The Seeds Of A New Supply Chain

"We can build on tiny steps to create a massive revolution." 

What if the coat that keeps you warm in winter could also help to cool the climate?

Deep in Somerset, biomaterials company Ponda are growing a new type of insulation in rewetted peatlands. BioPuff is soft, lightweight and high performance. As CEO Julian Ellis-Brown explains, it also heals the very landscape it comes from.

Wetlands are the most powerful land-based carbon stores on Earth. They boost biodiversity and support livelihoods, but these precious ecosystems have become drained and damaged.

Typha Latifolia, or bulrushes, are plants that are highly suited to restoring wetlands. Over millions of years, their seed clusters have evolved to hold air pockets that allow them to blow around in the wind. This unique structure also makes the fibres ideal for insulation.

Ponda aren’t just planting the seeds of a regenerative future – they’re building a material supply chain from the ground up.

As an alternative to goose down and synthetic fibres, BioPuff is being used to create plant-based puffer jackets and other garments. Innovative fibres like this could be transformative for the sector. As COO Neloufar Taheri points out, “over 80% of the fashion industry's environmental impact comes from material sourcing”.

To scale BioPuff’s impact, Ponda are ensuring the crop can be farmed profitably, engineering their manufacturing line for greater volumes, and working with brands to integrate the material into existing products.

The result? Regeneration is trending. Ponda’s recent high-profile collaborations include Net-a-Porter, Parley for the Oceans, and Stella McCartney.

Thanks to this pioneering material, an investment piece in your wardrobe can also be an investment in the planet.

To learn more about Ponda, visit their website.