Why, of course! Here at AlgiKnit we are developing biomaterials from one of the most renewable resources on the planet -- kelp. Our team of scientists and designers are  working to bring sustainable alternatives to real-world material applications. The fashion industry is one of the most polluting and wasteful industries on Earth. To help offset some of this pollution, AlgiKnit has created a sustainable textile fiber that can be used to design apparel products that reduce waste, fight CO2 and microplastic pollution, and feed into a circular economy, aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources.

What inspired you to work on this technology/product?

We recognize some of the problems in the fashion industry such as excessive amounts of pollution, environmentally-toxic fabrics and materials, not to mention, archaic systems of production, inefficiencies within domestic and international supply chain production. When forming AlgiKnit, we wanted to counteract some of these problems and fundamentally change the world’s relationship to textiles. By creating biodegradable yet rapidly renewable algae-derived yarn, we are able to operate in a closed loop product life cycle. This allows us to utilize materials with a significantly lower environmental footprint than conventional textiles. Bringing sustainable bio-based alternatives to the future of products by creating more options and opportunity is apart of AlgiKnit’s mission. 

What are some challenges you’ve faced?

Creating a product that can revolutionize an industry is a difficult undertaking. We have had to connect dots that have not been connected before in order to establish pathways that will allow us to grow. There have been countless times where we have had to go back to the drawing board to figure out what might have gone wrong. These challenges have allowed us to learn and grow as a business.

What were you up to before AlgiKnit?

Before AlgiKnit, Aaron, Tessa, and Aleks were designers working in textiles and product design. Each was an innovator in their respective field and consistently put sustainability at the forefront of their creative undertakings. Given some of the challenges they individually experienced, and the opportunity to take on these challenges, they came together and formed AlgiKnit.

How do you use the BioBAT space for your business needs?

New York City is a city for early stage life science startups. We want to be a part of the industry here.  BioBAT is a space in Brooklyn that has allowed our company to grow. We are incredibly thankful for the facilities they offer, as they give us space to perform our research in labs and build community outside of them. In addition to this, Sunset Park has offered us an amazing perspective on what it truly means to be a New Yorker: the endless diversity of the city inspires us to be the best people that we can be.

How do you think companies that use “fast fashion” practices that result in a lot of waste can be incentivized to use more sustainable fabrics?

‘Fast Fashion’ is characterized by the quick turnover rate of clothing production and consumption, usually utilizing low-cost materials and a high markup on produced goods. An incentive for companies implementing strategies of fast fashion is to adopt materials that would be competitive in both cost and quality to conventional alternatives. All aspects of the supply chain need to work together. Our part at AlgiKnit is to create cost-competitive, quality yarns that directly competes with conventional textiles.

What advice do you have for people creating their own life science/biotech company?

Learn as much as you can about the industry and the market before you decide to fully commit. We believe you can never know too much about your  passion. Build your network and connect to individuals in your respective industry as well. Whether you are looking to expand your team or trying to find an investor, your network and connections will be there to help you get to the next step. All in all, be prepared to commit to a long journey filled with many ups and downs. There will be breakthroughs but you may also experience burnout. The key is to have a relentless drive and flexibility towards meeting your business goals.  When you are as passionate as we are and are changing the world, even in a small way, you have to be more than knowledgeable and prepared to dedicate your life to your company. 

What advice do you have for students looking into joining the biotechnology industry?

If you are a student looking to join the biotech industry, dedicate yourself to a cause you are passionate about and try to learn as much as you possibly can about it. The biotech industry is a massive field with a variety of companies focused on all sorts of sectors. Quite a few students can become discouraged because they think there are only scientific roles available within the field. This is not the case as there are many different types of roles one can have within a company. When researching job opportunities, it benefits the applicant not only to align with the job functions, but also the company values. We encourage students to reach out and get involved. Keep striving for what you believe in!

What is your supply chain process for sustainable textiles? (From manufacturing to commercialization)

Without getting into too much detail, although we are creating a new material, we are working within existing industries and manufacturing capabilities. Our goal is not to reinvent the wheel, but simply to make it better.

Where do you think the future of fabric sustainability is headed?

The fashion industry, as a whole, is in need of urgent, environmentally-inspired change. We are on the frontier of creating sustainable materials, and luckily, we are not alone. Countless other labs, companies, and individuals are striving towards the goal of creating a more sustainable future of fashion. That said, the future of fabric sustainability relies on innovation from the top down and the bottom up. While we are working hard to create sustainable textile alternatives, larger corporations and fashion houses must implement their own measures of sustainable business practices and production methods to create a future where the environment comes first.

What is next for Algiknit?

We are in the midst of a global climate crisis. There is an urgency to remediate the environmental problems of today, and we are doing absolutely everything we can to lead this charge of sustainability. As we prepare to kick off our next round of fundraising, we are working harder than ever to ensure that our mission of changing the fashion ecosystem remains intact. With the end goal of making AlgiKnit a ubiquitous mainstay in the fashion industry, our objective is to increase our production capacity and continue to collaborate with partners to develop  innovative and sustainable products.