning where leather is exposed to chemicals or natural agents to fine-tune its feel — of roughly 80 hides.

Mexico’s avocado industry generates up to 530,000 metric tons of pit waste each year. Pangea’s partners mill (grind) and hydrolyze (break down using water) these pits. The resulting biopolymers are used in leather production. For every kilogram of pits collected, Pangea said its partners can produce 1.4 kg of ready-to-use biopolymer mixture.

Carbios

Industrial biotechnology firm Carbios has reaffirmed its goal to build its industrial-scale PET biorecycling facility in northeastern France.

The French green chemistry company strives to restart construction of the Longlaville plant under a project-financing structure and begin production in the first half of 2028, subject to finalizing financing. Based near Clermont-Ferrand, the certified B Corp stated that discussions to complete this financing structure are “progressing constructively” but are not yet complete.

Alongside 42.5 million euros ($49.26 million) in confirmed and contractually secured public funding, the project entity (Carbios 54) plan includes commercial bank debt supported by the French GPS and Danish EIFO guarantee schemes. The structure also includes equity from several French partners and an additional contribution from Carbios, which will leave the company as a minority, non-controlling shareholder.

Consequently, Carbios will not consolidate the debt or financial results of its “Carbios 54” vehicle. The financing package is designed to fund just under $266 million in construction costs and cover the full ramp-up to break-even. That includes plant equipment, engineering, contingency for industrial risk, working capital, required reserve accounts and ongoing operating expenses until the operation turns profitable.

Stakeholders aim to close the financing by the third quarter of 2026 and reach 70 percent of future production capacity through new pre-sales contracts in the coming months.

The Lycra Company x Texhong International Group

The Lycra Company has corn-fed stretch.

The struggling textile giant announced a collaboration with Texhong International Group, a Hong Kong-headquartered investment holding company that’s also one of the largest cotton yarn suppliers in the global supply chain.

Under the collaboration, Texhong will help scale the spandex supplier’s Renewable Lycra fiber — a material that the debtor in possession (DIP) marketed as containing 30 percent bio-derived content — in China’s core-spun yarn market.

“This strategic partnership fully underscores The Lycra Company’s leading capabilities in sustainable fiber innovation and industrial application,” said Jason Wang, vice president of Asia for the Wilmington, Del.-based company. “Renewable Lycra fiber already boasts a mature foundation for commercial adoption.”

The fiber, partially derived from dent corn, is designed to maintain the performance of conventional spandex while delivering up to a 32 percent reduction in carbon emissions, according to a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment.

“Partnering with The Lycra Company will bring new breakthroughs in biobased material applications and further improve product sustainability,” said Zhou Xia, chief operating officer of Texhong. “Together, we will jointly accelerate the innovation and market penetration of bio-derived core-spun yarn solutions.”

Big Agnes x Hologenix

Hologenix is bringing its infrared technology to the great outdoors.

Big Agnes, an outdoor gear company based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, teamed with the California materials science firm to debut the UL Recovery Sleeping Bag Liner with Celliant. It features infrared technology said to be a first-of-its-kind for sleeping bag liners.

“Every outdoor enthusiast knows that when you’re sleeping under the stars, waking up feeling rested and recovered can be the difference between an average day and a great day,” Seth Casden, founder and CEO of Hologenix, said in a statement. “This liner can help people sleep better after a long day on the trail and wake up feeling more refreshed and ready to go further.”

Made with Celliant and Repreve’s recycled polyester, the liner converts body heat into infrared energy to increase circulation and cellular oxygenation. It delivers what the partners called “science-backed, evidence-based benefits,” such as improved sleep quality and faster muscle recovery.

“Incorporating Celliant infrared technology into this new liner not only makes for a more comfortable sleep environment but also adds a new level of muscle recovery, which is perfect for athletes,” said Michael Thompson, director of design and development at Big Agnes.

Americhem

Polymer solutions provider Americhem just dropped “nDryve,” a new technology for fibers that repels multiple liquids — including alcohol resistance — without using “forever chemicals” known as PFAS.

The Ohio-based custom color masterbatch manufacturer said Ndryve features a “built-in” coating that allows the fibers to function properly (resist fluids and stains) without any surface treatments. The offering’s intended for “tough” end-use cases, from medical materials, such as industrial protective fibers and hygiene products, to textiles, such as apparel and carpets.

“Evolving global PFAS regulations are reshaping how manufacturers evaluate barrier and surface performance technologies,” said Matt Miklos, vice president of corporate strategy and marketing at Americhem. “Ndryve provides a PFAS-free pathway that aligns performance with emerging regulatory expectations.”

The solution uses custom formulations for common fiber polymers: polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyamide 6 (PA6). Because it’s added during melt processing rather than as a top coating, Americhem said there’s less risk of the protection wearing off. Plus, it requires fewer finishing steps to deliver more uniform performance over the product’s life. The result is “durable multi-fluid repellency and stain resistance engineered in the fiber structure.”