By Emily Cai [Contributing Writer, Footwear Materials Specialist at On Running] September 12, 2022 In 2021, the Material Innovation Initiative (MII) reported that $980 million dollars of funding were poured into next-gen material innovation — more than doubling 2020’s funding. The MII’s report was not surprising to those working in…

By Rhonda Richford [Contributing Writer, Reporter of Finance and Sustainability at WWD] August 22, 2022 Footwear has an outsized footprint on the environment. …

By Emily Cai [Contributing Writer, Footwear Materials Specialist at On Running] August 1, 2022 In 2021, the Material Innovation Initiative reported that $980 million dollars of funding were poured into next-generation (next-gen) material innovation — more than doubling 2020’s input to the industry. The MII’s report was not surprising to…

By Emily Cai May 9, 2022 There are 95 next-gen materials companies receiving funding from over 187 unique investors and working with at least 95% of leading fashion brands. Connecting this web of parties in the new and fast-growing industry of next-gen materials is what prompted the launch of the…

By Emily Cai 28 March, 2022 BUCHA BIO is at the forefront of the rapidly growing biomaterials industry. But, what is a biomaterial? This futuristic term conjures images of diaphanous gowns made of algae and sneakers spun from spider silk — in practice, “biomaterial” has been used to label anything…

By Emily Cai 7 March, 2022 The recent introduction of a New York bill calling for transparency and accountability joins the ranks of urgent voices pushing for more progress in sustainability in the fashion industry. Fast fashion’s environmental impact ranges from microplastic pollution in the ocean to millions of tons…