Imasus

We have new samples from Hiblatech!

2026-04-10T00:00:00+02:00

We have new samples from Hiblatech and the opportunity to learn more about their work with pineapple leaf fiber, a material created from agricultural waste.

It is fascinating to see how this biomass is transformed into a strong and versatile fiber with multiple applications in textiles and design. Exploring material innovations like this helps us better understand how waste streams can be turned into valuable resources for a more sustainable industry.

Soon, we will be able to observe these materials under the microscope and continue discovering their structure in greater detail.

If you want to know more about their work, you can visit the Hiblatech website.

Eeden: Innovation in Textile Recycling

2026-04-07T00:00:00+02:00

We have received fibers from Eeden and had the opportunity to learn more about the company’s approach to textile recycling.

Eeden is a technology company based in Germany that is developing advanced solutions for the chemical recycling of cotton and polyester textiles. Its process makes it possible to separate and recover cellulose and PET monomers, which can then be transformed into virgin-quality fibers such as lyocell, viscose, and polyester.

This kind of innovation is especially relevant for a more circular textile industry, since it helps recover valuable resources from end-of-life textiles and return them to the production cycle in a high-quality form.

We are looking forward to exploring these fibers more closely and continuing to learn from emerging material solutions like this one.

If you want to know more about their work, you can visit their website Eeden.

Transforming Banana Production Waste

2026-03-27T00:00:00+01:00

We have been exploring fiber made from banana production waste and recently had the opportunity to learn more about this material, developed from agricultural residues in the Canary Islands.

It is particularly interesting to see how what would otherwise be discarded can become a valuable resource. The process is entirely manual and requires no water or energy consumption, resulting in a fiber that is strong, flexible, and very lightweight.

Its versatility allows it to be used in a wide range of textile techniques, including embroidery, crochet, knitting, and needle lace, opening new possibilities for sustainable fashion and material experimentation.

We are really looking forward to observing it under the microscope and better understanding its internal structure and potential.

If you would like to learn more, you can follow:

Instagram: @pilarurenaescariz
Instagram: @plataneralab

An Edible Material

2026-03-24T00:00:00+01:00

We are excited to share that we have received a new material from Risa Ueno: an edible and innovative sample unlike anything we have worked with before.

According to the creator, it is a knitted textile made from protein-based edible plastic yarn, opening new possibilities for sustainable and experimental fashion.

It is always inspiring to see people from different fields wanting to collaborate with us and bring fresh ideas into our projects. Encounters like this continue to expand the kinds of materials, processes, and perspectives we can explore together.

If you would like to learn more about Risa Ueno’s work, we recommend checking these channels:

Instagram: @ruru.16.ediblecat
Website

Innovative Materials Under the Microscope

2026-03-18T00:00:00+01:00

Last week we visited the LMA facilities to use the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and analyze several Pyratex textiles. Working at this scale allows us to observe structures that cannot be seen with the naked eye and helps us better understand how these innovative materials behave.

During the session, we took a closer look at fibers such as bamboo and banana-based textiles, documenting the details that make these materials so interesting for sustainable fashion research.

We are very happy to collaborate in this kind of work, which helps IMASUS move the project forward and continue exploring more sustainable and creative solutions for fashion.

Soon we will share some of the images from this session to show the surprising details hidden inside these textiles.

Discovering Pyratex Materials

2026-03-10T00:00:00+01:00

We had the opportunity to speak with Ietje, who introduced us to Pyratex’s work and gave us the chance to receive a selection of their material samples.

We are very happy to have these new samples in our hands. They are made from materials such as bamboo, recycled cotton, algae, and other innovative components, and many of them also come with quality certifications.

Soon, we will examine them using a SEM microscope, and we are excited to discover more about these materials at the micro scale.

Torné Grup-TNTEX: The First Open Call Samples Arrive at INMA

2026-02-23T09:00:00+01:00

Last week, an exciting package arrived at INMA’s facilities: the material samples we had been eagerly awaiting from Torné Grup-TNTEX. We are very happy to have the first Open Call results in our hands.

The samples feature innovative fabrics that combine sustainability, technology, and a sensory richness that truly inspires us.

Before receiving them, we had an online meeting with Eli Torné, Managing Director of Torné Grup, who kindly answered all our questions about their materials. Being able to touch the samples, observe their drape, and imagine what designers might create with them is a magical part of the process, and through this project we get to experience it firsthand.

We already have ideas on how to test them and learn as much as possible from their micrographic structure. We will share more details very soon, but for now we wanted to celebrate this special moment.

If you would like to know more about their products, we highly recommend checking their channels:

Musapiel: The First Plant-Based Leather Born in the Canary Islands

2026-02-19T00:00:00+01:00

On Friday morning, we received a package at INMA from Fibras Naturales Canarias containing samples of their material, Musapiel.

Musapiel is an ecological material that looks like leather but is made from banana tree fibers and agricultural waste. It is mostly plant-based, plastic-free, and compostable, and it is used as an alternative to animal leather for bags, clothing, and accessories.

We are excited to study its structure under the microscope, since this is the first time we will analyze a material like this.

If you want to learn more, visit Fibras Naturales Canarias.

Exploring Compostable Fashion at Dutch Design Week, on Cadena SER

2026-01-27T00:00:00+01:00

The IMASUS project helps us discover inspiring people and initiatives in sustainable fashion transformation. This gives us a broad perspective on industry trends and challenges that can be addressed using research and technology. For me (Guille), it has been an impactful experience, and I strive to disseminate knowledge about our results by sharing them, this time on the radio.

The Dutch Design Week is one of the most relevant European design event, where more than 2,500 creators showcase their innovations in sustainability. This year’s theme “Past. Present. Possible.” brought together numerous interesting projects.

I focused on those related to textiles and fashion since they align with our work at IMASUS. We discovered Wear | Us and with help from our colleague Arianna from Lotozzero, who was at the Eindhoven fair, we interviewed Alessandro, the initiative’s promoter.

In the interview, Alessandro explained the challenges of creating compostable garments. Even with sustainable fabric, there’s often something non-compostable, like the tags or thread. Wear Us addresses this by developing fully compostable clothing. What surprised me was their innovative business model offering DIY kits for people to create their own garments, transforming clothing production into a social and educational experience.

We link the page Cadena SER and you can listen to the full radio section in this link (in Spanish).

Meet Lucas Furhmann: Building Circular Materials from the Ground Up

2026-01-23T00:00:00+01:00

Over the past months, we’ve been characterizing and documenting innovative alternatives that can help the textile industry transition away from linear practices. Each material in our database represents a different approach, it is a different piece of the puzzle.

One of these innovators is Revoltech, whose materials: Lovr (hemp-based) and Mattr (algae-based), have been fully characterized and will be included in the database with full results published in the coming months.

But beyond the technical specifications and lab results, we wanted to share something more personal: a conversation with Lucas Furhmann, Co-Founder and CEO of revoltech, about their vision, their materials, and their advice for the next generation of designers.

What Makes revoltech’s Approach Different?

Revoltech isn’t just creating “alternatives” to leather that are 100% bio-based and biodegradable. No polyurethane. No PVC. No compromises.

But here’s what makes their approach particularly interesting: their materials are carbon negative. Hemp grows fast with deep roots that stay in the soil after harvest, contributing to humus formation and sequestering carbon long-term. When you calculate the full lifecycle, hemp fibers actually have a negative carbon footprint.

From Lab to Real World

What caught our attention about Revoltech is that they’re collaborating with the fashion industry on accessories and applications that will hit the market in the coming months. And you can already buy a Swiss watch with Lovr material. This is innovation that’s actually reaching people.

The Best Advice for Students (Spoiler: Do Your Research)

When we asked Lucas what advice he’d give to design students, his answer was direct: stop trusting easy headlines.

There’s a lot of greenwashing out there. Materials that sound sustainable probably aren’t. Your responsibility as a designer is to ask difficult questions—to manufacturers, to suppliers, to yourself. Really understand the materials you’re planning to use before you commit to them.

And be patient. Developing truly sustainable materials takes time. It’s not something that happens quickly or easily, and designers who want materials “tomorrow in 20 different colors” need to understand the complexity of what they’re asking for.

Why This Collaboration Matters

Our collaboration with revoltech has been special from the start. We first met Christian Boxheimer at a bio-based ecosystem event, and from that first conversation, everything clicked. Their openness, speed, effectiveness, and collaborative spirit made working together effortless.

For me it’s a reminder that the sustainable materials revolution isn’t just about science, it’s about people who genuinely want to solve problems together.

Watch the Full Interview

https://youtu.be/9LH7oUWj1XY