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.

Vogue UK Exclusive: The Future of Fashion with Polybion and Ganni

  • Published on
  • January 31, 2024

Celium™ by Polybion, spotlighted in Vogue UK's exclusive feature, embodies fashion's sustainable future, marrying innovation with Ganni's designs.

We are honored to announce Polybion's feature in Vogue UK, an exclusive interview led by the talented Emily Chan. In this insightful piece, the collaboration between Polybion and Ganni is brought into the spotlight, showcasing our collaboration in pushing the boundaries of sustainable fashion.

In the Vogue UK piece, Celium™ by Polybion emerges as more than just an alternative material. Its unique biological nature represents a new material category, self-defined by its distinct qualities and impact. This Premium Cultivated Cellulose showcases the evolution of fashion materials, emphasizing a move towards the recognition of such innovations for their inherent properties, rather than mere substitutes.

Our collaboration with Ganni has been an exhilarating journey, leading to the creation of extraordinary pieces for their Autumn/Winter 2024 collection, including a baby pink crop top, a miniskirt, and the iconic Bou bag - all elegantly designed using our Premium Cultivated Cellulose, Celium™ in look #17.

“Our collaboration with Ganni has been an exhilarating journey, leading to the creation of iconic pieces for their Autumn/Winter 2024 collection.”

Emily Chan delves into the minds of Polybion's and Ganni's founders, exploring their shared vision and the innovative process behind the collaboration and Celium™. This material, birthed from our dedication to merging creativity with biology and Ganni's flair for design, represents a significant step forward in fashion's sustainable evolution.

The interview captures the essence of our collaboration - a harmonious blend of creativity and environmental consciousness. Ganni's commitment to embracing innovative materials for what they truly are is a bold statement in the fashion industry, aligning perfectly with our values at Polybion.

Celium™ by Polybion emerges as more than just an alternative material emphasizing its distinct qualities and impact”

We invite you to read the full article on Vogue UK's website to discover more about this groundbreaking collaboration. 

Stay tuned for the official launch of Ganni's commercial products made with Celium™ this autumn. Together, with partners like Ganni, we are crafting a future where fashion and sustainability coexist beautifully.

“Stay tuned for the official launch of Ganni's commercial products made with Celium™ this autumn.”

Picture Credits: VOGUE UK; Moon_International