Founded in 2019, eeden is addressing one of the textile industry's most pressing challenges: the need for scalable, resource-efficient recycling technologies that meet performance and cost expectations. With the sector facing increasing pressures from material volatility, rising costs, and mounting regulatory demands, eeden’s chemical recycling technology offers a timely solution. The company's proprietary process separates cotton-polyester blends into pure cellulose and PET monomers, which can be used to produce virgin-quality lyocell, viscose, and polyester fibers. By enabling the production of high-performance fibers from post-consumer textiles, eeden creates a new pathway for circularity within an industry traditionally dependent on virgin materials.
Steffen Gerlach, CEO and Co-Founder of eeden, emphasized the importance of the milestone, stating,
“Over the past few years, we have developed a proven solution that has the potential to meet the industry’s long-term need for cost-efficient and high-performing circular materials. We are proud that our new and existing investors believe in our approach and share our vision. With their support, we are ready to scale our technology and turn textile waste into materials the industry truly needs.”
The demonstration plant marks the next phase following the successful validation of eeden’s pilot operations with industrial partners, signaling a shift toward commercialization and wider adoption.
The timing of eeden’s scale-up effort aligns with significant regulatory developments. Beginning January 2025, all EU member states will be required to implement separate collection systems for used textiles, dramatically increasing the supply of textile waste and the demand for viable recycling solutions. eeden’s technology, capable of processing complex blended materials at industrial scale, is positioned to help brands and manufacturers navigate the incoming regulatory landscape while meeting their circularity and sustainability goals.
Investor confidence reflects growing market demand for technologies that bridge the gap between environmental responsibility and business viability.
Alex Hoffmann, General Partner at Forbion, remarked,
“eeden has developed a pioneering solution that can make large-scale textile recycling not only technologically feasible but also commercially viable in the near future. We see tremendous potential in their approach and are excited to support the team as they bring this breakthrough technology to industrial scale.”
Similarly, Björn Lang, Partner at TechVision Fund, noted,
“As an early investor, it’s great to see how the team has turned a vision into a validated process and strong strategic partnerships. The progress they’ve made shows what’s possible when the right people and strong science meet real customer needs. We’re excited to keep backing the team as they scale their impact.”
Through partnerships with institutional investors deeply committed to sustainable materials innovation, eeden’s trajectory reflects the broader industry shift toward technologies that enable circular business models.
