Simplifyber, a U.S.-based innovator in bio-based materials, has raised US$12 million in Series A funding, with Suzano Ventures—a corporate venture arm of the world’s largest pulp producer—leading the round.
The investment will support Simplifyber’s mission to transform the manufacturing of fashion, automotive interiors, and consumer goods through sustainable alternatives to synthetic materials.
Founded in 2021, Simplifyber has developed a unique 3D-molding process that eliminates traditional textile manufacturing steps such as spinning, weaving, cutting, and sewing. Its proprietary cellulose-based liquid material, Fybron™, can be molded into soft goods that are fully biodegradable and derived from natural fibers.
The funding round also included participation from At One Ventures, Techstars, Plug and Play Sustainability Fund, One Small Planet, and others, and follows a US$4.2 million Seed round raised in 2022.
“We believe the best way to reduce process waste and prevent plastics from ending up in the environment is to start at the design stage,” said Maria Intscher-Owrang, Simplifyber CEO and co-founder. “With Suzano Ventures as a strategic investor, we now have access to top-tier fiber expertise and support to scale globally.”
Simplifyber’s technology has already made waves in the fashion industry. The company unveiled a shoe upper made from its natural material at Paris Fashion Week in September 2024, in partnership with the brand GANNI. With its latest funding, Simplifyber plans to expand its manufacturing capabilities, deepen R&D in materials science and mechanical engineering, and bring its products closer to cost parity with conventional textiles.
Suzano Ventures views this investment as a step toward replacing fossil-based synthetics across a range of industries. “Simplifyber’s pioneering approach has the potential to disrupt soft goods supply chains from apparel to automotive,” said Paula Puzzi, Senior Manager at Suzano Ventures. “This is closely aligned with our mission to scale sustainable bio-based solutions.”
Suzano is the world’s largest producer of market pulp and a global leader in bio-based solutions derived from renewable eucalyptus. Headquartered in Brazil, Suzano supplies sustainable raw materials for paper, packaging, and emerging technologies aimed at replacing fossil-based products. The company operates in over 100 countries and is committed to innovation and environmental responsibility.
