Solena Materials Announces $6.7 Million Raise to Scale Production of Sustainable Protein Fibres | Solena Materials - Next generation sustainable fibres for market-leading apparel
Summary
London, UK 5th May 2025 Solena Materials, a biomaterials company developing novel protein fibres for high-performance, intrinsically sustainable clothing, has secured $6.7 million in investment in a seed funding round backed by Sir David Harding, SynBioVen and Insempra.Using artificial intelligence-based methods to develop bespoke proteins, Solena Materials produces high-performance clothing fibres that are tough, soft to the touch, and biodegradable; now, with funding secured, they are on a clear pathway to scale.The company offers bio-based solutions for the apparel industry, providing a more environmentally responsible alternative to currently prevalent petrochemical-derived, non-biodegradable performance materials whose environmental impact includes plastic pollution entering the water cycle through production and garment washing.This funding will facilitate Solenas expansion to larger facilities, allowing it to enhance its IP portfolio and start commercially supporting customers across the fashion and textiles industries. This molecular-level design enables precise tuning of fibre propertiesfrom tensile strength and elasticity to biodegradability and functional performanceunlocking new possibilities for technical textiles and next-generation apparel.Dr James MacDonald, Co-Founder and CEO of Solena Materials, comments: This investment is a strong vote of confidence in our mission to deliver the next generation of textile fibres. For too long, businesses have relied on petrochemical production and environmental exploitation, depleting our limited natural resources, and polluting our planet. Insempras advanced technology platform enables the production of superior natural ingredients on an industrial scale to help the worlds leading brands transform their products.SynBioVen is an investment vehicle launched in early 2022 focused on supporting the next generation of synthetic biology scientists, founders and start-ups. We believe that synthetic biology will drive the next industrial revolution and the transition to a net-zero economy, with UK companies playing a leading role.Sir David Harding has been a leader in the development of scientific investment methods for over 40 years.