Everybody in the Pool E110: Simplifyber and a plastic-free textiles future
Nov 6, 2025
Maria Intscher-Owrang, CEO and co-founder of Simplifyber, dives into revolutionizing textiles by using plant cellulose for 3D-molded parts, eliminating plastic dependency. She explains how complex production steps are simplified, drastically reducing environmental impact—up to 30 times less for shoe uppers. Maria also discusses scalability advantages of compression molding, partnerships with GANNI and Kia, and the potential for localized supply chains. Her vision extends to reshaping labor dynamics in the fashion industry, enhancing the value of artisanal work.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Designer-Turned-Founder Origin Story
- Maria trained at Central Saint Martins and worked in European luxury fashion for 15 years before pivoting to sustainable design.
- Her fashion background and early work with eco designers led her to invent Simplifyber to scale natural materials.
Why Polyester Won
- Polyester dominated because fossil-based plastics gained scale and were subsidized, driving prices down versus natural fibers.
- Natural fibers are often superior in durability and end-of-life but lost out to plastics due to manufacturing and policy factors.
One-Step Supply-Chain Shift
- Simplifyber replaces multiple supply-chain steps with one molding step to reduce markups and logistics.
- Starting with raw cellulose lets them avoid amplified costs from traditional textile supply chains.