Qorium Raises 22 Million Euros for Lab-grown Leather; Modern Meadow’s Handbag Collab: Sustainable Scene

GOING DUTCH: Dutch biotechnology company Qorium has raised a 22 million euro series A round to accelerate the commercialization of its cultivated leather technology.

“This investment is a powerful vote of confidence in our mission to transform the leather industry,” said Qorium chief executive officer Michael Newton. “By combining cutting-edge science with deep leather expertise and sustainable practices, we are creating real leather that offers better performance than traditional animal-derived leather, without the environmental and ethical costs.”

The round was led by the Dutch national impact investor Invest-NL and Limburg regional development agency LIOF. They joined existing backers Brightlands Venture Partners and Sofinnova Partners, which re-upped their investment, as well as several private investors.

The investment from Invest-NL was made under the European Commission’s InvestEU program.

The funding follows an 8-million-euro raise across two seed rounds, with the first 2.6 million euros raised in 2021, and an additional 7.4 million euros in 2024.

The round will support Qorium in its scaling and commercialization efforts. The company will expand capacity at its Maastricht facility and work to build new partnerships for its lab-grown leather.

The company delivered its first proof of concept with a sample of leather grown from animal cells released last year. The lab process eliminates the need for livestock farming, reduces waste and lowers environmental impact.

“At Invest-NL, we invest in technologies that drive systemic change,” said Invest-NL senior investment manager Lisette Kersting-van der Boog. “Qorium’s leather is a breakthrough innovation that can transform one of the world’s most polluting industries.”

Guillaume Baxter, partner at Sofinnova Partners, added: “This investment reflects Qorium’s impressive progress to date and our strong belief in the economic and sustainability potential of its leather.”

Qorium said that it will appoint a new director to its board in the coming weeks.

NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED: Meanwhile, leather alternative producer Modern Meadow has partnered with German brand Melina Bucher on its first collection of handbags made from its next-gen, animal-free material, Innovera Suede.

Among the offerings are the half-moon shape Loulou style and the elongated architectural style Tessa. A third style, the Bailey, is a structured handle bag with the handles reinforced with Elevate material from Uncaged Innovations. All are handmade in the brand’s Berlin atelier in on-trend deep chocolate tones for winter.

“Our collaboration with Melina Bucher aligns with our ethos of creating products that are good for the planet,” said Modern Meadow chief executive officer David Williamson. “Our innovative bio-design technology offers them the look, feel and smell of suede and gives them the creative freedom to customize their designs for any need. Innovera proves that aesthetics, responsibility and performance can co-exist in one versatile, forward-facing material.”

Modern Meadow was an early pioneer in the lab-grown leather space, before pivoting to bio-fabricated materials. Its Innovera Suede is termed an “animal-free leather alternative” made from plant proteins, biopolymers and recycled tire rubber. The material incorporates more than 80 percent renewable carbon content.

YES, SYRE: Textile impact company Syre has unveiled a multiyear partnership with Nike Inc. to integrate circular, textile-to-textile recycled polyester into Nike’s performance wear, marking a significant step toward “closing the loop” in apparel materials.

Under the agreement, Syre will become Nike’s lead strategic supplier for textile-to-textile recycled polyester. The collaboration reflects Nike’s sustainability ambitions and Syre’s mission to “accelerate the great textile shift.” The first products made with Syre’s circular polyester are expected within the next few years.

“Our partnership with Syre represents a shift in our materials strategy and how we source,” said Nike vice president, materials supply chain Sitora Muzafarova. “Innovation is at the heart of Nike’s DNA and textile-to-textile recycled polyester is essential in our ambition to design and produce breakthrough products that both perform to the highest standards that our athletes expect and are more sustainable at the same time.”

Founded in 2023 by H&M Group and Swedish impact investing firm Vargas Holding, Syre is backed by investors including TPG Rise Climate, Giant Ventures, IMAS Foundation, Leitmotif, Norrsken VC, and Volvo.

For Syre, which is developing a global network of recycling plants starting with its first large-scale facility planned for Vietnam in 2027, the Nike deal marks a pivotal step.

“Having Nike, the global leader in sportswear and innovation, commit to textile-to-textile generated polyester sends a powerful signal to the entire industry,” said Dennis Nobelius, Syre’s chief executive officer. “This is not a one-off initiative or capsule collection; this is a moment when circular materials move from concept to commercial reality at scale.”

AROUND IN CIRCLES: New York-based nonprofit Accelerating Circularity, dedicated to scaling textile-to-textile recycling, has elevated chief operating officer Eileen Mockus to the chief executive officer role.

Founder and current CEO Karla Magruder will become board chair, and contine to guide the organization’s strategic direction as it seeks to scale operations.

San Francisco-based Mockus brings more than two decades of experience in sustainable textile innovation, including over a decade as president and CEO of organic beddings and home goods company Coyuchi, as well as executive and sourcing positions at Pottery Barn, The North Face, and Patagonia.

“I’m thrilled to step into this role at such a pivotal time,” said Mockus. “The groundwork has been laid, partnerships are strong, and the demand for scalable textile-to-textile recycling has never been greater. Together, we can ensure the transition to a future where textiles are no longer wasted.”

Since its founding in 2019, Accelerating Circularity has convened brands and supply chain actors, brought post-consumer textile-to-textile products to market at scale, and launched working groups for textile chemical recyclers and trim suppliers. The nonprofit also secured a Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to Action to divert 325 tons of textiles from landfill.

“With Eileen’s expertise and passion for low-impact textile systems, the organization is perfectly positioned to move from pilot programs to industry-wide implementation,” said Magruder.

Accelerating Circularity will continue advancing textile circularity through scalable programs, tools, and commercially viable business models. The group has partnered with companies including Zara parent Inditex, Gap Inc., Nike, Target, Walmart, and Zalando, and most recently revealed a partnership with U.S.-based fashion-technology firm Dhana Inc., which uses AI and data integration digital tools to help brands move toward circular solutions.