Seattle‑based startup Ravel secured $8.2 million in seed funding to develop a chemical‑recycling process that breaks down spandex fibers, a notoriously difficult component in textile waste streams. The capital, sourced from a mix of angel investors and early‑stage venture funds, will be used to scale pilot plants and refine the proprietary depolymerization technology that can separate elastane from blended fabrics without degrading the remaining fibers.
Spandex, commonly blended with polyester and cotton, accounts for a sizable share of landfill‑bound garments because conventional recycling methods cannot efficiently separate it. Ravel's solution promises to unlock higher recovery rates for mixed‑material apparel, reducing reliance on virgin polyester and lowering the carbon footprint of the fashion industry. If successful, the technology could enable closed‑loop recycling loops for performance wear and active‑wear brands that heavily rely on stretch fabrics.
Environmental groups have welcomed the development, noting that textile waste is a growing pollutant. Yet skeptics caution that scaling chemical recycling to industrial volumes remains a hurdle, and the economic viability will depend on the cost of feedstock and market demand for reclaimed fibers. Ravel's progress will be closely watched as the sector seeks sustainable alternatives to fast‑fashion waste.
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