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BioFluff, reshaping the future of sustainable fashion
- Teo Sandigliano
- Aug 29
- 4 min read
Among the new startups committed to developing and producing alternative and sustainable solutions for the fashion industry is BioFluff. Founded in 2022 by an experienced team of entrepreneurs and material engineers, the company is based between Paris, New York, and London. BioFluff focuses on creating natural, plant-based alternatives to fur, shearling, plush, and other fluffy materials traditionally derived from animals. Currently, the brand offers two innovative solutions – Savian and BioPlush – both featured on the Materials Design Map.
These materials not only replicate the luxurious feel of traditional animal-based textiles but also significantly reduce CO₂ emissions. By replacing petroleum-based synthetics and animal-derived products with biodegradable, regenerative alternatives, BioFluff is helping to reshape the future of sustainable fashion. We spoke with the BioFluff team to learn more about their approach to material innovation and their vision.
1. How did the idea for BioFluff come about? What’s the story of the brand?
It started from our co-founder, Martin, a bioscientist who was working in the alternative leather space at the time. He spent quite a few months researching processes at a tannery and was deeply disturbed by the processes involved in animal fur production. While there were many new alternatives underway in the leather space, the only alternatives to fur were entirely made of plastic and therefore polluting to the environment.
The idea for BioFluff was sparked by a very real frustration: we couldn't find a material that matched the softness and beauty of fur without either harming animals or polluting the planet with plastics. Meanwhile, our co-founder Roni came from a luxury background and saw firsthand how difficult it was for brands to find sustainable materials that actually worked in high-end design. Our third co-founder, Steven, then teamed up with BioFluff, bringing decades of experience in textile production, and they decided to create a new category altogether: a luxurious, high-performance fur alternative that’s 100% plant-based, plastic-free, and scalable. That’s how BioFluff came to life.
2. How is the luxury industry responding to a material like Savian by BioFluff ? Have you received any particularly meaningful feedback?
The luxury industry has been incredibly receptive as there’s a growing sense that the current available materials just aren’t aligned with where the world is headed. Less than one year into our existence, our company was recognized by LVMH as a finalist in their 2022 Innovation Award in Paris. When Stella McCartney chose to showcase Savian by BioFluff at COP28, it felt like a major validation of what we’re building. We've also had meaningful collaborations with GANNI and several more in the pipeline. One of the most rewarding pieces of feedback came from a designer who said, "It feels like the material we’ve all been waiting for, ethical, luxurious, and real." That’s what keeps us going.
3. What sets your production process apart from synthetic or animal fur alternatives, both from a technical and environmental standpoint?
Unlike synthetic fur, which is essentially plastic fabric, or animal fur, which comes with all the ethical and environmental baggage, Savian by BioFluff is made entirely from natural plant fibers like nettle, flax, and hemp. We don’t use toxic solvents and our entire process is plastic-free, meaning we’ve created a fully compostable material that’s also soft, durable, and visually appealing. From an environmental standpoint, we’re reducing CO2 emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional fur and 75% in comparison to faux fur.
4. On your website, you mention that “Savian by BioFluff is an efficiently scalable innovation with high production capacity and industry-standard lead times.” How is this expansion process unfolding in practice?
It’s unfolding rapidly and very intentionally. We currently produce our materials in Italy, working with generational, family-owned mills that understand both heritage craftsmanship and modern innovation. What also sets us apart from other new gen materials is that we have already achieved commercial production capabilities and continue to scale, offering better lead times and pricing. We’re not just innovating the material. We are rebuilding the supply chain to make sustainable fur truly accessible.
5. What is the full lifecycle of Savian by BioFluff, from production to disposal?
Savian by Biofluff begins with the cultivation of low-impact plant fibers like nettle, hemp, and flax, primarily sourced from European farms. These are processed using non-toxic systems and bonded to natural textile backings - no plastics or synthetic adhesives. Once used in garments, accessories, or toys, the material maintains its integrity throughout its use phase. At the end of its life, our materials can be industrially composted or recycled. It’s truly designed to return to the earth, not the landfill.
6. In addition to Savian by BioFluff, you’re also developing BioPlush. Could you tell us more about this new material and its potential applications? And what can we expect next from BioFluff?
BioPlush was born from the same philosophy as Savian by BioFluff, but was designed specifically for the plush toy and comfort textile industries, where safety and softness are paramount. It’s safe even for children and offers a plastic-free alternative to the synthetic plush used in toys, cushions, and soft furnishings. Today’s plush toys are made almost entirely from plastic-based synthetic fibers such as polyester and acrylic which shed microplastics with every hug, squeeze, and wash. That means children are not just bonding with their plushies but they can also be inhaling and ingesting tiny plastic particles, every single day, from the very thing they’re closest to. We’ve already seen a strong interest from toy makers and stakeholders from the industry to drive this material transformation. Stay tuned for more in the coming months…
What’s next?
We’re expanding our R&D to explore circular end-of-life pathways, experimenting with new finishes, and developing more fiber blends to offer a wider range of textures and functions. We’re scaling, and our vision is to make plant-based, plastic-free textiles the new norm, not the exception.
To discover more about these new materials, visit the official website and follow BioFluff on Instagram!
