Mariva Materials secures investment from Future Tech Ventures and VP Capital to accelerate bio-based performance fibres
EMMEN, Netherlands — Dutch materials innovator Mariva Materials B.V. has secured investment from Future Tech Ventures and VP Capital to accelerate the development and commercialization of its next-generation bio-based performance fibres. The funding will support technology validation, pilot applications and market development as the company prepares to scale a new polymer platform designed for industrial adoption within existing textile manufacturing infrastructure.
Mariva Materials is developing a bio-based, recyclable and biodegradable performance fibre that combines the durability and thermal stability expected from conventional synthetic fibres with the environmental benefits of bio-based feedstocks and improved end-of-life options. The technology originated as a spin-out from Senbis Polymer Innovations B.V., an independent R&D company rooted in the former Akzo Nobel polymer and spinning research facilities in Emmen, bringing decades of expertise in polymer development and fibre innovation.
A key differentiator of Mariva’s approach is compatibility with existing polymer processing and melt-spinning infrastructure. By designing its technology as a drop-in solution, the company aims to lower barriers to market adoption and accelerate commercial deployment through a capital-light scaling model based on licensing rather than greenfield production capacity.
“We are excited to welcome Future Tech Ventures and VP Capital as partners in Mariva’s journey,” said Kasper Nossent, Co-Founder and CCO of Mariva Materials. “Their investment will help us validate material performance, expand pilot applications, and accelerate collaborations with brands, manufacturers and supply chain partners as we continue building a new platform for bio-based performance fibres.”
The investment aligns with growing pressure on the textile industry to reduce dependence on fossil-based materials. Polyester remains the dominant fibre in the global textile sector, yet its reliance on fossil resources contributes to CO₂ emissions and persistent microplastic pollution. While alternative materials continue to emerge, many face challenges around scalability, performance or integration into existing manufacturing systems.
“The textile industry has been stitching over the same fossil-fuel, microplastic and waste pile wounds for decades,” said Kyra Weaver, Investment Manager at Future Tech Ventures. “Mariva changes that. Not with incremental tweaks, but with a genuinely new material category. Performance and sustainability don’t have to be a trade-off. We’ve been told they do for too long. At Future Tech Ventures, we back founders who refuse to accept the status quo. The future we envision demands relentless, visionary entrepreneurs. Gerard and Kasper are exactly that.”
For VP Capital, the investment reflects a strategic focus on bio-based and circular solutions within the textile sector. “At VP Capital, we see a growing need for scalable material innovations that can help accelerate the transition towards a more circular textile industry,” said Mathijs van der Knaap, Investment Manager Ventures at VP Capital. “What makes Mariva particularly interesting is the combination of sustainability, performance and scalability. Many alternative textile materials struggle to move beyond niche applications because they are difficult to scale or require entirely new production systems. Mariva is taking a pragmatic approach by developing materials designed to fit within existing industrial infrastructure.”
The market for sustainable textile materials continues to evolve rapidly, driven by changing regulation, increasing demand from textile brands, and growing awareness of the environmental impact of conventional synthetic fibres. Mariva aims to contribute to this transition through the development of bio-based fibres that combine technical performance with circularity and scalability. The company initially targets applications in sportswear, outdoor apparel, performance textiles and technical textiles — segments where both performance requirements and sustainability expectations are particularly high.
Mariva will participate in Hello Tomorrow 2026 as part of the Dutch Deep Tech Delegation and continues to build partnerships across the textile ecosystem as it prepares for the next stage of development.
About Mariva Materials B.V.
Mariva Materials is a Dutch innovator developing bio-based, recyclable and biodegradable performance fibres designed to deliver the technical performance required for textile applications while reducing dependence on fossil-based raw materials. The company originated as a spin-out from Senbis Polymer Innovations B.V., leveraging decades of polymer and fibre R&D expertise from the former Akzo Nobel facilities in Emmen. Mariva’s technology is designed for compatibility with existing melt-spinning infrastructure, enabling a capital-light licensing model for scale-up.
About Future Tech Ventures
Future Tech Ventures is a venture capital firm backing visionary founders building transformative deep tech solutions. The fund focuses on climate tech, advanced materials and industrial innovation.
About VP Capital
VP Capital is an investment firm with a focus on bio-based and circular solutions, supporting technologies that enable the transition towards a more sustainable economy.
Source: Mariva Materials press release / Duurzaam Beleggen, 11 June 2026