WEARABLE SCIENCE
Sourcing the Future of Fashion
Substanz promotes the bio-based and circular economy by connecting fashion brands with verified bio-based and low-impact materials — from vegan leather alternatives and innovative textiles to specialist trims.
MATERIAL SOURCING
Verified materials, ready to source
Every material is vetted for origin, composition, and certifications before it reaches our network.
Prices in linear meters (166×100cm), exclude VAT, taxes and shipping. Materials are shipped from Germany.
Cypress Denim, developed by Grado Zero Lab, is a recycled cotton denim made with fibres derived from Japanese cypress, a tree variety known for its natural antibacterial and antiseptic properties. The material was developed following research into the interaction between natural fibres and human skin.
With its natural-fibre composition and antibacterial performance, Cypress Denim is particularly suited to skin-contact applications and fashion garments.
Material & Composition
94% recycled cotton · 6% cypress · ECOTEC® certified cotton · natural indigo dyes · made in Italy
The cotton is produced from 100% pre-consumer recycled textile cut & leftovers, collected from textile plants and transformed into yarn in Italy. The production cycle is fully traceable, and the resulting yarns are suitable for high-quality textile production.
Antibacterial Performance
Cypress Denim has been tested according to UNI EN ISO 2064 for antibacterial efficiency against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus.
The fabric demonstrated a reduction in bacterial growth of:
60% against Klebsiella pneumoniae
85% against Staphylococcus aureus
Cypress is also traditionally associated with relaxing properties in certain wellness and feng-shui practices; these properties are not presented as a medical or therapeutic claim.
Technical Specifications
Composition: 94% recycled cotton · 6% cypress
Weight: 125 g/m² (3.5 oz.)
Total width: 166 cm (65.35 in.)
Usable width: 164 cm (64.56 in.)
Applications
Cypress Denim is particularly suited to:
Light shirts, lightweight jackets (interfacing required) and other summer / Spring fashion garments
Skin-contact garments: applications where recycled fibres and antibacterial textile performance are relevant
Prices exclude VAT, taxes and shipping. Materials are shipped from Germany.
LOVR™ by Revoltech is a plant-based, plastic-free material. It is primarily made from European industrial hemp agricultural residues, combined with natural additives including waxes, pigments and bio-based glues. The current production version is described by Revoltech as 60% hemp fibre and 99% bio-based, with certification under the USDA BioPreferred® Programme.
With its structured character and single-layer construction, LOVR™ is particularly suited as a reinforcement and structural material in leather goods, as well as for small fashion accessories.
Material & Composition
60% hemp fibre · 99% bio-based · plastic-free · no animal-derived inputs · no synthetic inputs & binders
The hemp fibres are sourced from traceable European agricultural residues, primarily industrial hemp grown for seed production. According to Revoltech, using these residues requires no additional agricultural land or resources.
Biodegradability
Revoltech reports that LOVR™ fully broke down within 320 days in a natural green-waste composting trial at the Botanical Garden Darmstadt. This result was observed under natural composting conditions and is not certification under EN 13432.
The material is designed to remain stable during normal use and degrade under suitable end-of-life conditions involving heat, moisture and microbial activity. Its single-layer structure also enables recycling.
Technical Specifications
Thickness: 0.8 mm
Area weight: approximately 770 g/m²
Area weight at 1 mm: approximately 1,000 g/m²
Applications
LOVR™ is particularly suited to:
Leather reinforcement and structural support
Reinforcement layers and inlays in leather goods
Bags and small leather goods requiring additional structure
The material can be pressed, moulded, embossed, perforated, sanded to create a suede-like surface, coloured with natural pigments, sewn and laminated using existing industrial equipment.
Awards: German Sustainability Award 2025 · German Ecodesign Award 2025 · German Design Award 2025 · Techtextil Innovation Award 2024 · Green Product Award 2024.
Prices exclude VAT, taxes and shipping. Materials are shipped from Germany within the EU or from the US on an EXW basis. Local duties and taxes are not included.
Elevate™ Signature Pebble is a bio-based leather alternative developed by Uncaged Innovations.
Designed for structured bags, accessories and flat, top-stitched applications requiring low stretch and minimal drape, Signature Pebble has a leather appearance and a non-plasticky hand feel.
Material & Composition
95% bio-based plant content / 5% mineral content
Made using non-food agricultural grain by-products
USDA Certified BioPreferred®
Petroleum-free pigments and chemistry
No petroleum-based PU or PVC
Biodegradation
A third-party LCA reports 33% biodegradation within six months under the tested conditions. The material contains less than 1% bio-based PU coating.
Performance
Developed against key ISO performance standards for fashion applications. Technical documentation available upon request.
Technical Specifications
Thickness: 0.9–1.1 mm
Backing: 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton interlock
Stretch: Low
Water resistance: ISO Water Spotting Grade 5 — 16 hours without bubbling or halo formation
Engraving: Suitable for laser engraving
Embossing / stamping: Not recommended
Manufacturing: New York State, USA
Prices exclude VAT, taxes and shipping. Materials are shipped from Germany.
MIRUM® is a bio-based leather alternative developed by Natural Fiber Welding.
Designed for structured bags, small leather goods, belts, accessories and top-stitched applications requiring low stretch and minimal drape, MIRUM® has a premium leather-like appearance and a natural, non-plasticky hand feel.
Material & Composition
100% bio-based content
USDA Certified BioPreferred®
Plastic-free
Made from FSC-certified natural rubber, plant oils, agricultural by-products including cork and coconut husk, natural fibres, mineral fillers and natural pigments
No petroleum-based PU or PVC
Biodegradation
MIRUM® is biodegradable.
Performance
MIRUM® is water-resistant and designed for structured applications. ISO durability testing is currently not available.
Technical Specifications
Thickness: 1.2 mm
Backing: 100% Lyocell jersey
Colours / Finishes: Olive Pebbled, Cognac Pebbled
Engraving: Suitable for laser engraving
Embossing / heat stamping: Not generally recommended
Manufacturing: Illinois, USA
· LINEARITY · NULL GRAD · LOOMMU · CONFITURE · ESTER CELLUTTI · LUCKY NELLY · IRO · MACNAS · ANJARA · ARTAVAZD · LOUÉ · University of the Arts London · CISL Alumni · Singapore Fashion Council
· LINEARITY · NULL GRAD · LOOMMU · CONFITURE · ESTER CELLUTTI · LUCKY NELLY · IRO · MACNAS · ANJARA · ARTAVAZD · LOUÉ · University of the Arts London · CISL Alumni · Singapore Fashion Council
TRUSTED MATERIAL SUPPLIER & CONSULTANT TO 20+ BRANDS & INSTITUTIONS
CONSULTANCY
Sustainable materials strategy for fashion brands
From material selection and sourcing to prototyping and production, we help brands make better material decisions and build more reliable supply chains.
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General Consultations can be booked on an hourly basis and are designed for fashion brands, designers and businesses looking for expert guidance on a specific question, challenge or decision related to sustainable materials, bio-materials, sourcing or product development.
These are conversational, focused sessions designed to provide practical insights and help you make informed decisions. You can use the consultation to explore an idea, discuss potential solutions, validate an approach or better understand the available material options.
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Material Selection for Application & Design helps fashion brands navigate the rapidly evolving universe of bio-materials and identify the right sustainable materials for a specific product, design and production process.
We assess performance, aesthetics, technical requirements, material cost and intended application to identify bio materials that are not only a strong fit for the design, but also support the brand’s sustainability and environmental goals.
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We aggregate material orders from multiple brands to help fashion companies meet minimum order quantities (MOQs) and access lower pricing tiers. By combining demand across brands, we can help smaller orders benefit from volume-based pricing while reducing the barriers to accessing innovative sustainable materials.
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We use our access to material producers and suppliers to help fashion brands source the complete sustainable materials package for a design — from shell and lining materials to trims, hardware and other components.
Our sourcing service can cover materials featured on the Substanz sourcing platform as well as materials not currently listed on the platform, allowing us to source according to the specific requirements of each project.
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From first prototype to final production, we connect brands with our network of 25+ trusted European manufacturers specialising in bags, accessories and garments, with experience working with innovative materials and biomaterials. We support material sourcing, sampling, product development and production coordination, helping you navigate technical requirements, minimum order quantities and quality standards while turning your concept into a production-ready product.
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Produced a design but still have extra panels, sheets or linear metres of bio-material left over? We can help you sell excess stock and unlock working capital.
Through our network of fashion brands and designers, we can connect your excess material stock with businesses looking for materials for trims, smaller production runs, prototypes or other applications.
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We help innovative material and fashion brands build visibility and connect with the right industry audiences through targeted marketing, PR and B2B placement. We collaborate with high-profile fashion stylists and styling influencers, and can arrange product placements in leading magazines and during fashion weeks. With a network of 60+ B2B buyers globally, we help brands generate industry exposure, build commercial connections and create opportunities for market entry and growth.
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We create unique, elaborate prototypes that showcase bio-based leather alternatives in their most compelling form. Designed primarily for showrooms, trade fairs, exhibitions and industry presentations rather than commercial production, each piece is developed to highlight the material’s distinctive qualities, textures and creative potential. From sculptural accessories to statement garments and experimental objects, we transform innovative biomaterials into striking physical showcases that capture attention and communicate their possibilities to brands, designers and industry professionals.
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We hold stock of Orange Fiber® blend fabric suitable for foulards, twillies, blouses and lightweight garments. We can develop bespoke print designs tailored to your brand or collection and produce them directly on Orange Fiber® blend fabric in Como, Italy. From creative concept and digital artwork to final printed textiles, we offer an end-to-end service for distinctive, high-quality Orange Fiber® applications.
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We help fashion brands understand the Digital Product Passport (DPP) requirements applicable to their products and prepare for the implementation of emerging EU product and sustainability legislation.
We also offer DPP Integration Consultancy for brands requiring more comprehensive support. We provide hands-on consultancy to help integrate DPP requirements into the brand’s existing processes, product data and information systems.
Coming in October 2026.
TESTIMONIALS
What partners say
"Working with Anastasia is like unlocking a secret superpower. She moves effortlessly between craft, concept, and people — she makes things work."
Revoltech, Material R&D company
"Anastasia, through Substanz, has become a key figure in the world of bio-based materials — one of the only real bridges between emerging materials and production."
Confiture, Independent Brand
"We are truly thrilled with the products – they are beautiful. We're especially pleased because we have worked for a long time to make the material easier to work with and to find someone capable of showcasing it at its best. We believe we have achieved both goals"
Grado Zero, Material R&D company
KNOWLEDGE
Want to go deeper into materials science?
Frequently Asked Questions
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Bio-materials are not like conventional materials — each has its own qualities, characteristics and behaviour in production. Substanz combines the capabilities of a sourcing platform with expert consulting, enabling brands to make informed decisions when selecting materials.
We don’t simply list suppliers — we understand how each material performs in real-world production, helping brands avoid the technical and sourcing challenges that often emerge later in self-sourced projects. This approach also helps material producers avoid improper applications and negative experiences with their materials by ensuring that each material is matched with suitable products and production processes.
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The aim of the Substanz platform is to make new bio-materials easier to understand and more accessible to brands, while eliminating unnecessary price mark-ups compared with conventional material sourcing.
Our pricing model is designed to give brands direct access to producer-level material pricing, without additional intermediary mark-ups. The platform itself is financed by material producers through membership fees and by the cash flow generated from Substanz’s consulting services. This allows us to separate the cost of our expertise and platform from the price of the materials themselves, creating greater transparency for both brands and material producers.
Our ultimate goal is to grow the European bio-materials market and expand their applications, while facilitating the development and adoption of circular economy solutions. By connecting innovative material producers with brands, designers and manufacturers, Substanz helps accelerate the transition from material innovation to real-world applications and market adoption.
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Substanz promotes the bio-economy and circular economy in Europe by facilitating access to locally and globally produced bio-materials and supporting brands in material decision-making.
For EU-produced materials, all materials are ordered through Substanz and shipped directly to you from EU producers, making the sourcing process simple and efficient while eliminating unnecessary intermediaries.
Samples, colour cards and prototyping quantities from non-EU suppliers are kept in Substanz’s European stock and are available for direct purchase. Commercial quantities are ordered through Substanz and shipped directly from the producer.
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Browse our source materials to see what's currently available, or book a consultation if you'd rather talk through your project first.
Most brands start with a short call so we can point them to the right materials from day one — no generic catalogue browsing required.
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Both. We've worked with independent brands, material R&D companies developing exhibition pieces, independent designers sourcing fabrics for a single collection, and established brands building full circular economy supply chains.
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Our consulting services are divided into General Consultations and Consulting Projects.
General Consultations can be booked on an hourly basis and are typically focused on a specific topic or question based on the brand’s needs. These sessions are conversational and designed to provide expert guidance and practical insights. No referrals or follow-up deliverables are included.
Consulting Projects are goal-oriented engagements focused on a specific outcome, such as identifying a suitable material or finding the right manufacturing partner. Projects are quoted at a flat rate based on an agreed scope of deliverables from Substanz. The available types of consulting projects and their respective scopes can be found on our Consultancy page.
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Before listing any material, Substanz reviews and verifies the claims provided by the producer and collects supporting documentation and certification evidence. This means brands do not need to repeat the same due diligence themselves and can rely on verified information when evaluating materials and developing their own communications.
Certification packages and supporting documentation are available upon request or provided with the material order.
STAY INFORMED