Consortium
The Fabulose consortium brings together 10 partners from 6 countries, spanning the entire value chain, from research to real-world applications. By combining industrial pioneers, leading research institutions and innovation specialists, we drive the development of sustainable, circular and bio-based materials, redefining what vegan leather alternatives can be.
Deutsche Institute für Textil- Und Faserforschung Denkendorf (DITF) - Germany
About DITF
DITF is Europe’s largest textile research centre, with extensive experience in industrial projects and services for the textile sector. Their expertise spans the entire fiber and textile value chain, from (bio)polymer synthesis and fiber extrusion to textile processing, finishing, coating, and final product development, at both lab and pre-industrial scale.
Role in Fabulose
DITF, coordinator of the Fabulose consortium, is playing a central and multifaceted role. The institute contributes its HighPerCell® technology for producing bacterial cellulose filaments, along with deep expertise in woven, non-woven, and knitted textiles, coating development, and chemical textile recycling processes. DITF also leads efforts in biodegradability assessment, environmental life cycle analysis, and the implementation of digital tools, ensuring that the materials and processes developed in fabulose are sustainable, efficient, and scalable.
Website: https://www.ditf.de/en/index/ditf/
Melina Bucher (MB) - Germany
About MB
MB is a German start-up designing and manufacturing leather goods. Since 2019, the company has focused on R&D in biobased materials, achieving major milestones such as creating the world’s first handbag using MIRUM, a 100% plastic-free, biobased vegan leather, in 2022. This innovation won the German Sustainability Award in Design and the PETA Vegan Fashion Award. MB has explored circularity and sustainable materials through the EU Fashion For Change and WORTH II programs and launched a fully biobased bag in 2024.
Role in Fabulose
MB brings over 10 years of experience in material science, accessory design, and leather craftsmanship. They specialize in pattern making, prototyping, and working with new materials, collaborating with European manufacturers and testing technical material requirements like flex, abrasion resistance, and color fastness. In Fabulose, they lead market definition, material validation, and prototyping of end products, contributing valuable market insights and industry contacts in the leather goods and footwear sectors.
Website: https://melinabucher.com
Steinbeis Europa Zentrum (S2i) - Germany
About S2i
S2i supports companies, universities and research organisations in accessing EU funding and implementing cross-border projects. S2i specialises in the communication and dissemination of research and innovation projects, as well as the design and implementation of exploitation strategies and the management of intellectual property rights (IPR).
In the pHYBi project, SEZ is leading the communication, dissemination and exploitation activities (WP6) with a.
Role in Fabulose
Within Fabulose, S2i leads communication, dissemination, and exploitation activities as well as supporting overall project management. The team places a strong emphasis on stakeholder engagement, guided by social innovation principles. This includes conducting stakeholder analyses and organising co-creation workshops to identify socio-economic needs and the factors influencing the adoption of Fabulose solutions.
Vienna Textile Lab (VTL) - Austria
About VTL
VTL is an innovative start-up developing microbial textile dyes and pigments derived from microorganisms found in aquatic and soil environments. With a strong R&D foundation in biology, chemistry, and textile technology, VTL transforms naturally produced colour molecules from bacteria and fungi into eco-friendly, high-performance dyes. Using advanced organic and analytical chemistry, the team isolates, refines, and applies these pigments to various materials, setting new standards for the future of sustainable textile coloration.
Role in Fabulose
Within Fabulose, VTL contributes its expertise in bacterial pigment and dye production, focusing on developing and optimizing microbial colourants and cost-efficient dyeing processes to support the creation of biobased, sustainable leather alternatives.
Website: https://www.viennatextilelab.at/
University of Aveiro (UAveiro) — Portugal
About UAveiro
The Research Group “Environmental Changes, Hazards & Conservation” at UAveiro has strong expertise in human health impacts, from chemical contamination to extreme natural events. They also study biodiversity and ecosystem functions, from genetic to landscape scales, in both lab and field settings.
Role in Fabulose
Within Fabulose, UAveiro brings toxicology expertise and evaluates environmental and human health hazards of raw materials and leather alternatives. They are responsible for the toxicological and hazard assessment of chemicals, materials, and products, ensuring the project develops safe, sustainable, and eco-friendly solutions.
Website: https://www.ua.pt/en/
BENECKE-KALIKO AG (BK AG) - Germany
About BK AG
BK AG is a global leader in surface materials, providing innovative and design-oriented solutions across industries such as automotive, furniture, and construction. Known for its skai® brand, the company combines advanced material science with sustainable production processes. With decades of experience, BK AG integrates eco-friendly and biobased solutions into its products and operations, supported by robust R&D and certified sustainability management systems.
Role in Fabulose
Within Fabulose, BK AG leads the development and validation of sustainable, biobased artificial leather alternatives. Their work focuses on coating formulation and application using techniques like casting, extrusion, and calendering, as well as scaling up roll-to-roll production. BK AG ensures that the resulting materials meet market standards for durability, sustainability, and biodegradability, bringing valuable expertise and industry contacts in upholstery and automotive sectors.
Website https://www.continental-industry.com/en/solutions/surface-materials
University of Maribor (UM) – Slovenia
About UM
UM is Slovenia’s second-largest university, dedicated to academic excellence and advancing knowledge through research. In Fabulose, UM is represented by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, bringing expertise in processing and characterizing (bio)polymer-based materials for applications such as scaffolds, membranes, and nanocomposites. The team specialises in fiber and polymer chemistry, with a strong focus on renewable and sustainable materials, and has been actively researching bacterial nanocellulose production from food waste within European networks since 2016.
Role in Fabulose
Within Fabulose, UM contributes its expertise in bacterial cellulose production from food waste streams and the modification of bacterial dispersions for enhanced performance. The team also develops and upscales processes to provide water-dispersible bacterial nanocellulose suitable for coatings, supporting the project’s sustainable material innovations.
Website: https://www.um.si/en/home-page/
Next Technology Tecnotessile Societa Nazionale (NTT) - Italy
About NTT: NTT is a private research organisation and a pivotal hub in Italy’s textile sector, connecting research with industry. NTT works to improve technological innovation and the competitiveness of companies, participating in R&D and technology transfer projects at national and European levels. Their focus areas include the circular economy, sustainable textiles, Industry 4.0, chemistry, and nanotechnology.
Role in Fabulose: In Fabulose, they drive circular design and perform techno-economic and social Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), ensuring materials are sustainable, viable, and socially responsible. Their expertise in textile recycling and impact assessment makes them a key partner in shaping the future of sustainable textiles.
Sumatrix Biotechnology LLC (Sumatrix) - Turkey
About Sumatrix
Founded at Marmara University Technopark, Sumatrix Biotechnology is a fermentation expert specialising in the production and development of next-generation biomaterials. Combining nanotechnology, biotechnology, and AI-supported process monitoring, Sumatrix optimises bacterial cellulose production to achieve high-yield, high-performance biobased materials. The company’s innovative approach advances sustainable material development while ensuring scalability and process efficiency.
Role in Fabulose
Within Fabulose, Sumatrix develops and upscales bacterial nanocellulose processes for fibre spinning and textile backings, contributing to the project’s mission of developing next-generation biobased materials.
Website: https://sumatrixbiotech.com/
Novis GmbH (Novis) - Germany
About Novis
Novis is an innovative company that focuses on consulting and planning waste substrate processing, R&D for novel processes, and implementation of large industrial facilities, including biogas plants. With expertise in fermentation technologies, Novis develops and optimizes processes that convert waste into valuable products. The company has also gained experience in GMO algae cultivation for PHB production and owns an advanced bioreactor design for photosynthetic cyanobacteria, improving the productivity of cyanophycin.
Role in Fabulose
Within Fabulose, Novis applies its expertise to develop and upscale the cyanophycin fermentation process for use in coating applications.
Website: https://www.novis.me/
About DITF: DITF is Europe’s largest textile research centre, with extensive experience in industrial projects and services for the textile sector. Their expertise spans the entire fiber and textile value chain, from (bio)polymer synthesis and fiber extrusion to textile processing, finishing, coating, and final product development, at both lab and pre-industrial scale.
Role in Fabulose
DITF, coordinator of the Fabulose consortium, is playing a central and multifaceted role. The institute contributes its HighPerCell® technology for producing bacterial cellulose filaments, along with deep expertise in woven, non-woven, and knitted textiles, coating development, and chemical textile recycling processes. DITF also leads efforts in biodegradability assessment, environmental life cycle analysis, and the implementation of digital tools, ensuring that the materials and processes developed in fabulose are sustainable, efficient, and scalable.
Website: https://www.ditf.de/en/index/ditf/
About NTT: NTT is a private research organisation and a pivotal hub in Italy’s textile sector, connecting research with industry. NTT works to improve technological innovation and the competitiveness of companies, participating in R&D and technology transfer projects at national and European levels. Their focus areas include the circular economy, sustainable textiles, Industry 4.0, chemistry, and nanotechnology.
Role in Fabulose: In Fabulose, they drive circular design and perform techno-economic and social Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), ensuring materials are sustainable, viable, and socially responsible. Their expertise in textile recycling and impact assessment makes them a key partner in shaping the future of sustainable textiles.
About UM: UM is Slovenia’s second-largest university, dedicated to academic excellence and advancing knowledge through research. In Fabulose, UM is represented by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, bringing expertise in processing and characterizing (bio)polymer-based materials for applications such as scaffolds, membranes, and nanocomposites. The team specialises in fiber and polymer chemistry, with a strong focus on renewable and sustainable materials, and has been actively researching bacterial nanocellulose production from food waste within European networks since 2016.
Role in Fabulose
Within Fabulose, UM contributes its expertise in bacterial cellulose production from food waste streams and the modification of bacterial dispersions for enhanced performance. The team also develops and upscales processes to provide water-dispersible bacterial nanocellulose suitable for coatings, supporting the project’s sustainable material innovations.
Website: https://www.um.si/en/home-page/
About UAveiro: The Research Group “Environmental Changes, Hazards & Conservation” at UAveiro has strong expertise in human health impacts, from chemical contamination to extreme natural events. They also study biodiversity and ecosystem functions, from genetic to landscape scales, in both lab and field settings.
Role in Fabulose
Within Fabulose, UAveiro brings toxicology expertise and evaluates environmental and human health hazards of raw materials and leather alternatives. They are responsible for the toxicological and hazard assessment of chemicals, materials, and products, ensuring the project develops safe, sustainable, and eco-friendly solutions.
Website: https://www.ua.pt/en/
About MB: MB is a German start-up designing and manufacturing leather goods. Since 2019, the company has focused on R&D in biobased materials, achieving major milestones such as creating the world’s first handbag using MIRUM, a 100% plastic-free, biobased vegan leather, in 2022. This innovation won the German Sustainability Award in Design and the PETA Vegan Fashion Award. MB has explored circularity and sustainable materials through the EU Fashion For Change and WORTH II programs and launched a fully biobased bag in 2024.
Role in Fabulose: MB brings over 10 years of experience in material science, accessory design, and leather craftsmanship. They specialize in pattern making, prototyping, and working with new materials, collaborating with European manufacturers and testing technical material requirements like flex, abrasion resistance, and color fastness. In Fabulose, they lead market definition, material validation, and prototyping of end products, contributing valuable market insights and industry contacts in the leather goods and footwear sectors.
Website: https://melinabucher.com
About BK AG: BK AG is a global leader in surface materials, providing innovative and design-oriented solutions across industries such as automotive, furniture, and construction. Known for its skai® brand, the company combines advanced material science with sustainable production processes. With decades of experience, BK AG integrates eco-friendly and biobased solutions into its products and operations, supported by robust R&D and certified sustainability management systems.
Role in Fabulose: Within Fabulose, BK AG leads the development and validation of sustainable, biobased artificial leather alternatives. Their work focuses on coating formulation and application using techniques like casting, extrusion, and calendering, as well as scaling up roll-to-roll production. BK AG ensures that the resulting materials meet market standards for durability, sustainability, and biodegradability, bringing valuable expertise and industry contacts in upholstery and automotive sectors.
Website https://www.continental-industry.com/en/solutions/surface-materials
About Novis: Novis is an innovative company that focuses on consulting and planning waste substrate processing, R&D for novel processes, and implementation of large industrial facilities, including biogas plants. With expertise in fermentation technologies, Novis develops and optimizes processes that convert waste into valuable products. The company has also gained experience in GMO algae cultivation for PHB production and owns an advanced bioreactor design for photosynthetic cyanobacteria, improving the productivity of cyanophycin.
Role in Fabulose: Within Fabulose, Novis applies its expertise to develop and upscale the cyanophycin fermentation process for use in coating applications.
Website: https://www.novis.me/
About VTL: VTL is an innovative start-up developing microbial textile dyes and pigments derived from microorganisms found in aquatic and soil environments. With a strong R&D foundation in biology, chemistry, and textile technology, VTL transforms naturally produced colour molecules from bacteria and fungi into eco-friendly, high-performance dyes. Using advanced organic and analytical chemistry, the team isolates, refines, and applies these pigments to various materials, setting new standards for the future of sustainable textile coloration.
Role in Fabulose: Within Fabulose, VTL contributes its expertise in bacterial pigment and dye production, focusing on developing and optimizing microbial colourants and cost-efficient dyeing processes to support the creation of biobased, sustainable leather alternatives.
Website: https://www.viennatextilelab.at/
About Sumatrix: Founded at Marmara University Technopark, Sumatrix Biotechnology is a fermentation expert specialising in the production and development of next-generation biomaterials. Combining nanotechnology, biotechnology, and AI-supported process monitoring, Sumatrix optimises bacterial cellulose production to achieve high-yield, high-performance biobased materials. The company’s innovative approach advances sustainable material development while ensuring scalability and process efficiency.
Role in Fabulose: Within Fabulose, Sumatrix develops and upscales bacterial nanocellulose processes for fibre spinning and textile backings, contributing to the project’s mission of developing next-generation biobased materials.
Website: https://sumatrixbiotech.com/
About S2i: S2i supports companies, universities and research organisations in accessing EU funding and implementing cross-border projects. S2i specialises in the communication and dissemination of research and innovation projects, as well as the design and implementation of exploitation strategies and the management of intellectual property rights (IPR).
In the pHYBi project, SEZ is leading the communication, dissemination and exploitation activities (WP6) with a.
Role in Fabulose: Within Fabulose, S2i leads communication, dissemination, and exploitation activities as well as supporting overall project management. The team places a strong emphasis on stakeholder engagement, guided by social innovation principles. This includes conducting stakeholder analyses and organising co-creation workshops to identify socio-economic needs and the factors influencing the adoption of Fabulose solutions.
