New Planet Saving Innovations exhibition from The Mills Fabrica showcases cutting-edge sustainable technology

The Mills Fabrica, a specialist in sustainable techstyle and agrifood innovation, has launched a new flagship industry exhibition, Planet Saving Innovations.

This spotlights 10 startups’ technologies to solve fashion’s sustainability challenges and takes place at Fabrica X, the company's innovation gallery and concept store in King’s Cross, London.  

The ventures on display have embraced fungi, natural collagen byproducts, microorganisms and enzymes to replace plastics, chemicals and fossil fuels in the manufacturing of textiles and high performance materials.

These include:

unspun, who will unveil an installation designed by Tom Kendall, paying homage to Vega, with the world’s first 3D weaving technology for apparel. unspun’s proprietary 3D weaving and digital fit technology is pitched as the fastest, cleanest and most cost-efficient way to make woven apparel, with more than 50% emission reductions compared to standard production. 

NFW presenting its new plastic free performance materials and in-market products with Karl Lagerfeld, Ralph Lauren, Pangaia, Bared Footwear, and London-based footwear brand PURIFIED.  

Epoch Biodesign, who will showcase an installation demonstrating its enzyme recycling process for nylon to reduce material waste, designed by Andre Kong, and whose founder, Jacob Nathan, was recently awarded Forbes 30 Under 30 for Europe Social Impact.

The Mills Fabrica focuses on identifying early stage companies that are developing ecological alternatives to traditional textiles, dyes, raw materials, performance wear and manufacturing processes.

Visitors to the exhibition will be able to see first hand the innovative and creative thinking behind the design of the aforementioned new products and understand how they will help to shape the future of sustainability in fashion.  

The exhibition is inspired by The Planetary Boundaries Framework, defining the safe operating space for humanity within Earth's natural systems, and is a call to action in response to our planet’s state of crisis.

It will centre around six planetary priorities and impact themes: climate change, water, land-use, chemicals, waste and microplastics. 

As well as the exhibitors showcasing their innovations at Fabrica X, there will also be a selection of sustainable B2C brands to purchase from, including  zero-waste fashion brand Story Wear and upcycled jewellery retailer Ways Out.

Amy Tsang, Head of Europe at The Mills Fabrica, comments: “We’re excited to welcome visitors to see the pioneering solutions that are not only redefining the future of techstyle and materials, but also have the potential to overcome our planet’s most critical challenge of restoring the Earth’s natural systems.”

Walden Lam, CEO at unspun, says: “"Time is seriously running out to save the planet. The other scaling AND systematic solutions featured in this exhibition are critical pieces to this mission, and we are humbled to be part of this.”

“From day one of us dreaming up 3D weaving, The Mills Fabrica has been fully supportive. Outside of an actual visit to our Oakland micro-factory, the exquisitely curated exhibition at The Mills Fabrica is the next best thing to seeing our dream come to life.”  

The exhibition will be open until 30th September and will be accessible both to the industry and members of the public.

It can be found at: Fabrica X at The Mills Fabrica, 36-40 York Way, London, N1 9AB.