Ambercycle
Ambercycle is a Los Angeles-based material science company that converts end-of-life textiles into virgin-grade regenerated polyester (cycora®) via proprietary molecular regeneration, selling exclusively to enterprise apparel and outdoor brands through multi-year offtake agreements.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Ambercycle does
Ambercycle is a Los Angeles-based material science company founded in 2015 that converts end-of-life textiles into virgin-grade regenerated polyester sold under the cycora® brand. Its proprietary molecular regeneration technology is a four-stage chemical process — preprocessing, separation, purification, and recovery — that breaks down post-consumer and post-industrial textile waste at the molecular level, removes dyes and additives, and reconstitutes the material into virgin-equivalent polyester pellets. Independent testing by CETI confirms cycora® meets virgin-material spinnability standards and produces less than half the CO2 emissions of virgin polyester.
The company operates a B2B enterprise model, selling cycora® exclusively to large apparel, outdoor, and performance brands through multi-year offtake agreements rather than direct-to-consumer channels. Pricing is quote-based and negotiated contractually; revenue is not publicly disclosed. Customer relationships are deeply integrated — Inditex committed over €70M across three years (starting 2025), GANNI signed a four-year deal to replace 20%+ of annual polyester usage, and REI, Gap/Athleta, Reformation, and Arc'teryx have committed to integration in 2025-2026. Upstream execution is supported by a network of fiber and yarn manufacturing partners (Shinkong, Hyosung TNC, BHF, Benma, Huilong, Highsun, Shenghong) that convert cycora® pellets into finished yarns and fabrics for brand supply chains.
Ambercycle is venture-backed (Series A led by H&M CO:LAB, Temasek, and KIRKBI in January 2022, plus corporate capital from Far Eastern Group's DRIVE Catalyst, Shinkong, and Goldwin) and is currently building its first commercial-scale textile regeneration facility in Los Angeles. The company has signaled expansion beyond apparel into automotive and electronics verticals, and is expanding its geographic footprint into Japan and Europe while expanding its executive team across production, sales, R&D, and brand functions.
Ambercycle firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ambercycle
- Legal name
- Ambercycle, Inc.
- Website
- https://ambercycle.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Ambercycle is a Los Angeles-based material science company that converts end-of-life textiles into virgin-grade regenerated polyester (cycora®) via proprietary molecular regeneration, selling exclusively to enterprise apparel and outdoor brands through multi-year offtake agreements.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Ambercycle is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Ambercycle business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Material Sales (cycora®): Ambercycle generates revenue through the sale of cycora® regenerated polyester material to fashion brands. The company secures multi-year offtake agreements (typically 3-year terms) that guarantee purchase volumes and provide upfront capital for commercial facility construction. Revenue flows from the sale of regenerated polyester pellets, yarns, and fabrics to brand partners.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Multi-year contract | Enterprise material supply contracts |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Ambercycle product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ambercycle manufactures and sells cycora®, a premium regenerated polyester produced entirely from end-of-life textiles through proprietary molecular regeneration technology. The company supplies cycora® pellets, yarns, and fabrics to apparel brands and manufacturers, enabling them to replace virgin polyester with a circular alternative that matches virgin material quality at less than half the CO2 emissions. cycora® is sold via multi-year offtake agreements to fashion, outdoor, and performance apparel brands globally.
Product overview
Ambercycle operates as a material science company offering a single unified technology platform centered on molecular regeneration. The core product is cycora®, a premium regenerated polyester made entirely from end-of-life textiles. The molecular regeneration technology platform consists of a four-step process (preprocessing, separation, purification, and recovery) that transforms textile waste into virgin-grade polyester pellets. cycora® serves as the primary commercial output, designed to replace conventional virgin polyester in fashion, automotive, and electronics applications. The company positions itself as 'the ecosystem for circular textiles,' enabling brands and manufacturers to integrate circular materials into existing supply chains through partnerships with fiber producers, mills, and global manufacturing facilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- cycora® cycora® is a premium regenerated polyester made entirely from end-of-life textiles using Ambercycle's molecular regeneration technology. It offers the same strength and versatility as virgin polyester at less than half the CO2 emissions, and is supplied as pellets, yarns, and fabrics to fashion, outdoor, performance apparel brands, and adjacent industries including automotive and electronics. Independent CETI testing confirms it meets virgin material spinnability standards.
Quantifiable outcome
- cycora® generates less than half the CO2 emissions of virgin polyester production
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Ambercycle
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Ambercycle technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Ambercycle partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- BHFcoreBHF, a leading global specialty polyester fiber manufacturer in China, partnered with Ambercycle to scale production of specialty polyester tops made with cycora® for global apparel brands. BHF's global manufacturing capabilities make cycora® accessible to brands seeking scalable circular solutions.
- REI Co-opcoreREI and Ambercycle announced a three-year offtake agreement for cycora® regenerated polyester to decarbonize outdoor apparel. The agreement establishes phased pathway for cycora® integration at REI Co-op Brands, supporting REI's goal of 100% recycled polyester by 2030. REI has over 25 million members.
- Highsun Holding Group (HSCC)majorStrategic cooperation to scale textile-to-textile closed-loop recycling systems. Partnership focuses on joint recycling fiber market development, end-of-life textile feedstock sourcing, and establishing industry-wide standards for circular materials.
- Huilong (Zhejiang Huilong New Materials)majorPartnership to accelerate adoption and commercialization of sustainable circular textile materials. Huilong, a leader in dope dyed polyester yarn, is integrating next-generation circular materials into its portfolio.
- GANNIcoreGANNI signed a four-year offtake agreement to secure access to cycora®, committing to replace over 20% of annual virgin and bottle recycled polyester usage with Ambercycle's circular alternative. Partnership began in 2021 with initial launches; featured at Paris Fashion Week 2025.
- Benma GroupcorePartnership to scale production of cycora® staple fibers leveraging Benma's manufacturing infrastructure. Benma directly invested in Ambercycle's technology scale-up. Benma is the world's leading brand of low-carbon life and sustainable development solutions.
- ShenghongmajorStrategic partnership to scale circular yarns for global apparel brands. Partnership expands cycora® production capacity and market reach.
- Arc'teryxcoreStrategic partnership with Canadian high-performance outdoor brand Arc'teryx to drive material innovation. Beginning 2026, Arc'teryx will utilize cycora® regenerated materials as part of broader circularity efforts supporting their Net Zero 2050 commitment.
- ReformationcoreAmbercycle and Reformation launched partnership integrating cycora® into select pieces of Reformation's collection. This supports Reformation's goal to become circular by 2030, using as little virgin material as possible and creating as little waste as possible.
- Hyosung TNCmajorPartnership to scale decarbonized, circular polyester. Hyosung TNC is a leading global polyester manufacturer joining forces with Ambercycle to expand circular material supply chain capabilities.
- MAS HoldingsmajorMAS Holdings, a major apparel manufacturer, signed a three-year offtake agreement for circular polyester from Ambercycle. Partnership supports MAS's sustainability initiatives and circular textile goals.
- Gap Inc. (Athleta)coreGap Inc. and Ambercycle announced efforts to leverage textile-to-textile recycled materials in Athleta products. Starting 2026, Athleta plans to become the first performance apparel brand to use cycora® at scale. Athleta is a Certified B Corporation.
- Inditex (Zara)coreInditex signed a three-year agreement to purchase over €70 million of cycora® regenerated polyester. This purchase commitment supports construction of Ambercycle's first commercial-scale facility. Zara Athleticz launched a capsule collection with up to 50% cycora® content. Inditex aims for 25% of textile fibers from next-generation materials by 2030.
- Shinkong Synthetic Fibers CorporationcoreStrategic partnership to accelerate production of high-quality performance yarns using cycora® material. Partners exploring construction and operation of commercial-scale manufacturing facility. Shinkong invested $10M in Ambercycle's first commercial plant (August 2024).
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Ambercycle competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Protein Evolution: Recycles textile waste into regenerated fiber and resin inputs using enzymatic processes; comparable emerging textile-to-textile recycler pursuing similar circular polyester markets.
- Samsara Eco: Australian enzymatic recycling startup focused on infinite recycling of plastics including PET into virgin-quality materials; emerging player targeting apparel-grade recycled polyester.
Direct peers
- Worn Again Technologies: UK-based chemical recycler focused on textile-to-textile recovery of polyester and cellulose from end-of-life clothing; directly competes with Ambercycle in supplying regenerated raw materials to apparel brands.
- Circ: Circ is a direct competitor using chemical recycling (hydrothermal process) to separate and recover polyester and cellulose from blended textile waste, producing virgin-quality raw materials for apparel brands.
- Re&Up (Aquafil): Aquafil's Re&Up unit produces regenerated nylon and polyester from textile waste for apparel brands; competes head-to-head with Ambercycle in supplying circular synthetic fibers to fashion.
Broad incumbents
- Indorama Ventures: World's largest PET producer with significant rPET capacity from bottle-to-fiber recycling; broad incumbent competing for apparel-brand recycled polyester contracts, including bottle-derived rPET alternatives to textile-to-textile.
- Eastman: Global specialty materials incumbent operating chemical recycling (carbon renewal technology) producing recycled PET for apparel and packaging; competes in regenerated polyester supply with broader portfolio and scale.
- Shinkong Synthetic Fibers: Leading Taiwanese polyester manufacturer and Ambercycle strategic partner/investor with internal recycling and fiber production; comparable in supplying specialty polyester for apparel, with broader product portfolio.
- Far Eastern Group: Major virgin and recycled polyester producer (parent of DRIVE Catalyst, an Ambercycle investor) with internal recycling capabilities and rPET fiber production; broad incumbent overlapping in circular polyester supply.
Regional players
- BHF (Billion Hua Fiber): Leading Chinese specialty polyester fiber manufacturer partnering with Ambercycle to scale cycora®-based products; comparable as a polyester producer in the circular materials supply chain, primarily serving China-based production for global brands.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Ambercycle social profiles
Digital presenceAmbercycle financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ambercycle leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Ambercycle funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds7 records
Investors10 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ambercycle M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ambercycle
What does Ambercycle do?
Ambercycle manufactures and sells cycora®, a premium regenerated polyester produced entirely from end-of-life textiles through proprietary molecular regeneration technology. The company supplies cycora® pellets, yarns, and fabrics to apparel brands and manufacturers, enabling them to replace virgin polyester with a circular alternative that matches virgin material quality at less than half the CO2 emissions. cycora® is sold via multi-year offtake agreements to fashion, outdoor, and performance apparel brands globally.
Is Ambercycle a public or private company?
Ambercycle is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Ambercycle founded?
Ambercycle was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Ambercycle based?
Ambercycle is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ambercycle make money?
One revenue line is on record: material Sales (cycora®).
Who are Ambercycle's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Protein Evolution and Samsara Eco. Direct peers are Worn Again Technologies, Circ and Re&Up (Aquafil). Broad incumbents are Indorama Ventures, Eastman, Shinkong Synthetic Fibers and Far Eastern Group. BHF (Billion Hua Fiber) is listed as a regional player.
Does Ambercycle have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ambercycle.