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Rubi Laboratories: These Twins Are Transforming Carbon Into Clothing!

Here at eveelife, we’re big proponents of upcycling. But when we do buy, we buy quite consciously, and it’s because we know how much the fashion industry contributes towards the world’s carbon problem. In fact, they contribute 10 percent of the world’s carbon emissions. Yes, you read that right–10%…which makes it the 3rd worst carbon contributor on the planet.

Fortunately, with pain comes innovation…and some textile brands are doing some incredible things to help reduce their carbon footprints in creative ways. We just found one that we’re literally swooning over. 

Meet Rubi Laboratories, a U.S. startup founded by two brilliant twin sisters, Neeka and Leila Mashouf.  Raised in the redwood forests and coasts of Northern California, they fell in love with trees and nature, the science of how they work, and the materials of which they are made, and both started scientific research careers at the tender age of 15. The fun twist? Their Uncle owned BeBe, the iconic retail store that so many of us grew up loving. So, with both nature and fashion in their blood, a vision was born.

Committed to fighting the destruction of our clean air, water, climate, land, and biodiverse ecosystems, these wonder women done something utterly mindblowing–creating carbon-negative textiles for the fashion industry literally out of air!

Here’s how it works: Rubi Labs has developed a special process that captures CO2 from manufacturing waste streams using their own enzyme system. Then, they convert that gas into a substance called cellulose pulp, which can be used to create yarn or fibers for making textiles.

Normally, viscose (also known as Rayon) is made from wood pulp, which involves cutting down trees. But with Rubi Labs’ innovation, there’s no need to harm any trees. They can make fabrics that are 100% sourced from carbon emissions, and the best part is, it requires very little water or land. Not only that, their process produces zero waste, and when these textiles reach the end of their life, they are naturally biodegrade.

If you want to check out the full story, here’s a video that dives into the full story with the sisters. It’s truly riveting.

Can we all say swoon? Luckily, the investment community agrees. They recently secured an additional $8.7 million in funding, bringing their total funds to $13.5 million, and they’re entering the next phase of testing, while also working on exciting projects with brands like Ganni, Patagonia, Reformation, and Nuuly.

It’s so encouraging to see such brilliant innovations coming to light, and it gives us hope for a brighter future. Stay tuned for new news on Rubi’s materials as we start seeing their products hit the market!