Textile innovation is taking root in an unexpected place. Fibe, a London-based material science company, has developed the world’s first textile fiber from potato harvest waste. This breakthrough tackles agricultural waste challenges and offers a compelling alternative to conventional textile materials.
Transforming Agricultural Waste into Fashion Gold
The fashion industry faces mounting pressure to reduce its environmental impact. Fibe responds with a pioneering process that turns agricultural byproducts—especially potato peels and stems—into sustainable alternatives for conventional fabrics. Annually, about 150 million tonnes of potato crop waste are pulverized and incinerated, providing no economic value to farmers or benefit to the circular economy.
Idan Gal-Shohet, CEO & Co-founder of Fibe, said:
“We are aiming to create an alternative that looks like conventional fibres, feels like conventional fibres, and would one day cost the same as these fibres, all with substantial environmental savings and promoting staple food production.”
Fibe’s approach extracts fibers from potato harvest waste using a patent-pending biological process free from harsh chemicals and requiring minimal steps. These fibers match the properties of traditional materials like cotton and polyester. With a diameter similar to cotton, they surpass bast fibers such as hemp and linen, supporting applications from heavy canvas to light breathable shirts.
Environmental Impact and Sustainable Advantage
The textile sector is among the most resource-intensive industries globally. Fiber extraction and preparation account for a significant share of the apparel industry’s emissions.
Fibe’s technology and waste-stream feedstocks deliver substantial environmental benefits:
- 99.7% less water usage than cotton
- 82% fewer carbon emissions
- No additional land requirements
The company’s production process is designed to minimize energy and water use, advancing the circular economy by transforming waste into a valuable resource.
Investment and Industry Recognition
Fibe has completed its first investment round, securing £1 million in pre-seed funding led by Tin Shed Ventures, Patagonia’s corporate venture arm. Multiple Innovate UK grants totaling £785,000 further demonstrate industry confidence.
Idan Gal-Shohet, CEO & Co-founder of Fibe, explains:
“With this funding, we will focus on scaling up our process so that we have all the necessary technical and commercial validation to bring a competitive fibre to the market in the coming years.”
Asha Agrawal, Managing Director of Tin Shed Ventures, stated on LinkedIn:
“This is Patagonia and Tin Shed Ventures doing what we do best! We found a team of incredible entrepreneurs in Europe who are taking the waste stream from one of the top 5 largest agricultural commodities, potatoes, and turning it into a fiber as soft as cotton! Welcome to the portfolio, Fibe! Excited to see what we create together.”
Technical Innovation and Future Vision
Fibe’s technology has led to the creation of a more efficient system that requires fewer steps and produces higher quality fibres. The benefit is that this same process can now be used on other fibrous waste streams and even improves hemp and linen extraction.
Fibe recently created the world’s first yarn from potato harvest waste using common textile spinning machinery at the University of Leeds, confirming the fibers’ suitability for mass production.
Future Outlook
Fibe’s work with potato harvest waste sets a new standard for sustainable fashion production. As Fibe scales its technology, it leads the sustainable textile revolution, offering designers, manufacturers, and consumers an exciting alternative to reduce fabric production’s environmental footprint without compromising quality.
