Werewool

Werewool has designed an innovative fibre development platform that uses biotechnology to create natural biodegradable fibres, which are high-performance and aesthetic. Their aim is to reduce textile waste and promote environmental sustainability.

The impact of the fashion and textile industry on the environment is currently harmful due to the use of chemicals and toxic dyes. End products like polyester are not easily biodegradable and pollute landfills and oceans. The raw materials used are also heavily dependent on water and land resources.

As a solution, Werewool uses advanced biotechnology tools to develop biodegradable protein fibres at the DNA level, from low-impact protein sources like oyster shells, coral and jellyfish. The organism is not harmed in any way. The fabrics produced are eco-friendly, compostable and sustainable, with a circular life cycle. To lend the fabrics natural colours, flexibility, and moisture management power, Werewool uses the relevant organism’s inherent properties. So, by protecting biodiversity and lowering microplastic pollution, Werewool is fighting climate change.

Werewool’s fibres come with natural colour, glow, and fluorescence, thus reducing the dependence of the textile industry on artificial dyes and chemicals. Its fibres can be returned to the earth as nutrients after they have been used.

Werewool has been recognized as one of the winners of the H&M Foundation’s Global Change Award 2020, and received prize money worth €250,000. It was also one of the finalists for The Ray of Hope Prize Competition 2020 and the Biomimicry Global Design Challenge 2019. Werewool was a finalist at the Stella McCartney and PETA Animal Free Wool Prize 2018 and was felicitated at Biodesign Challenge 2018 and Genspace Scholars.

The fibres are currently in the research stage and a prototype garment made of them might be available in 3 years. Werewool’s research collaborators include the Columbia University and Binomica Labs. The fashion and textile industry will be the primary target group for Werewool.