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.
Celium™ Blazer by GANNI Lab and Polybion at the "INVISIBLES. La vie cachée des microbes" Exhibition
- Published on
- June 28, 2024
Discover the trailblazer Celium™ Blazer at the "INVISIBLES. La vie cachée des microbes" exhibition.
Familiar to many, the iconic Celium™ Blazer from Polybion and GANNI Lab, will be showcased at the "INVISIBLES. La vie cachée des microbes" exhibition at Musée de la Main in Lausanne, Switzerland. The exhibition, running from June 27, 2024, to January 4, 2026, explores the crucial role of microorganisms in our environment and health.
The unique and forward-thinking Blazer, crafted from Celium™ Premium Cultivated Cellulose derived from bacterial processes, exemplifies the potential of sustainable fashion. This collaboration with GANNI Lab aligns with GANNI’s commitment to phasing out virgin leather in favor of more sustainable materials. Through our participation in this exhibition, we aim to demonstrate how cutting-edge scientific innovations and fashion can intersect to push the boundaries of eco-conscious apparel.
The exhibition itself provides an insightful look into the world of microbiomes, illustrating the indispensable yet often overlooked role these microorganisms play in maintaining ecological and biological balances. It's a unique opportunity for the public to gain a deeper understanding of these invisible life forms that are so vital to us and to our planet's health.
At Polybion, we harness the power of these microorganisms to cultivate Celium™ from agro-industrial fruit waste. This process not only showcases the innovative potential of microbiomes in creating sustainable fabrics but also highlights a significant step towards a future where fashion is both stylish, environmentally responsible and biology driven.
Explore a fascinating and little-known world: that of the microorganisms that surround us. Omnipresent yet invisible, microbes form communities essential to the functioning of all biological systems on our planet. From soils to oceans, from the air to plants, and even the human body, the exhibition invites you to discover this vast unknown realm that is sure to surprise you.
We look forward to welcoming you to the exhibition and exploring the future of sustainable fashion together.