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Uluu, a Perth-based biotech that ferments seaweed to create sustainable alternatives to plastic, has achieved a world-first in fashion after striking a deal for its innovative biodegradable buttons to feature in the latest collection of Australian sleepwear brand Papinelle.
The collaboration marks the first time Uluu's materials have been used in the fashion industry, following its first - albeit small - commercial breakthrough early last year supplying wax combs with Quiksilver boardshorts.
Uluu's process involves fermenting seaweed with saltwater microbes, resulting in material that behaves like traditional plastic but is completely biodegradable and doesn’t shed microplastics.
The company highlights the process also actively benefits the environment as farming seaweed actively removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and absorbs pollutants from the ocean, helping to restore marine ecosystems rather than deplete them.
"These buttons may be small, but they represent a major leap in how fashion can rethink materials," says Uluu co-founder and co-CEO Dr Julia Reisser.
"We’re thrilled to collaborate with Papinelle, who share our belief that beauty and sustainability should go hand in hand."
The partnership emerged through shared values discovered at a sustainable fashion conference, where representatives from both brands recognised their aligned vision for innovation that doesn't compromise on quality or aesthetics.
"Papinelle champions natural fabrics and is passionate about responsible production," says Papinelle co-creative director Nicole Kelly. "We’re delighted to extend this commitment to premium-quality, natural materials with the introduction of ‘made with Uluu’ buttons."
"It’s about offering our customers something they weren’t expecting - a story behind every detail," adds Papinelle founder and co-creative director Renae James.
For Uluu, the collaboration provides a platform to demonstrate their technology’s versatility before scaling to larger production of its compostable polymers known as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) into market-ready materials.
"This launch is an exciting step toward our vision of seaweed-based textiles that can replace polyester," says Uluu co-CEO and co-founder Michael Kingsbury.
"Buttons are just the beginning – our materials can replace plastic across rigid products as well as films, foams and fabrics."
Uluu raised $8 million in a seed round in late 2022 led by CSIRO-backed deep tech investor Main Sequence, in addition to securing contributions from celebrities Karlie Kloss and musician Kevin Parker of Tame Impala.
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