Everybody in the Pool E110: Simplifyber and a plastic-free textiles future
Nov 6, 2025
Maria Intscher-Owrang, CEO and co-founder of Simplifyber, dives into revolutionizing textiles by using plant cellulose for 3D-molded parts, eliminating plastic dependency. She explains how complex production steps are simplified, drastically reducing environmental impact—up to 30 times less for shoe uppers. Maria also discusses scalability advantages of compression molding, partnerships with GANNI and Kia, and the potential for localized supply chains. Her vision extends to reshaping labor dynamics in the fashion industry, enhancing the value of artisanal work.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
One-Step Supply-Chain Shift
- Simplifyber replaces multiple supply-chain steps with one molding step to reduce markups and logistics.
- Starting with raw cellulose lets them avoid amplified costs from traditional textile supply chains.
How The Slurry Molding Works
- The process mixes diverse cellulose fibers into a water-based slurry with additives, then molds and compresses into 3D parts.
- It supports many inputs (recycled, mixed fibers) and tuneable properties like flexibility and degradation rate.
Kitchen Experiments To Lab Prototypes
- The team began with kitchen experiments using cotton fibers and saved dryer lint to test feasibility.
- They validated the idea in a university lab, then built a dedicated R&D lab in Raleigh.