Natural Fiber Welding

What Natural Fiber Welding does

Natural Fiber Welding (NFW), a Delaware-incorporated materials science company founded in 2015 and headquartered in Peoria, Illinois, develops a platform of plastic-free, plant-based biomaterials — MIRUM (leather alternative), CLARUS (precision-engineered natural textiles), PLIANT (naturally cured natural-rubber outsoles), and TUNERA (biobased foam) — using proprietary green chemistry and a patented biocurative system that replaces petrochemical curing with plant-based inputs. The company sells its materials as an 'ingredient brand' directly to global consumer-brand manufacturers across fashion, luxury, footwear, automotive, and home goods; notable customers include BMW (Neue Klasse interiors under the brand name 'Verdana'), Stella McCartney, Ralph Lauren, Richemont/IWC, Patagonia, H&M, New Balance, Vivobarefoot, Allbirds, and Bellroy. Development cycles are long and consultative (two years for BMW automotive qualification, requiring over 500 formulation changes), and the company also operates a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront selling finished products (e.g., the Runner K21 MIRUM shoe) as both a revenue channel and a proof-of-performance demonstration.

The business model combines direct B2B material sales with technology and brand licensing, underpinned by an extensive intellectual property portfolio (16 granted US patents and parallel international patents across China, EU, Japan, Korea, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Israel, Malaysia and Mexico, plus 70+ registered trademarks and 180+ pending). Pricing is quote-based, negotiated enterprise-by-enterprise under multi-year contracts, with no public list prices; the company cites cost parity with premium compression-molded rubber and conventional PU leather alternatives. The company has raised approximately $230M+ in disclosed funding across multiple rounds (notably $15M in 2021, an $85M Series B led by Evolution VC Partners in April 2022, and a January 2026 strategic investment from Provest Equity Partners and CTW Venture Partners following a 2025 operational wind-down and subsequent revival. Manufacturing is concentrated in Peoria, Illinois, with regenerative rubber sourced from a Terra Genesis partnership in Thailand's Songkhla watershed and a growing supply-chain of certified, ethically managed Hevea brasiliensis forestry.

Name

Natural Fiber Welding

Legal name

Natural Fiber Welding, Inc.

Website

https://nfw.earth

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Natural Fiber Welding is a Peoria, Illinois materials science company that develops plastic-free, plant-based biomaterials — MIRUM (leather alternative), CLARUS (textiles), PLIANT (outsoles), and TUNERA (foam) — selling its ingredients to global fashion, footwear, automotive, and luxury brands including BMW, Stella McCartney, Ralph Lauren, and New Balance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Biomaterials

NAICS

Resin, Synthetic Rubber, and Artificial and Synthetic Fibers and Filaments Manufacturing (3252), Artificial and Synthetic Fibers and Filaments Manufacturing (32522), Resin and Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing (32521)

SIC

Plastic Material, Synth Resin/Rubber, Cellulos (No Glass) (2820), Broadwoven Fabric Mills, Man Made Fiber & Silk (2221)

akta.pro primary industry

Bio-based Materials & Fibers (e.g., cellulose derivatives, lignin-based materials, nanocellulose) (EUAAAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Molded Fiber & Bio-composite Materials (natural fiber-reinforced plastics) (IMANANAE), Nonwoven Fabric Mills (Spunbond/Meltblown/Needle-punched) (IMAOABAC)

Keywords

• Plant-based biomaterials
• Plastic-free leather alternatives
• Biobased performance textiles
• Natural rubber outsoles
• Sustainable material science

Headquarters

HQ city

Peoria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Material Sales (Ingredient Brand Model): NFW sells its proprietary materials (MIRUM, PLIANT, CLARUS, TUNERA) as ingredient brands to manufacturing partners and brand customers who incorporate them into finished goods. Revenue is generated through direct material sales to brands across footwear, fashion, automotive, and home goods verticals.
2. Licensing and Technology Platform Fees: NFW's extensive patent portfolio and proprietary technology platform generate revenue through licensing arrangements with manufacturing and brand partners. The company licenses its technology to enable production of its branded material families at scale.
3. Finished Product Sales (E-commerce): NFW operates its own e-commerce storefront (shop.nfw.earth) selling finished products made with its materials, including the Runner K21 MIRUM shoe, providing a direct-to-consumer revenue stream.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Natural Fiber Welding manufactures and sells a platform of plastic-free, 100% biobased materials — MIRUM (plant-based leather alternative), CLARUS (precision-engineered textiles), PLIANT (naturally cured natural rubber outsoles), and TUNERA (biobased foam) — produced from natural rubber, plant oils, waxes, and minerals using proprietary green chemistry. The company sells these materials primarily B2B to enterprise brand partners in the fashion, footwear, automotive, and home goods industries, and also operates a small direct-to-consumer e-commerce shop selling finished products.

Product overview

NFW is a materials science company offering a platform of plastic-free biomaterials for industrial applications. The company's product portfolio consists of four core material products: MIRUM (plant-based leather alternative), CLARUS (precision-engineered textiles), PLIANT (natural rubber outsoles), and TUNERA (biobased foam). These materials are designed to replace petroleum-based plastics across footwear, fashion, automotive, and home goods industries. All products follow NFW's 'Ground Rules' philosophy: Start Well (natural ingredients only), Stay Clean (non-toxic processing), and End Well (materials safely return to earth). The platform is backed by an extensive patent portfolio spanning multiple jurisdictions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MIRUM®: World's first plastic-free alternative to leather - a low-carbon, biobased, tunable material for fashion, footwear, automotive, and accessories.
• CLARUS®
• PLIANT™
• TUNERA™

Products and services

• MIRUM® The world's first plastic-free, 100% biobased alternative to leather, made from natural rubber, plant oils and waxes, natural pigments, and minerals, cured with NFW's patented plant-based biocurative. Sold as a tunable material in various finishes and colors for applications across footwear, fashion, automotive interiors, and accessories.
• CLARUS® Tunable, precision-engineered textiles that use closed-loop green chemistry to enhance natural yarns (both virgin and recycled), enabling knits, wind-resistant wovens, and durable cotton canvas with performance features previously achievable only with synthetics. 100% return-to-earth compatible.
• PLIANT™ The world's first naturally cured performance rubber outsoles, derived from the sap of Hevea brasiliensis trees in FSC-certified forests and cured with NFW's patented plant-based curative. Zero plastics, both recyclable and naturally circular. Sold as bulk compound or finished molded outsoles to footwear brands.
• TUNERA™ First-in-kind 100% biobased foam made from natural rubber, vegetable oil, minerals, and cork, serving as a plastic-free alternative to ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyurethane foams. Maintains comfort over time better than incumbent synthetic foams and is designed for natural circularity.
• NFW E-commerce Storefront (shop.nfw.earth) NFW's own online shop selling finished products (e.g., the Runner K21 MIRUM shoe) made with its proprietary materials, serving both as a revenue channel and a tangible demonstration vehicle for material performance.

Quantifiable outcome

• PLIANT™ achieves tensile and tear strength exceeding three times the highest industry-standard footwear specifications, with strong DIN abrasion resistance
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• VivobarefootcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2026Vivobarefoot partnered with NFW to launch the Gobi II Sneaker made with 98% natural materials, incorporating NFW's PLIANT outsole and Thai-sourced chrome-free leather. This represents a major commercial footwear partnership where NFW materials are featured in a live product SKU. Vivobarefoot is a leading sustainable footwear brand focused on natural, minimalist shoe design.
• Terra GenesiscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 March 2024NFW partners with Terra Genesis (a regenerative design firm) to build a new market for regenerative latex from the Thepha farmer cooperative in South Thailand's Songkhla watershed. Terra Genesis developed Ethos Regenerative Outcome Verification (Ethos ROV) to track regenerative metrics. NFW covers operational costs of the program, which has onboarded 40 farmers across 180 hectares of Wanakaset agroforestry.
• Lenzing AGsupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 February 2023Lenzing AG partnered with NFW in February 2023 to support MIRUM plant-based leather technology. Lenzing is a leading producer of wood-based textile fibers, and the partnership leverages Lenzing's position in the sustainable textiles ecosystem to advance adoption of NFW's materials.
• Conservation X LabssupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 March 2022NFW was selected as one of five winners in Conservation X Labs' Microfiber Innovation Challenge, winning a share of the $525,000 prize for solutions to reduce microfiber pollution from clothing and textiles. This recognition was for NFW's plant-based material technology addressing microplastic shedding from synthetic textiles.
• BaredsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Australian footwear brand Bared partnered with NFW in 2022, launching MIRUM uppers (2023) and PLIANT outsoles (2024). Bared's goal is 100% biobased materials for every shoe component, making NFW's multi-material platform particularly strategic for their needs.
• Stella McCartneycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStella McCartney has partnered with NFW since 2019, featuring MIRUM in Frayme and Falabella handbags for Winter '23 collection (Fashion Week debut) and subsequent collections. Stella McCartney is a special advisor on sustainability to LVMH's CEO and is described as a 'change maker' in sustainable luxury fashion. She is also an investor through the Collaborative Fund invested in NFW.
• DeckerssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeckers (parent company of UGG, Hoka, Teva, Sanuk) has partnered with NFW to incorporate MIRUM material in its product lines, supporting NFW's entry into the footwear and lifestyle brand market.
• ReformationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerReformation, a sustainable fashion brand, has partnered with NFW to incorporate MIRUM material in fashion collections, aligning with Reformation's brand positioning on sustainability and environmental impact.
• H&MsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerH&M partnered with NFW to incorporate MIRUM in accessible sustainable fashion collections, leveraging H&M's global retail reach to scale adoption of plant-based materials.
• PatagoniasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPatagonia partnered with NFW using CLARUS technology for performance outdoor apparel, applying NFW's material science to enhance natural fibers in Patagonia's sustainability-focused product lines.
• New BalancesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew Balance partnered with NFW using MIRUM for sustainable performance footwear, combining New Balance's athletic footwear design with NFW's plant-based material technology.
• Richemont (IWC Shaffhausen)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRichemont Group (including IWC Shaffhausen) partnered with NFW using MIRUM for luxury watch straps and accessories, applying plant-based leather alternative technology in the high-end luxury goods segment.
• Karl LagerfeldsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerKarl Lagerfeld brand partnered with NFW to incorporate plant-based materials in fashion collections, leveraging the legacy of the iconic designer in sustainable fashion innovation.
• PangaiasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPangaia, a materials science company focused on sustainable fashion, partnered with NFW to incorporate plant-based materials in its innovative product collections.
• Unless CollectivesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnless Collective partnered with NFW for sustainable fashion, applying NFW's plant-based material technologies in their circular fashion design approach.
• BellroysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBellroy (Australian sustainable accessories brand) partnered with NFW using MIRUM for wallets and small leather goods, applying plant-based leather alternative in accessories.
• Melina BuchersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman sustainable luxury handbag brand Melina Bucher partnered with NFW to create the world's first fully bio-based handbag using MIRUM, developed over five years with innovative materials including MIRUM, BioPuff, hemp residues, and mycelium foam.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• MycoWorks: MycoWorks produces Reishi, a mycelium-based leather alternative. It is a direct competitor to NFW's MIRUM in the bio-based leather space, with comparable enterprise brand partnerships including Hermès, GM, and Ligne Roset. Both companies are pursuing luxury and automotive OEM qualifications.
• Bolt Threads: Bolt Threads develops Mylo, a mycelium-based leather alternative, along with other bio-based materials. It directly competes with NFW in sustainable leather alternatives and has partnerships with Stella McCartney, Adidas, and Lululemon, overlapping with several of NFW's brand partners.
• Modern Meadow: Modern Meadow develops bio-based leather alternatives using protein and biotechnology approaches. It competes directly with NFW in the plant-based leather alternative category, targeting fashion, footwear, and automotive applications with similar sustainability positioning.
• Ananas Anam: Ananas Anam produces Piñatex, a pineapple leaf fiber-based leather alternative. It is a direct competitor in plant-based leather alternatives, primarily serving fashion and accessories brands with comparable sustainability credentials to NFW's MIRUM.
• Desserto: Desserto produces cactus-based leather alternatives targeting fashion, automotive, and footwear. It is a direct competitor to NFW's MIRUM in plant-based leather, with a comparable sustainability story and overlapping customer segments, particularly in automotive and luxury accessories.

Emerging players

• Spiber: Spiber produces Brewed Protein, a plant-derived (sugar-fed) protein fiber for apparel and other applications. It is an emerging player in bio-based materials with a comparable sustainability narrative, though its focus is more on textiles/fibers than leather alternatives directly.
• Ecovative Design: Ecovative develops mycelium-based materials for packaging, fashion, and food. While more focused on packaging and foams (overlapping with NFW's TUNERA), it represents an emerging alternative in the bio-based materials space using similar sustainable positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Adidas (Future Materials): Adidas is a major athletic footwear brand that has publicly committed to using bio-based and recycled materials, including mycelium leather (with Bolt Threads). It represents a large incumbent customer that NFW targets via MIRUM and PLIANT but which can choose among multiple bio-based material suppliers.
• Asahi Kasei: Asahi Kasei is a large Japanese diversified chemical manufacturer producing synthetic fibers, resins, and performance materials. It is both a strategic investor in NFW and a broad incumbent competitor with the resources and IP portfolio to develop comparable bio-based alternatives at scale.

Others

• Lenzing AG: Lenzing AG is a leading producer of wood-based cellulose fibers (TENCEL, Lyocell) and a strategic partner of NFW (announced February 2023). While not a direct competitor in leather alternatives, Lenzing represents an adjacent enabling player in sustainable textiles that could either partner or compete with NFW's CLARUS technology.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/natural-fiber-welding
• Xx.com/nfw_tech
• Facebookfacebook.com/NFWTech

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds13 records

Investors30 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 Natural Fiber Welding