Keel Labs

Name

Keel Labs

Legal name

Keel Labs

Website

https://keellabs.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Bio-Based Textile Fibers

NAICS

Fiber, Yarn, and Thread Mills (313110), Nonwoven Fabric Mills (31323)

SIC

Pulp Mills (2611), Knitting Mills (2250)

akta.pro primary industry

Bio-based Textiles & Fibers (lyocell/viscose, cellulose filament, nonwovens) (IMAMALAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bio-based Materials & Fibers (e.g., cellulose derivatives, lignin-based materials, nanocellulose) (EUAAAIAD), Cellulose-Based Biodegradable Materials (cellulose films, fibers, derivatives) (IMAEAOAE)

Keywords

• Seaweed-based fiber
• Bio-based textiles
• Sustainable materials
• Biodegradable yarn
• Alginate biopolymer

Headquarters

HQ city

Morrisville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Fiber/Yarn Sales: Keel Labs produces and sells Kelsun fiber to fashion brands and textile manufacturers. The company functions as a B2B materials supplier, providing seaweed-based yarn as a raw material input for garment production.
2. Licensing/Partnership Revenue: Revenue generated through exclusive and non-exclusive partnerships with fashion brands for use of Kelsun fiber in their products. Brands like Stella McCartney, H&M, and Outerknown pay for access to the material technology.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Keel Labs produces and sells Kelsun, a bio-based fiber made from seaweed-derived alginate biopolymer that is converted into yarns, nonwovens, and textiles. The company operates as a B2B materials supplier, selling the fiber to fashion brands and textile manufacturers as a drop-in replacement for conventional fibers such as cotton and polyester, using production processes compatible with existing yarn manufacturing infrastructure.

Product overview

Keel Labs operates as a sustainable materials company offering a single flagship product line, Kelsun® seaweed-based fiber. This bio-based fiber can be processed into yarns, nonwovens, and textiles for applications across apparel, footwear, home goods, automotive, and other industries. The company positions Kelsun as a plug-and-play replacement for conventional fibers that works with existing textile manufacturing infrastructure, eliminating the need for new supply chains.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kelsun: Kelsun® is the company's flagship seaweed-based fiber product made from kelp biopolymers. It is 100% bio-based, biodegradable, non-toxic, free from microplastics, and flame resistant. It can be used in nonwovens and traditional textiles for garments, accessories, footwear, home goods, and automotive applications.

Products and services

• Kelsun® Fiber Bio-based fiber made from seaweed-derived alginate biopolymer that can be processed into yarns, nonwovens, and textiles. It is 100% biobased, biodegradable within a few days, non-toxic, free from microplastics, and inherently flame resistant. Sold to fashion brands and textile manufacturers as a drop-in replacement for conventional fibers, compatible with existing yarn production infrastructure. Applications include garments, accessories, footwear, home goods, automotive materials, and nonwovens.
• Kelsun® Beanie Finished consumer beanie product made from Kelsun seaweed-based fiber, sold directly to consumers through the Keel Labs Shopify storefront.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70X water reduction compared to cotton production
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• H&McoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025H&M partnered with Keel Labs to launch a summer clothing collection made from Kelsun seaweed-based fiber. This partnership supports H&M's sustainability targets including 30% certified recycled materials by 2025 and 100% recycled/sustainably sourced materials by 2030.
• OuterknownflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 September 2024First commercial launch of Kelsun fiber in the form of a limited-edition Blanket Shirt. Outerknown is founded by pro surfer Kelly Slater. This marks the first commercially available Kelsun garment, demonstrating mass market viability.
• Mr. BaileyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 April 2024Product designer collaboration for the Starboard Vest - a one-of-a-kind experimental garment demonstrating Kelsun's design versatility using biomimicry principles inspired by marine life.
• Aditi MayerminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 January 2024Climate activist and sustainable fashion thought leader collaborated on the first Kelsun T-shirt sample, working with 70% Kelsun and 30% cotton blend using industry-standard knitting machines.
• Stella McCartneyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 October 2023Flagship partnership featuring Kelsun fiber in Stella McCartney's SS24 collection at Paris Fashion Week. First public debut of Kelsun products. Subsequently launched commercial products through & Other Stories in September 2024. Partnership also includes presence at COP28 Sustainable Market.
• PentagramminorOthers · 1 October 2022Award-winning design firm that collaborated with Keel Labs on the 2022 rebrand from AlgiKnit to Keel Labs, creating the new visual identity, name, and brand platform.
• North Carolina Innovation HubminorOthers · 1 January 2022Expanded to North Carolina and opened an innovation hub designed to enhance technological development whilst scaling production of its aquaculture-based yarn.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bolt Threads: Develops bio-based fibers (e.g., Microsilk, Mylo) for the fashion and apparel industry through fermentation-derived proteins. Most direct comparable as a next-generation fiber supplier selling B2B to fashion brands.
• Spiber: Japan-based producer of Brewed Protein fiber, a fermentation-based bio-fiber targeting apparel brands. Comparable as a science-driven, bio-based alternative fiber supplier to the fashion industry.
• Spinnova: Finnish company producing wood-based sustainable fiber without dissolving chemicals for textile applications. Comparable as a next-generation, drop-in bio-based fiber aimed at fashion and apparel brands.
• Natural Fiber Welding: US-based developer of plant-protein-based fibers (Clarus) targeting fashion and footwear brands. Comparable as a US-based bio-material platform producing fibers for fashion end-uses.
• Renewcell: Producer of Circulose, a dissolving-grade pulp made from recycled cotton textiles, used as a feedstock for viscose/lyocell fiber producers. Comparable as a circular, fiber-feedstock innovator serving the same fashion brands.
• Infinited Fiber Company: Finland-based company producing regenerated cellulose fibers from textile waste for apparel brands. Comparable as a next-gen sustainable fiber supplier targeting fashion industry sustainability commitments.

Broad incumbents

• Eastman: Large specialty materials company producing Naia Renew cellulosic fiber for apparel from sustainably sourced wood pulp. Comparable as an established bio-based fiber incumbent with broader portfolio and global manufacturing scale.
• Aquafil: Italian fiber manufacturer producing ECONYL regenerated nylon from waste streams for fashion brands. Comparable as an established sustainable fiber incumbent competing for the same sustainability-focused apparel sourcing budgets.

Emerging players

• LanzaTech: Carbon recycling company producing ethanol that can be converted into synthetic fabrics (e.g., through partner Inditex/Zara). Comparable as an emerging carbon-to-materials platform adjacent to next-gen sustainable fibers.
• Carbios: French biotech company developing enzymatic recycling of PET and bio-based monomers for fiber and packaging. Comparable as an emerging biotech materials platform targeting sustainable polyester/fiber inputs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/keellabs
• Instagraminstagram.com/keel.labs?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
• Xx.com/keellabs

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors8 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Keel Labs