Fibarcode | Ann Arbor, MI
The Team: Textiles are one of the largest growing waste streams in Michigan and across America and it has been estimated that recycling those textiles could capture an estimated $100B per year globally. A key challenge in recycling textile waste economically is item identification. Fibarcode is focused on developing a spectroscopic barcode integrated into a fiber, which itself can be interlaced directly into fabrics and apparel using standard textile manufacturing processes. This fiber could allow for an indelible method of communicating critical item-level information from the point of manufacture to post-consumer collection and sorting into appropriate resale, repair, and recycling feedstocks.
NextCycle Michigan Project: The Fibarcode team will focus on refining its business plan, identifying additional project partners and investors, and locating feedstock.
Additional Information:
Website - www.fibarcode.com
Radio/Podcast - Stateside (Michigan Public, Feb 2023) *starting at 12:27 mark
Podcast - Circular Solutions: Textile Barcoding with Brian Iezzi (The Fashion Connection, May 2023)