Material World is a weekly roundup of innovations and ideas within the materials sector, covering news from emerging biomaterials and alternative leathers to sustainable substitutes and future-proof fibers.
Trove
Branded resale company Trove and European travel brand Db announced the addition of “Repairs” to its Lost and Found program, completing the circular ecosystem the partners began building in August.
Related Stories
“After successfully launching Trade-In and Resale with us, Db has now rapidly expanded [its] ‘Lost & Found’ ecosystem with repairs—all powered by Trove,” said Terry Boyle, chief executive officer of Trove. “The launch of our Repairs Plugin validates our vision that flexible, fast-launching program modules empower brands to move quickly, learn, and scale with confidence.”
Trove’s Repair plugin allows brands to embed professional repair services directly into their existing e-commerce sites. For Db, this means customers can now access the complete product lifecycle in one place—trade-in pre-owned gear, purchase resale items and get professional repairs—all through Db’s main platform. And, just like Trove’s other plugins, Repair works with any e-commerce platform.
“Repairs aren’t an add-on—they’re a natural continuation of how we design our products, making sure every one of them stays in use for as long as possible,” said Joachim Gund, chief transformation officer at Db. “Together with trade-in and resale, they form a powerful trio in our Lost & Found program—built to extend product life and cut the need for new materials.”
The service debuted in Norway and the EU. Now, the UK, Switzerland and North America (including Canada) are in the works.
Mud Jeans x Tencel
Mud Jeans is expanding its closed-loop collaborations. The circular denim brand has teamed with Lenzing to incorporate Tencel lyocell fibers derived from sustainably-sourced wood into its production process for the collection.
“Blending Tencel lyocell fibers into our recycled-cotton denims gives us the best of both worlds: the soft, cool hand-feel and fluid drape people love plus the strength and breathability great jeans demand,” said Jolanda Brink, CEO of Mud Jeans. “It elevates comfort without sacrificing authenticity and fits perfectly with our mission to make circular fashion the new normal.”
At the crux of the collection is the cellulosic fiber, derived from certified- or controlled-wood sources. Compared to generic lyocell, Tencel fibers are made with at least 50 percent less carbon emissions and water consumption.
Mud Jeans sources used jeans from its take-back program and partners with recyclers and mills to spin them into fabric—here, it’s blended with Tencel lyocell fibers for comfort and strength.
“Mud Jeans proves that circular design and premium craftsmanship can move the industry forward,” said Tuncay Kilickan, Lenzing‘s head of business development for denim. “Our certified-source, wood-based fibers and closed-loop production help reduce resource use—and when combined with Mud’s take-back program and high-recycled content, the result is denim that looks timeless, feels exceptional, and moves the industry towards a lower impact.”
OceanSafe x Lenzing Group
Swiss polymer science company OceanSafe has teamed with the Lenzing Group to launch next-gen performance textiles featuring Tencel Lyocell A100 and naNea fibers.
The former are made using a resource-saving, closed-loop process. The latter are biodegradable in the ocean and recyclable, with naNea’s Cradle to Cradle (C2C) certified “gold” status, underscoring its environmental standards. Tencel Lyocell A100 fibers provide natural softness with moisture control and resistance to odor-causing bacteria. The naNea co-polyester, meanwhile, adds endurance, tear strength and quick-dry capabilities.
“In developing this new yarn, we made sure that it isn’t just environmentally responsible, but also improved performance, functionality and durability,” said Matthias Fuchs, CMO at OceanSafe. “We believe making responsible choices should feel like an upgrade, not a compromise. This yarn provides brands with a scalable, plug-and-play solution that supports their environmental commitments while enhancing garment performance.”
The debut sportswear capsule showcases a market-ready alternative for conventional synthetics, offering enhanced comfort, additional performance and functionality as well as end-of-life solutions.
“Creating the collection was “truly a joint effort,” the partners said, bringing together experts from across the entire industry.
“We had Tearfil working their magic with yarn development, Impetus bringing their know-how for amazing knits and seamless fabrics, Kingwhale perfecting the fleece that feels so good against your skin and G-Loft Premium Insulation contributing with their filling technology for jackets,” said Nicole Schram, head of global technical business development at Lenzing Group. “This collection is a testament to the power of collaboration in driving meaningful change and scaling innovative solutions.”
Ciele Athletics x Woolmark
Canadian technical performance apparel brand Ciele Athletics has partnered with Woolmark to launch its first-ever Woolmark-certified collection of Merino wool winter apparel and headwear.
“At Ciele Athletics, quality, care and considered design guide everything we create,” said CEO Jano Arabaghian. “Our partnership with Woolmark builds on that commitment by bringing Merino’s natural performance and sustainability to runners and athletes everywhere in a collection built to last, designed with purpose and certified to the highest standards.”
Merino wool brings natural performance benefits that make it ideal for running and outdoor training. Key features include temperature regulation for shifting conditions, dynamically-breathable fibers that adapt to body temperature changes and a soft, next-to-skin feel as well as moisture-wicking and odor-resistant properties for long-lasting comfort.
“Merino wool is a natural high performer, making it the ideal choice whether you’re hitting the pavement for your daily run or competing in your next marathon,” said Woolmark’s managing director, John Roberts. “We are thrilled to partner with Ciele Athletics to push the boundaries of Merino wool to develop Woolmark-certified functional performance apparel and headwear for the everyday athlete.”
Key pieces include headgear pieces like the VNTBeanie—a rib-knit beanie with integrated AirBeam vents for ventilation and heat management—and the CXBeanie, a temperature-regulating beanie featuring a jacquard pattern with engineered darts. The HLSLongsleeve base layer features integrated thumb holes and an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating of at least 40.
LifeLabs x Kingwhale
Materials science company LifeLabs has partnered with high-performance fabric manufacturer Kingwhale to integrate LifeLabs’ CoolLife and WarmLife technologies into Kingwhale’s range of knits and wovens.
“Integrating CoolLife gives our fabrics inherent thermoregulating properties,” said James Huang, CEO of Kingwhale. “Instead of the fabric just sitting there, it actively works with your body’s natural cooling process to ward off overheating and keep you consistently comfortable.”
WarmLife is a patented textile designed to reflect infrared heat back to the body, providing insulation with less material. CoolLife, positioned as the first infrared-transparent fabric on the market, is engineered to release body heat to help keep wearers cool in warm conditions.
Under the agreement, Kingwhale will integrate LifeLabs’ temperature-modulating technologies into its manufacturing. The companies said the deal will widen access to lightweight thermal fabrics and support joint development of lower-impact versions of the materials, including ocean-safe options.
“This collaboration allows LifeLabs to extend the science of thermoregulation across more product categories, from outdoor and activewear to everyday lifestyle apparel,” said Sophia Ou, co-founder and CEO of LifeLabs. “Through Kingwhale’s trusted global network, we can bring our validated, university-backed technology to more consumers, making climate-conscious comfort part of daily life and outdoor adventure alike.”
