After the new biomaterial Lunaform was presented to the public for the first time at the Balenciaga show at the beginning of October during Paris Fashion Week, the US start-up Gozen was now able to secure a financial injection of 3.3 million US dollars. The company said the financing came from forward-thinking investors such as Happiness Capital (Lead Investor), Accelr8, Astor Management and SOSV.
With the latest investment, the start-up wants to advance its plans to open a new facility in Turkey, which will have an annual production capacity of over 90,000 square meters. “At Gozen, we produce advanced biomaterials that have the potential to enable circular design. With this investment, we have shown that we have a way to realize this potential at scale,” says Ece Gozen, founder and CEO of Gozen.
The new material is particularly interesting for applications in the fashion, automotive and furniture industries. Lunaform is a leather-like material, vegan, GMO and plastic-free and avoids the use of harsh synthetic chemicals. It is based on plant-based raw materials and is produced by microorganisms in a fermentation process. The material does not consist of microorganisms, but is the product of their activity. Unlike plant-based composite leathers that are constructed in layers, Lunaform is made from a single, fully formed 3D material with high tensile strength and natural flexibility. With a thickness starting at just 0.2 millimeters, it is stronger and finer than traditional animal leather and is characterized by a natural drape and softness. Thickness and structure can also be changed.
Lunaform formation requires a nutrient-rich environment in which microorganisms produce intricate, ultracrystalline patterns. After adding natural substances, a three-dimensional material begins to form. This material manufacturing process takes ten days and avoids the need for tanning or preservation.