Gen Phoenix
Gen Phoenix is a UK-based circular materials manufacturer that transforms post-industrial leather waste into high-performance recycled leather fiber materials serving aviation, automotive, footwear, fashion, ground transport, and contract seating customers including Tapestry/Coach, Dr. Martens, and 250+ airlines globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersPeterborough, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Gen Phoenix does
Gen Phoenix (formerly ELeather) is a UK-based circular materials manufacturer founded in 2007 and headquartered in Peterborough, England. The company operates a proprietary hydroentanglement-based manufacturing process that deconstructs post-industrial and post-consumer leather waste into uniform, high-performance fiber webs, producing up to 6 million m² of material annually across two Peterborough-area facilities totaling over 220,000 sq ft. Its material portfolio spans three core platforms: ELeather (transport-grade), Aurora (luxury upcycled leather for fashion and footwear), and Helios (fully closed-loop material accepting finished leather scraps and end-of-life inputs), augmented by specialized finishes (Gaia, Saffiano, Twill) and PURE Guard antimicrobial technology.
Gen Phoenix generates revenue through B2B enterprise sales of recycled leather fiber materials to brand partners and OEMs in aviation, automotive, footwear, leather goods, ground transport, and contract seating. Go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales with deep co-development from R&D through commercialization, supplemented by industry event presence (Aircraft Interiors Expo, Busworld) and partnership-driven co-marketing. Pricing is quote-based, designed to be price-neutral versus traditional leather to protect customer margins, and structured as multi-year supply agreements (e.g., Tapestry's commitment to purchase 40 million sq ft over three years, Dr. Martens multi-season Genix Nappa partnership). Key customers include Tapestry/Coach (40M sq ft commitment, 9.9% equity owner), Dr. Martens (Genix Nappa, four consecutive seasons), Nike, Jaguar Land Rover, and 250+ airlines (Wizz Air fleet-wide, American Airlines, Southwest, Frontier, Aeromexico, LATAM, airBaltic). The company has raised approximately $138M+ across multiple rounds led by Material Impact, with strategic investors Tapestry, Dr. Martens, InMotion Ventures, ETF Partners, and Hermes GPE.
Gen Phoenix firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Gen Phoenix
- Legal name
- Generation Phoenix Ltd
- Website
- https://genphoenix.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Gen Phoenix is a UK-based circular materials manufacturer that transforms post-industrial leather waste into high-performance recycled leather fiber materials serving aviation, automotive, footwear, fashion, ground transport, and contract seating customers including Tapestry/Coach, Dr. Martens, and 250+ airlines globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Gen Phoenix industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Recycled Leather Materials
- NAICS
- Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing (316), Other Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing (31699)
- SIC
- Leather & Leather Products (3100)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Vegan/Alternative Material Goods Manufacturing (PU/Plant-based/Mycelium) (IMAOAHAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Biobased, Compostable & Low-Impact Material Innovation (Bio-polymers/Dope Dyeing) (IMAOAMAM)
Keywords
Where Gen Phoenix is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Peterborough
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Gen Phoenix business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Recycled Leather Material Sales: Gen Phoenix generates revenue through the sale of recycled leather materials to brands and manufacturers across aviation, automotive, footwear, and fashion industries. The company supplies materials as rolls to customers who incorporate them into their products. Pricing is designed to be price-neutral compared to traditional leather to protect brand partner margins.
- Three-Year Supply Agreements: Long-term supply agreements with major brands such as Tapestry (Coach) and Dr. Martens. Tapestry committed to purchasing 40 million square feet of recycled leather fiber over three years. Partnership began in 2022 with Coachtopia line launch.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | B2B enterprise pricing for recycled leather materials |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Gen Phoenix product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Gen Phoenix manufactures and sells recycled leather fiber materials made from leather waste (wet blue offcuts, post-industrial, and post-consumer scraps) to enterprise customers across aviation, ground transport, automotive, footwear, leather goods, and contract seating. Its core product family — ELeather, Aurora, and Helios — is produced through a proprietary hydroentanglement and fiber processing system, with annual capacity of 6 million m², and is supplied on multi-year contracts to brands such as Tapestry (Coach), Dr. Martens, Nike, Wizz Air, and Jaguar Land Rover.
Product overview
Gen Phoenix is a sustainable materials company offering a platform of recycled and circular leather products. The core portfolio consists of three main materials: ELeather (flagship circular material for aviation and transport), Aurora (luxury-grade upcycled leather for fashion and footwear), and Helios (fully closed-loop circular solution). Additional offerings include the Essence aviation material with antimicrobial properties, PURE Guard antimicrobial technology, and specialized finishes (Gaia, Saffiano, Twill). The company operates a proprietary circular manufacturing process that transforms leather waste into high-performance materials, serving markets including aviation, ground transport, contract seating, automotive, footwear, and leather goods.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ELeather Flagship high-performance leather fibre-based circular material made from reclaimed wet blue premium leather offcuts; provides qualities of traditional leather with 'like new' lifespan, low maintenance, and lower cost of ownership for aviation, ground transport, contract seating, automotive, footwear, and leather goods customers.
- Aurora Ultra high-quality upcycled leather designed for modern luxury — durable and beautiful without compromising on the planet; made from wet blue leather off-cuts from Europe's best tanneries; supplied to fashion, footwear, and leather goods brands.
- Helios Fully circular material solution that closes the loop on material waste by accepting finished leather scraps and end-of-life post-consumer and post-industrial materials as feedstocks.
- Essence Aviation upholstery material offering inherent durability with a lightweight structure (480gsm), delivering long-term weight and carbon emission savings; reduces the need for frequent seat cover changes and includes an anti-microbial finish.
- Genix Nappa Reclaimed leather material co-developed with Dr. Martens, made from recycled leather fibres; soft, lightweight, and durable; used across footwear and accessories collections including the Solar Flare line.
Quantifiable outcome
- 80% lower carbon footprint compared to traditional leather
- +9 more outcomes
Companies that use Gen Phoenix
Customer profileNamed customers17 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Gen Phoenix technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Gen Phoenix partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Dr. MartenscoreLong-term materials partnership producing Genix Nappa reclaimed leather products. Partnership has delivered four consecutive seasons (2024-2025) with Solar Flare collection expanding to kids' footwear and bags. Dr. Martens tested materials in real-world conditions including 'factory floors and mosh pits' before committing. Partnership has diverted 15 tonnes of leather offcuts from waste and saved 693 tCO₂e. Both brands target net-zero emissions by 2040.
- NikesupportingFootwear market entry partnership began in 2017. Nike collaboration marked Gen Phoenix's entry into the footwear industry.
- Wizz AirsupportingPartnership since 2012 with entire Wizz Air fleet now using Gen Phoenix seating materials. Achieved 78% less carbon emissions, 87% reduction in water consumption, 95% recycled water usage.
- CoachtopiacoreCoach's Gen-Z focused sub-brand launched in 2022 using Gen Phoenix recycled leather materials with at least 50-77% recycled content. Products designed for circularity using leather scraps and tannery waste. Coachtopia designs products from the outset for reuse and recycling.
- Jet2supportingFirst product customer for Gen Phoenix (then ELeather) in 2008. Long-standing aviation partnership for seat cover materials.
- American AirlinessupportingOne of over 250 airlines using Gen Phoenix materials for aircraft seat covers. Major US carrier partnership.
- Southwest AirlinessupportingUS airline partner using Gen Phoenix materials. ELeather seat covers have shown impressive resilience for nearly seven years versus other products previously used.
- AeromexicosupportingAviations customer extending partnership with Gen Phoenix for sustainable cabin solutions. Case study partnership with FORMIA for cabin interiors.
- LATAMsupportingSouth American airline customer using Gen Phoenix materials for cabin interiors.
- Frontier AirlinessupportingUS airline where ELeather seat covers have shown impressive resilience for nearly seven years with virtually no signs of wear, tear, or sag.
- airBalticsupportingUsing ELeather on Airbus A220-300 aircraft, lowering carbon footprint while providing sustainable high-performance cabin solution.
- RENFEsupportingSpanish rail operator customer using Gen Phoenix materials for train seating.
- SNCFsupportingFrench national railway operator customer using Gen Phoenix materials for rail seating.
- AmtraksupportingUS rail operator customer using Gen Phoenix materials for passenger seating.
- De LijnsupportingBelgian public transport company providing all new buses and trams with ELeather recycled leather seating. Partnership provides upgraded vehicle look that is more durable, hardwearing, and easier to clean.
- Schiphol AirportsupportingPreviously used seats in airport corridors reupholstered in ELeather, supporting Schiphol's ambition of becoming zero-waste airport by 2030 and fully circular by 2050.
- RockFallsupportingRevive safety boot (RF314-X) uses Gen Phoenix Aurora recycled leather with >80% lower carbon footprint than traditional leather. Material provides durability and aesthetic requirements for modern engineering safety boots.
- Footwear CollectivesupportingPartnership with The Footwear Collective nonprofit to find solutions benefiting profits and planet. Group unifies industry in pushing for circularity, with members including Brooks, Crocs, Ecco, New Balance, Steve Madden, Vibram, and Vans.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Gen Phoenix competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Desserto: Desserto produces cactus-based vegan leather for fashion, footwear, and automotive interiors. Comparable to Gen Phoenix as a plant-based alternative leather manufacturer serving fashion and mobility segments with circular material propositions.
- Piñatex (Ananas Anam): Ananas Anam manufactures Piñatex, a leather alternative made from pineapple leaf fibre, used in fashion, footwear, and accessories. Comparable to Gen Phoenix as a plant-based circular material supplier serving fashion and footwear brands with sustainability-positioned alternatives.
- Modern Meadow: Modern Meadow develops bioengineered protein-based leather materials (Bio-Vera, Ecō) for fashion and automotive applications. Comparable to Gen Phoenix as a next-generation sustainable leather material supplier targeting luxury brands and OEMs with performance-grade alternatives to traditional leather.
- MycoWorks: MycoWorks produces Fine Mycelium, a luxury bio-based leather alternative grown from mycelium. Directly comparable to Gen Phoenix as a sustainable leather material manufacturer targeting fashion (Hermès, Ligne Roset) and footwear brands with comparable price-point positioning.
- Bolt Threads (Mylo): Bolt Threads produces Mylo, a mycelium-based leather alternative with partnerships including Stella McCartney, Adidas, and Lululemon. Comparable to Gen Phoenix as a next-gen sustainable material manufacturer targeting premium fashion and footwear brands with bio-based leather alternatives.
Broad incumbents
- Aquafil (Econyl): Aquafil produces Econyl, a regenerated nylon made from fishing nets and fabric waste, used across fashion and carpeting. Comparable to Gen Phoenix as an established sustainable material manufacturer serving fashion and interior markets with circular-economy positioning.
- Ultrafabrics: Ultrafabrics manufactures high-performance coated fabrics and sustainable upholstery materials for aviation, automotive, and healthcare applications. Comparable to Gen Phoenix as a broad incumbent supplying performance materials to aviation seat OEMs and mobility interior programs where Gen Phoenix also competes.
Emerging players
- VitroLabs: VitroLabs develops lab-grown (cell-cultivated) leather for luxury fashion, with partnerships including Kering and Stella McCartney. Comparable to Gen Phoenix as an emerging sustainable leather material innovator targeting the same luxury and premium fashion customer base.
- Beyond Leather Materials: Beyond Leather Materials produces Leap, an apple-waste-based leather alternative for fashion and accessories. Comparable to Gen Phoenix as an emerging plant-based leather alternative manufacturer targeting similar fashion and lifestyle brand customers with circular material offerings.
- Natural Fiber Welding: Natural Fiber Welding develops plant-protein-based materials (Mirum, Clarus) as leather alternatives for fashion, automotive, and footwear. Comparable to Gen Phoenix as an emerging sustainable material platform competing for the same fashion, footwear, and OEM customers with bio-based alternatives.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Gen Phoenix social profiles
Digital presenceGen Phoenix compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance9 records
Gen Phoenix financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Gen Phoenix leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Gen Phoenix funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds7 records
Investors8 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Gen Phoenix 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 Gen Phoenix
What does Gen Phoenix do?
Gen Phoenix manufactures and sells recycled leather fiber materials made from leather waste (wet blue offcuts, post-industrial, and post-consumer scraps) to enterprise customers across aviation, ground transport, automotive, footwear, leather goods, and contract seating. Its core product family — ELeather, Aurora, and Helios — is produced through a proprietary hydroentanglement and fiber processing system, with annual capacity of 6 million m², and is supplied on multi-year contracts to brands such as Tapestry (Coach), Dr. Martens, Nike, Wizz Air, and Jaguar Land Rover.
Is Gen Phoenix a public or private company?
Gen Phoenix is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Gen Phoenix founded?
Gen Phoenix was founded in 2007. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Gen Phoenix based?
Gen Phoenix is headquartered in Peterborough, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Gen Phoenix make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Recycled Leather Material Sales are the primary driver. The others are three-Year Supply Agreements.
Who are Gen Phoenix's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Desserto, Piñatex (Ananas Anam), Modern Meadow, MycoWorks and Bolt Threads (Mylo). Broad incumbents are Aquafil (Econyl) and Ultrafabrics. Emerging players are VitroLabs, Beyond Leather Materials and Natural Fiber Welding.
Does Gen Phoenix have an API?
No public API is recorded for Gen Phoenix.
What industry is Gen Phoenix in?
Gen Phoenix's product category is Recycled Leather Materials. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAOAHAH, Vegan/Alternative Material Goods Manufacturing (PU/Plant-based/Mycelium), with a secondary code of IMAOAMAM, Biobased, Compostable & Low-Impact Material Innovation (Bio-polymers/Dope Dyeing). Its NAICS code is 316 and its SIC code is 3100.