Revolutionary biomaterials
for forward thinkers.
Performance
meets possibility.
Using cutting-edge technology modeled on nature’s own design, Polybion™ grows premium, high-performance biomaterials from fruit waste.
From linear to circular
From leftover to constructive
From old ways to Celium™
We believe biology is the best tool to face our global challenges. We use locally produced agro-industrial fruit waste as raw material to craft forward-thinking biomaterials such as Celium™- Premium Cultivated Cellulose. By manufacturing with the building blocks of life and circularizing supply chains, we produce a superior material while prioritizing our planet.
Natural systems are cyclical; waste becomes nutrients that initiate new growth. By learning from nature, Polybion™ developed a production model that is not linear but a loop, simultaneously alleviating three major environmental problems: livestock, food waste, and plastic. This represents a paradigm shift from centuries of resource-mining practices to the regenerative cultivation of resources. Polybion™ is proud to be leading this charge.
Founded by brothers Axel and Alexis Gómez Ortigoza with Bárbara González Rolón, PhD, Polybion™ is a diverse group of biotechnologists, chemists, biologists, engineers, financiers, creatives, designers, and political scientists. We take inspiration from natural processes and organisms, and we share a common dream to create a better world.
Impact requires scale
Bio innovations and sustainable solutions face a common challenge: scalability.
By 2030, as the consumer class reaches nearly 5 billion, affordability and accessibility become crucial for next-gen materials like Celium™ - Premium Cultivated Cellulose.
In 2022, we reached a pivotal milestone by launching FOAK I, the first-ever bacterial cellulose production facility. Spanning 14,000 sq. ft., it's designed to produce 1.1 million sq. ft. of Celium™ annually.
Our scaling strategy is built on three pillars: volume, consistent quality, and competitive pricing. Unlike other biomaterials, our process uses minimal infrastructure and fruit waste, leveraging existing large-scale fermentation equipment. This not only makes scaling up more feasible but also ensures our technology can be easily adopted worldwide.
During 2024, we're focusing on automating our processes to enhance efficiency, quality, and reduce cycle times.
Where biology meets creativity, the future unfolds.
Celium™
Cel (derived from the word cellulose, the most abundant organic polymer on Earth) + ium (the Latin suffix used in chemical elements)
Celium™- Premium Cultivated Cellulose, is grown by feeding bacteria with agroindustrial fruit waste. A versatile textile with endless design possibilities, it can be customized by color, graining, embossing, and water resistance—all while preserving its exceptional strength.
Celium™ is vegan and organic, and we control the thickness through its growth, making it easy to tailor. Due to its biological nature, each piece of Celium™ is unique and distinct as a fingerprint, lending it the hallmark of luxury.
Nature chose cellulose to structure many of its most precious creations. We’ve captured that wisdom in Celium™.
Technology
We industrialized cellular agriculture to biofabricate Celium™. Combining material science with bioengineering, our technology is scalable, modular, and high yielding.
In cellular agriculture, cells from fungi, bacteria, or mammals consume nutrients in a sterile environment that promotes growth. We grow Celium™ by feeding bacteria with agro-industrial fruit waste. But first, we set up the perfect environment for the cells to self-organize and they create the cellulose structure as a metabolic by-product. Once formed, Celium’s cell-based membrane undergoes a sustainable stabilization process to achieve its high-performance characteristics.
Our production model is EPA, REACH, and ZDHC compliant and concentrated within a 30-mile radius, dramatically reducing our carbon footprint. There is currently enough of the fruit waste we use to produce 168,000,000 square feet of Celium™ annually (and we have identified three other types of local fruit waste equally abundant). With zero hazardous chemicals released in any part of the process, nor significant biomass outputs between growth cycles, Celium™ is as circular as it gets.
A Collaborative Journey with GANNI: Celium™ at Paris Fashion Week
- Published on
- September 26, 2024
Polybion and GANNI join forces at Paris Fashion Week, showcasing Celium™ in five standout looks. This collaboration highlights the future of sustainable fashion through cutting-edge material innovation.
After 1.5 years of collaboration, Polybion and GANNI have taken a significant leap together, debuting Celium™ in five key looks at Ganni’s Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2025. This marks a major milestone in our shared journey toward pushing the boundaries of sustainable fashion.
Our partnership with GANNI began with a shared vision: introducing materials that meet the highest standards of design while respecting the planet. At Polybion, we grow Celium™- Premium Cultivated Cellulose from fruit waste, and GANNI transforms it into bold, forward-thinking fashion pieces.
Over the past year and a half, we’ve worked together on proof of concept tests and applications for Celium™. We also contributed to the 'Future, Talent, Fabrics' exhibition at Copenhagen Fashion Week and created iconic pieces for GANNI’s Autumn/Winter 2024 collection, including a baby pink crop top, a miniskirt, and the Bou Bag. Now, our shared vision has reached new heights, with Celium™ featured in five standout looks in GANNI’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection, presented at the Galerie Haute in the Palais de Tokyo in Paris.
The collection, titled The Craft, is an exploration of contrasts, where modern alchemy and responsible production intersect. GANNI’s Creative Director, Ditte Reffstrup, described the collection as a reflection of empowerment, courage, and connection, with Celium™ featured as one of the innovative materials in the brand’s Fabrics of the Future initiative. The runway highlighted GANNI's fearless approach to embracing next-generation materials, demonstrating how Celium™ blends seamlessly with their bold, vibrant designs.
What excites us most about working with GANNI is their bold leap toward sustainability in an industry known for its environmental challenges. GANNI’s willingness to experiment with new material categories and their commitment to pushing the industry forward towards a more responsible design and consumption model is truly inspiring.
For Polybion, this moment is more than just a milestone—it’s a pivotal step in making next-generation materials a reality on the global stage. Celium™ appearing in Paris Fashion Week is not only a testament to its aesthetic versatility and quality, but also a bold statement about the potential for next-gen materials.
Among the five standout looks in GANNI’s SS25 collection, Celium™ was featured in:
Look 16: Denim Blue Celium™ Small Bou Bag
Look 19: Sky Blue Celium™ Blazer, Belt, and Jorts
Look 22: Sky Blue Celium™ Bou Bag in XXL
Look 24: Sky Blue Celium™ Skirt and Mini Bou Bag
Look 34: Baby Pink Celium™ Vest
The collection embraced GANNI’s signature playful energy while pushing the envelope on responsible materials. The Paris Fashion Week debut was a massive milestone, not only for Polybion but for the entire fashion industry. It marked a shift in how Fabrics of the Future, like Celium™, are gaining visibility and consciousness, demonstrating that these innovations are set to redefine the material world.
Every great product is bold, iconic, and irresistible, and our collaboration with GANNI exemplifies just that. Celium™ redefines luxury by aligning performance and elegance with a genuine respect for the planet.
As we continue this journey with GANNI, we look forward to seeing how Celium™ evolves in the world of fashion, inspiring more brands to embrace the future of materials and join us in making sustainability a golden standard.