AltMat

A non-woven application of AltMat's natural cellulosic fibres / Source: AltMat

AltagAsiaHempNettle FibrePaperTextiles

WHAT WE SAY:

It’s estimated that over 90 million tonnes of agricultural waste is burned each year in India alone. AltMat’s solution – to turn this waste into natural fibres – is equal parts ingenious, obvious and urgent.

Furthermore, as a startup based out of Gujarat, it brings a local perspective to the problem that is so often lacking. Layer on the increased economic opportunities it brings farmers and you have a compelling proposition. Now it just needs to prove production uses no toxic chemicals and dyes, and that it can really scale.

Alt Yarns / Source: AltMat

ABOUT ALTMAT

Founded in 2019 in Gujarat, India, by Shikha Shah, AltMat is an alternative materials company focused on creating fibres and yarns from agricultural bio-waste feedstocks.
Using recycled agricultural waste, AltMat has created a fibre called Altag, which uses feedstocks that include Hemp, pineapple, Nettle and banana.
The company is working with brands to use its fibres across interiors, clothing, non-wovens and even Paper products.
The company opened its first industrial-scale production facility in 2021 and is now looking for partners, who can purchase a typical minimum of two tons of yarn, although it states it is open to exploring smaller collections upon request.
In 2020, AltMat received support from Fashion for Good as part of its South Asia Innovation Programme. The programme provided nine months of mentoring, coaching and support, along with assistance from manufacturers Arvind Mills and Welspun.
In February 2022, AltMat was selected as part of Fashion For Good’s Untapped Agricultural Waste Project. The initiative links materials startups with brand partners adidas, Bestseller, Vivobarefoot and the supply chain partner Birla Cellulose to explore how to scale technologies that turn agricultural waste into textile fibres.
AltMat was also selected as a finalist as part of the Conservation X Labs (CXL) Microfibre Innovation Challenge in December 2021.