Armedangels, the Cologne-based fair-fashion label, has signed a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) to lock in future access to Spinnova’s fiber. For Spinnova—now in the middle of a restructuring—it’s a shot at scaling its pulp- and waste-based fiber tech, which can turn inputs from leather scraps to agricultural waste into new textile feedstock.
The LOI outlines a key step in Spinnova’s 2025-26 priorities—creating an ecosystem (see: consortium) to “enable the availability” of its branded cellulosic fiber for the textile materials market, the Scandinavian innovator said.
“We are incredibly proud to announce our partnership with Armedangels, a brand that stands at the forefront of sustainable and responsible fashion,” said Pedro Brito, senior commercial manager at Spinnova. “As we build the ecosystem to support the scale-up of Spinnova fiber, it’s essential to collaborate with partners who share our values and vision for a more sustainable textile industry.”
That said, Spinnova signed binding agreements in October to buy out former partner Suzano’s stake in their planned joint production venture, Woodspin Oy. The Finnish firm paid a token 2 euros ($2.32) for the Brazilian cellulose producer’s shares.
The swan song saw Spinnova gain full ownership of the venture, including Suzano Finland and a $5.8 million capital contribution from Suzano to safeguard against a short-term negative cash flow impact. That said, the move was still expected to negatively affect Spinnova’s overall results for the year, the company said to investors on an Aug. 28 earnings call.
The Armedangels partnership is Spinnova’s first brand collaboration since the acquisition.
And Armedangels, meanwhile, “makes products people love with the least harm to the planet” by keeping its production tight and traceable, per the Cologne-based label. The brand leans on lower-impact materials—spelling out where they come from, how they’re processed and what they cost in both human and environmental terms. That same rubric will drive its move into Spinnova fiber, which will show up in future collections.
“Our Impact* Roadmap constantly pushes us to explore new materials that can lower our footprint—and that’s exactly why Spinnova fits so well with our vision,” said Päivi Eräpuu, innovation and circularity manager of Armedangels. “Their fiber-making approach is fundamentally different and shows real potential as an alternative to cotton.”
That fiber-making approach is mechanical refining. Spinnova’s patented process gives the fiber the look and feel of a natural cellulosic fiber, such as cotton. This also means that Spinnova can make textile fiber(s) from wood pulp or waste inputs—think leather, textiles and agricultural cropping waste—thereby nixing the traditional chemical-dissolving route for viscose and lyocell production.
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The Spinnova technology creates no side streams in the fiber production process, while the fiber itself is made with minimal carbon dioxide emissions and water use, making it reportedly biodegradable and recyclable.
“Introducing new materials takes time—but once we commit, we go all in,” Eräpuu said. “Together, we want to explore the role Spinnova can play in our future collections.”
