German clean-tech startup eeden has successfully closed a €18 million Series A funding round, marking a key milestone in its mission to revolutionize the textile industry with sustainable fiber regeneration technology. The funds will support eeden in building a demonstration plant in Münster, refining its chemical recycling process, and initiating commercial partnerships with leading textile manufacturers.
From Lab Innovation to Industry-Ready Scale
eeden has spent the past few years developing a textile-to-textile recycling process that separates cotton-polyester blends into their core components: cellulose and PET monomers. These can then be reintroduced into the production cycle as virgin-quality fibers, including lyocell, viscose, and polyester.
With the new investment, eeden will move beyond laboratory operations and focus on scaling its process for industrial application. The Münster demonstration plant will allow for continuous testing and optimization, while also supplying actual materials for use by fiber producers and fashion brands.
A Coalition of Support
The Series A round was led by Forbion through its BioEconomy Fund, highlighting eeden’s alignment with both ecological and economic priorities. New investors Henkel dx Ventures and NRW.Venture joined the round, along with returning backers High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), TechVision Fund (TVF), and D11Z.Ventures.
This combination of investors—from biotech to consumer goods—reflects a shared belief in the urgency of creating sustainable, circular textile systems.
Responding to Regulatory and Environmental Needs
The textile industry is under pressure to address resource scarcity, environmental damage, and increased regulatory oversight. With the EU mandating separate collection systems for used textiles by 2025, companies are racing to adopt sustainable alternatives.
eeden’s technology offers a practical and timely solution, capable of processing complex blends that other recycling methods can’t handle. Its approach helps manufacturers reduce dependency on virgin resources and cut down on textile waste—both crucial to achieving climate goals.
Leadership Perspective
Steffen Gerlach, Co-Founder and CEO of eeden, said:
“We’ve developed a proven solution that responds directly to the industry’s need for cost-efficient, high-performing, and sustainable materials. With the support of our investors, we’re ready to scale and bring real impact.”
Alex Hoffmann, General Partner at Forbion, added:
“eeden makes large-scale textile recycling not only technologically possible but commercially realistic. We believe in the team and the market potential.”
