What SMARTFIBER does

SMARTFIBER AG is a privately held German Aktiengesellschaft founded in 2005, headquartered in Rudolstadt, Thuringia. The company develops and manufactures patented functional cellulose fibers marketed under two principal brands: SEACELL™, a Lyocell/Modal fiber enriched with approximately 19% sustainably harvested brown seaweed from Icelandic fjords, and SMARTCEL™, a Lyocell fiber enriched with pharmaceutical-grade recycled zinc oxide. Both products are produced using a globally patented closed-loop process that binds natural additives permanently into the fiber structure, ensuring functional efficacy persists through repeated washing cycles rather than degrading as coatings would. The company holds multiple certifications (OEKO-TEX Standard 100, EU Ecolabel, OK compost HOME, UV protection) and has received industry recognition including ISPO TEXTTRENDS and the European Business Awards for the Environment Process Innovation award.

SMARTFIBER operates as a B2B fiber manufacturer, selling fibers in approximately 300kg bales to a global network of spinners, weavers, knitters, and textile brands. Its customer base spans apparel (luxury fashion, activewear, outdoor, lingerie), home textiles (bedding, mattresses), and emerging healthcare/wellness segments. Notable customers and brand partners include MANGO, CALIDA, SPEIDEL, HUHA, WYLD1, FTC, Palgero, OBB, Another Tomorrow, Grüezi Bag, and Protective Cover, with a broader partner logo network referencing Adidas, Hugo Boss, Lululemon, Pangaia, Tommy Hilfiger, and Lidl. The company also operates an exclusive partnership with Lenzing AG (established 2011), the world-leading cellulose fiber producer, which provides structural credibility and reach within the industry.

The company's revenue model combines direct fiber sales with a brand licensing/trademark agreement program, in which certified textile brands pay for the right to use SEACELL/SMARTCEL logos on products meeting minimum fiber content thresholds (20–25% SEACELL, 10–15% SMARTCEL). Distribution is global through textile manufacturing partners, with explicit geographic presence in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria and a stated global footprint. The company has no disclosed funding rounds, no public listing, and no public revenue disclosure; headcount is reported at 11–50 employees.

Name

SMARTFIBER

Legal name

SMARTFIBER AG

Website

https://smartfiber.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SMARTFIBER AG is a German B2B manufacturer of patented functional cellulose fibers, producing SEACELL (seaweed-enriched) and SMARTCEL (zinc oxide-enriched) Lyocell/Modal fibers for global textile brands across apparel, bedding, and healthcare applications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cellulose fibers for technical textiles

NAICS

Fiber, Yarn, and Thread Mills (313110), Textile Mills (313)

SIC

Textile Mill Products (2200), Plastic Material, Synth Resin/Rubber, Cellulos (No Glass) (2820)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Cellulose-Based Biodegradable Materials (cellulose films, fibers, derivatives) (IMAEAOAE)

Keywords

• Cellulose fiber manufacturing
• Sustainable textile fibers
• Functional fiber additives
• Lyocell fiber production
• Biodegradable textile materials

Headquarters

HQ city

Rudolstadt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Fiber Sales (B2B): SMARTFIBER sells SEACELL and SMARTCEL fibers directly to textile manufacturers and brands. Fibers are sold in approximately 300kg bales. Customers include spinners, weavers, knitters, and non-woven manufacturers worldwide who process the fibers into yarns, fabrics, and finished textiles.
2. Brand Licensing and Certification: After certification of textiles containing SEACELL or SMARTCEL, SMARTFIBER offers trademark agreements allowing brands to use SEACELL/SMARTCEL logos, along with marketing materials and hang tags.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

SMARTFIBER AG develops and manufactures two patented functional cellulose fibers — SEACELL™ (enriched with sustainably harvested Icelandic brown seaweed) and SMARTCEL™ (enriched with pharmaceutical-grade recycled zinc oxide) — using a globally patented closed-loop process that permanently binds natural additives into the fiber structure. The fibers are sold in approximately 300kg bales B2B to textile manufacturers, spinners, weavers, knitters, and brand partners worldwide for use in apparel, home textiles, and technical textiles, with additional revenue from brand licensing and certification programs.

Product overview

SMARTFIBER AG is a German company founded in 2005 that develops and manufactures innovative functional cellulose fibers. The company operates two main product lines: SEACELL™ (cellulose fiber enriched with brown seaweed from sustainable ocean harvesting in fjords) and SMARTCEL™ (cellulose fiber enriched with pharmaceutical-grade zinc oxide). Both fibers are produced using a patented closed-loop process that binds natural additives permanently into the fiber structure, ensuring functionality remains intact through washing. SEACELL offers skin-nourishing, antioxidant, and revitalizing properties, while SMARTCEL provides UV protection, antibacterial properties, and skin-healing benefits. The company supports customers along the entire value chain from raw materials through finished textiles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SEACELL™: A patented, eco-friendly cellulose fiber enriched with organic brown algae from Iceland. SEACELL provides antioxidant, nourishing, and skin-revitalizing properties. Available in both Lyocell and Modal variants. Approximately 19% seaweed content within the fibers.
• SMARTCEL™

Products and services

• SEACELL™ Patented functional cellulose fiber (available in Lyocell and Modal variants) enriched with approximately 19% sustainably harvested brown seaweed from Icelandic fjords. Delivers antioxidant protection, vitamins, amino acids, minerals, moisture regulation, and natural antibacterial properties. 100% biodegradable and home-compostable. Sold in approximately 300kg bales to textile manufacturers, spinners, weavers, knitters, and brand partners for use in apparel, home textiles, and technical textiles.
• SMARTCEL™ Patented functional Lyocell cellulose fiber enriched with pharmaceutical-grade recycled zinc oxide. Provides UPF 50 UV protection, antibacterial and anti-odor properties, and skin-soothing benefits clinically supported for people with eczema, neurodermatitis, and sensitive skin. Produced via a closed-loop process that won the European Business Awards for the Environment 'Process Innovation' award. Sold in approximately 300kg bales B2B.
• SEACELL™ / SMARTCEL™ Brand Licensing and Certification Program Trademark licensing and end-product certification service. After verification of textile composition, SMARTFIBER issues trademark agreements allowing downstream brands to use SEACELL™ and SMARTCEL™ logos, hang tags, and marketing materials. Open to brands meeting minimum fiber-content thresholds for certified apparel, home textile, and technical textile products.

Quantifiable outcome

• SEACELL maintains antioxidant effectiveness with only 12-22% drop after 50 washing cycles
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, primary, minor and secondary.

• Lenzing AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Exclusive partnership established in 2011 to advance sustainable innovation fibers. Lenzing AG is a world-leading company in cellulose fibers, making this partnership strategically significant for SMARTFIBER's market position.
• PYRATEXcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch and development partner and spinning/knitting partner for processing SEACELL fibers into yarns and fabrics. Collaborated with MANGO on solidarity collection and with Another Tomorrow on capsule collection.
• OBB (Oberbadische Bettfedernfabrik)primaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver 100-year-old German bedding company that developed the first down-proof fabric with SEACELL and SMARTCEL, using them in Schwarzwald Sensitiv bedding line. Both fiber variant (20% SMARTCEL/80% PES) and down variant (20% SMARTCEL/30% Modal/50% PES) available.
• Protective CoverprimaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustrian bedding company creating protective covers for people with sensitive skin or skin diseases (neurodermatitis, psoriasis) using SEACELL and SMARTCEL fibers in their products.
• Yoro NaturalsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany founded based on SMARTFIBER's fibers, focusing on products for people with skin problems. Part of the ecosystem of companies spawned by SMARTFIBER's technology.
• WYLD1secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSports products company founded based on SMARTFIBER's SEACELL fibers. Activewear brand with focus on golf combining planet-friendly materials with SEACELL fiber.
• PalgerosecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutdoor apparel brand founded by Peter Mattis, creating T-shirts and long underwear with SEACELL. Won Gold Winner at Outdoor ISPO 2019. Three product groups: SEACELL Pure (97%), SEACELL Bioactive (48%), SEACELL Merino (47%).
• MANGOsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean fashion group collaborating with PYRATEX to create solidarity collection from SEACELL fiber and organic cotton. Collection launched on World Oceans Day with profits donated to Vellmari marine ecosystem restoration project.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• HeiQ Materials: Swiss functional textile technology company providing fiber-level performance treatments (antimicrobial, cooling, etc.). Comparable as a functional textile innovator targeting apparel brands, though focused on finishes rather than base fibers.
• Spinnova: Finnish sustainable fiber technology company producing wood-based fibers without chemical dissolution. Comparable as a smaller-scale sustainable fiber innovator targeting apparel brands, though with a different underlying production process.
• Tangshan Sanyou Chemical Industries: Chinese producer of cellulose and viscose fibers including lyocell grades. Comparable as a scale-focused cellulose fiber competitor, though primarily commodity rather than functional/specialty positioning.

Regional players

• Cordenka: Germany-based producer of rayon (cellulose) industrial fibers and yarns, serving technical and reinforcement applications. Comparable as a European cellulose-based specialty fiber producer with technical-textile exposure.

Direct peers

• Lenzing AG: World-leading producer of cellulose fibers including TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal. Direct competitor in the same product category, and simultaneously SMARTFIBER's exclusive strategic partner since 2011 — the most commercially consequential comparable for SMARTFIBER.
• Kelheim Fibres: Germany-based specialty viscose fiber producer with a similar niche, sustainable positioning, and European customer base. Closely comparable as a mid-sized European specialty cellulose fiber manufacturer.
• Eastman Chemical Company: Produces Naia™ cellulosic fiber from sustainably sourced wood pulp. Comparable as a sustainably branded cellulose fiber targeted at fashion and home textile applications with functional positioning.
• Sateri: A leading global lyocell and viscose fiber producer (part of RGE group), with brands including EcoCosy. Directly comparable as a large-scale cellulose fiber manufacturer serving apparel and hygiene end-markets.
• Aditya Birla Group (Birla Cellulose): Through Birla Cellulose, the group operates one of the world's largest lyocell and viscose fiber operations. Directly comparable as a high-volume cellulose fiber producer competing for the same apparel and home textile customers.

Broad incumbents

• Asahi Kasei: Diversified materials manufacturer with cellulosic fiber products including Bemliese™ (continuous filament cellulose nonwoven). Comparable in cellulose fiber technology but operates across a much broader industrial portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/smartfiberAG
• Instagraminstagram.com/smartfiber_ag
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smartfiber-ag
• Xx.com/smartfibernews

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 SMARTFIBER