With innovative technology that converts CO₂ into sustainable fibers, Rubi is revolutionizing the textile industry with the support of CMPC Ventures.
According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world. Specifically, it is responsible for emitting 8% of global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and for 20% of global water waste. Its impact, in terms of carbon emissions, exceeds that of all international flights and maritime shipments combined.
In this context, in 2021, twin sisters Neeka and Leila Mashouf founded Rubi, a Silicon Valley startup pioneering the next era of manufacturing with technology that transforms residual carbon into essential materials, including textiles. Rubi’s biocatalysis technology converts industrial CO₂ emissions and other CO₂-derived raw materials into pure cellulose pulp, which can be spun into various fabrics and seamlessly integrated into textile production processes.
In this way, Rubi has worked with several brands for pilot testing and product quality validation.
This is precisely what caught the attention of CMPC Ventures, which invested in Rubi at the end of last year to contribute to the company’s growth and positioning, supporting the scalability of its technology to a pilot phase.
“This investment marks CMPC’s first foray into the vibrant Silicon Valley ecosystem in the United States, complementing our portfolio of fiber- and wood-based solutions, which already includes strategic holdings in companies in Sweden, Finland, and England. We are not only aiming to support the growth of this startup, but also to accelerate the path toward a more responsible and sustainable textile industry in line with the needs of our planet,” said CMPC Ventures manager Bernardita Araya.
Neeka Mashouf, Rubi’s co-founder and CEO, added, “The backing of CMPC Ventures propels Rubi as we pioneer a future where manufacturing is planet-positive and radically more efficient. We hope to transform the textile industry with our sustainable fibers, which can drastically reduce carbon, water, and land footprints, and pave the way for Rubi’s expansion into other essential materials and chemicals.”
Rubi recognitions
Recently, the startup was selected by the prestigious climate tech accelerator Third Derivative Accelerator of RMI to be part of its “Industrial Innovation Cohorts” initiative, a program that promotes the implementation of environmental solutions in industries that currently rely heavily on fossil fuel-based processes. Likewise, Rubi’s co-founders have also been recognized in the sustainable fashion industry after being included in the Business of Fashion 500 list, which highlights influential leaders in the sector.
