Paradise textiles and Nanollose sign exclusive R&D deal

• July 09, 2024

Paradise Textiles, the material science hub of Alpine Group, has signed a deal with leading biotechnology company, Nanollose (ASX:NC6) for the exclusive supply of its sustainable Nullarbor™ fibres. 

Under the non-binding term sheet for the joint venture agreement, Paradise will work closely with Nanollose, undertaking research and development (R&D) to manufacture yarns and fabrics from cutting-edge Nullarbor™ fibres. They will also supply samples to bolster customer engagement, working closely with Nanollose to promote the Nullarbor™ brand and its fibres and fabrics to prospective clients.

Paradise Textiles is the dedicated technology-first innovation hub of Alpine Group, driving cutting-edge research and innovation on sustainable materials, performance, and advanced manufacturing to reinvent the fabric of fashion. 

Nullarbor™ fibres are eco-friendly, tree-free fibres produced through a microbial fermentation process that converts waste products into microbial cellulose, using minimal land, water, and energy. The microbial cellulose is then transformed into Nullarbor™ fibres using Nanollose technology, offering a viable alternative to conventional plant-derived cellulose fibres.

The partnership between Paradise and Nanollose represents the next phase in their ongoing collaboration to commercialise scalable technology to create fibres and fabrics with minimal environmental impact. Since May 2022, they have gained experience developing and presenting high-quality fabric constructions to select fashion and footwear brands.

Ashok Mahtani, Co-Chairman of Alpine Group, said, "We are proud to announce the successful pilot production of next-generation fabrics utilizing Nullarbor pulp. This achievement signifies Paradise Textiles’ ongoing commitment to innovation in fabric development and collaborative partnerships. Nullarbor fibre's unique properties and production process will enable us to offer our customers high-performance, sustainable textile solutions. We are confident that this partnership will drive significant advancements in the textile industry and help towards achieving our goal of making fashion fit for the future.”

 Commenting, Nanollose Executive Chairman, Dr Wayne Best said, “I'm delighted to see this collaboration begin to formalise in a way that establishes a framework for both companies to achieve a commercial outcome. The relationship has been growing organically for some time and we’ve been delighted with the enthusiasm Paradise Textiles has displayed for our technology and fibres. Their expertise, commitment to sustainability and innovation, and customer base is a natural fit for our Nullarbor fibre technology. It’s proven to be a strong working relationship to-date and I look forward to the joint pursuit of our commercial goals through this strategic Joint Venture agreement.”

Paradise Textiles is the dedicated innovation hub of Alpine Group, driving cutting-edge research and innovation on sustainable materials, performance, and advanced manufacturing to reinvent the fabric of fashion.

Simultaneously a creative problem-solving enterprise and a trendsetting laboratory that taps into a wider network of technologists, scientists, and partners throughout the world, Paradise Textiles consistently sets the agenda and leads industry exploration into game-changing materials, textiles, and processes that anticipate emerging consumer needs.

Alpine Group is advancing the future of fashion as a progressive, trusted partner to the world’s leading brands, co-creating new, sustainable possibilities for products, people, and the planet.

With over 40 years of mastery in textiles and apparel, Alpine Group combines data-driven innovation, state-of-the-art technology, and industry-leading capabilities to chart the way forward in revolutionizing the fashion lifecycle. The group brings to market consciously crafted, award-winning materials with agility, while elevating standards of ethical sourcing and production to empower over 10,000 team members and strengthen communities worldwide.

As a globally connected, end-to-end fashion delivery platform that runs from fibre to fashion, Alpine Group has helped drive business success with renowned brands that include The North Face, Sweaty Betty, American Eagle Outfitters, Under Armour and GAP Inc.

Founded by Ashok Mahtani and Lalu Mahtani who combine their decades of expertise in material innovation and apparel manufacturing, Alpine Group has evolved from a family business into a pioneering global enterprise that is setting new benchmarks for the future of fashion.

Nanollose Limited (ASX: NC6) is a leading biomaterials company commercialising scalable technology to create fibres, fabrics and other novel materials with minimal environmental impact. Nanollose’s, eco-friendly fermentation process can use agricultural waste and by-products to produce cellulose, a versatile raw material traditionally produced from trees via the wood pulping process. The company then uses this ‘Tree-Free’ cellulose as an input for its range of innovative biomaterials including its Nullarbor™ fibres, Biollose™ horticultural medium, and its emerging animal-free and plastic-free leather-like materials.

Nanollose filed a joint patent application with strategic partner, Birla Cellulose, for its high tenacity, Tree-Free Nullarbor lyocell fibre in 2021. Work has now moved out of the laboratory and into Birla Cellulose’s pilot production facilities in India where we have completed three successful pilot production runs to date totalling over a tonne of fibre, 800kg of Nullarbor-20TM, 150kg of Nullarbor- 30TM, and 100kg of Nufolium-20TM. Quantities of these fibres have since been sent to several collaborators and been converted into yarns, fabrics, and garments for testing and evaluation, prior to potential uptake by partners.