n/a

Wool

Plant-derived

2014

Finland

4/5

Founder(s): 

Juha Salmela

https://spinnova.com/

About the Company

In 2009, Technical Research Centre of Finland’s (VTT) cellulose expert, Juha Salmela, heard a presentation from a leading spider researcher, who explained the similarities between spider web protein and nanocellulose. Salmela began investigating whether wood fiber could be spun into textile fiber in a similar way. After four year of research, the idea spun off from the laboratory into an industrial pilot, and then into the startup Spinnova, earning Salmela the title of 2018’s European CTO of the Year in the category for small and medium-size companies.

Spinnova creates wool-like textile fibers directly from FSC-certified wood and waste streams without harmful chemical processes.

Technology

Using the technology they created, Spinnova mechanically refines pulp raw material and transforms it into a spin-ready fiber suspension with non-toxic chemistry. The wood pulp flows through a unique nozzle, where the fibrils rotate and align with the flow, creating a strong, elastic network. The fiber is then spun and dried, at which point it is suitable for spinning into yarn and then knitting or weaving into fabric.

Spinnova send samples to selected partners.

Marimekko, H&M, Bergans of Norway, Bestseller (Fashion FWD).

Bergans of Norway's jacket from the Collection of Tomorrow made with Spinnova.

Bergans of Norway's of Norway's bag made with Spinnova.

Marimekko's jacket made with Spinnova.