Everbloom AI Transforms Chicken Feathers into Cashmere

The Rise of Affordable Cashmere and Its Hidden Costs

Cashmere sweaters have become increasingly prevalent, frequently offered at remarkably low prices. The attraction is readily apparent: those who have experienced the luxury of cashmere appreciate its softness, lightweight feel, and warmth – a truly exceptional fiber that is difficult to forgo. However, these enticingly low price points often conceal underlying issues.

The Limited Supply of Authentic Cashmere

Genuine cashmere originates from the delicate undercoat of specific goat breeds. Typically, each goat is sheared twice annually, yielding only four to six ounces (113 to 170 grams) of cashmere per year. This limited supply struggles to meet the demands of a continually expanding market.

“Raw material producers are facing considerable pressure,” explains Sim Gulati, co-founder and CEO of Everbloom, in an interview with TechCrunch. “The proliferation of $50 cashmere sweaters indicates more frequent shearing. This compromises fiber quality and fosters unsustainable herding practices.”

Everbloom's Innovative Approach: Upcycled Materials

Instead of attempting to reform herding methods or persuade consumers to prioritize only high-quality cashmere, Gulati and the Everbloom team pursued a different strategy. The startup, backed by over $8 million in investment from firms like Hoxton Ventures and SOSV, aimed to develop an upcycled material virtually indistinguishable from authentic cashmere.

To achieve this, Everbloom developed a material science AI known as Braid.AI. This model allows for precise adjustments to various parameters, enabling the creation of fibers with diverse characteristics. While cashmere is a primary focus, the technology extends to other materials commonly used within the textile industry.

The Core Process: Keratin-Based Upcycling

Everbloom’s fundamental process remains consistent regardless of the intended final product. Currently, the company gathers waste materials from various points in the fiber supply chain, including cashmere and wool farms, mills, and suppliers of down bedding. Future plans include incorporating waste from the poultry industry, specifically feathers.

These waste streams share a crucial commonality: they all contain keratin, the essential protein that forms the foundation of Everbloom’s innovative process.

From Waste to Fiber: A Two-Step Transformation

The collected waste is processed by being chopped to a uniform size and then combined with proprietary compounds. This mixture is then fed into a plastic extrusion machine, which shapes the material by forcing it through a die. The resulting pellets are subsequently processed by spinning machines typically used for polyester fiber production.

“This equipment is utilized in 80% of the textile market,” Gulati notes. “It’s essential to be a direct replacement for existing processes.”

All necessary chemical reactions occur within these two machines, allowing Everbloom to replicate fibers ranging from polyester to cashmere by utilizing its AI to refine the formulation and processing parameters.

Biodegradability and Economic Viability

The startup asserts that every fiber it produces will be biodegradable, including the polyester alternative. “All of our components are biodegradable,” Gulati confirms, adding that the company is currently conducting accelerated testing to validate this claim.

Furthermore, utilizing waste products significantly reduces the environmental impact. The process is also projected to be more cost-effective.

“Our goal is to offer a more economically attractive option for both brands and consumers,” Gulati states. “I don’t subscribe to the notion of a ‘sustainable premium’ – the idea that eco-friendly products should be more expensive. A successful material must deliver both a product benefit and an economic advantage to everyone involved. That’s precisely what we’re striving for.”