WEARABLE SCIENCE
Sourcing the Future of Fashion
Substanz promotes the bio-based and circular economy by connecting fashion brands with verified bio-based and low-impact materials — from vegan leather alternatives and innovative textiles to specialist trims.
MATERIAL SOURCING
Verified materials, ready to source
Every material is vetted for origin, composition, and certifications before it reaches our network.
Prices in linear meters (155 × 100 cm), excluding VAT, taxes and shipping. Materials are shipped from Germany and Italy.
Orange Fiber® Blend is an innovative bio-based textile made with Orange Fiber®, a branded Lyocell material developed from cellulose derived from citrus juice by-products. The technology transforms citrus by-products that would otherwise be discarded into a textile fibre suitable for fashion and design applications.
Material & Applications
With its bio-based composition, soft hand feel and lightweight character, Orange Fiber® Blend is particularly suited to fashion garments, accessories and other textile applications where innovative and more sustainable material solutions are desired.
The fabric has a shiny, luxurious appearance and a twill weave, making it particularly suitable for elegant lightweight fashion applications.
Technical Specifications & Composition
Composition: 53% Orange Fiber® Lyocell · 47% FSC Viscose
Warp Yarn / Weft Yarn: VISCOSA 84.30.600 DTEX FSC AT LUCIDO GG / LYORANGE NE 40/1
Weaving: Twill
Weight: 190–200 g/mtl
Total width: 155–160 cm
Usable width: 155 cm
Finish: Ready for digital printing
Origin: Italy
Applications
Orange Fiber® Blend is particularly suited to:
Scarves and twillies
Lightweight shirts and tops
Dresses and other lightweight garments
Other lightweight fashion and textile applications
Printing
Orange Fiber® Blend is supplied with a “ready for digital printing” finish and can be purchased either unprinted or together with access to print design and printing services.
The textile is stocked in Como, Italy, with our premium printing partner, making logistics and access to printing services more efficient.
Prices exclude VAT, taxes and shipping. Materials are shipped from Germany.
LOVR™ by Revoltech is a plant-based, plastic-free material. It is primarily made from European industrial hemp agricultural residues, combined with natural additives including waxes, pigments and bio-based glues. The current production version is described by Revoltech as 60% hemp fibre and 99% bio-based, with certification under the USDA BioPreferred® Programme.
With its structured character and single-layer construction, LOVR™ is particularly suited as a reinforcement and structural material in leather goods, as well as for small fashion accessories.
Material & Composition
60% hemp fibre · 99% bio-based · plastic-free · no animal-derived inputs · no synthetic inputs & binders
The hemp fibres are sourced from traceable European agricultural residues, primarily industrial hemp grown for seed production. According to Revoltech, using these residues requires no additional agricultural land or resources.
Biodegradability
Revoltech reports that LOVR™ fully broke down within 320 days in a natural green-waste composting trial at the Botanical Garden Darmstadt. This result was observed under natural composting conditions and is not certification under EN 13432.
The material is designed to remain stable during normal use and degrade under suitable end-of-life conditions involving heat, moisture and microbial activity. Its single-layer structure also enables recycling.
Technical Specifications
Thickness: 0.8 mm
Area weight: approximately 770 g/m²
Area weight at 1 mm: approximately 1,000 g/m²
Applications
LOVR™ is particularly suited to:
Leather reinforcement and structural support
Reinforcement layers and inlays in leather goods
Bags and small leather goods requiring additional structure
The material can be pressed, moulded, embossed, perforated, sanded to create a suede-like surface, coloured with natural pigments, sewn and laminated using existing industrial equipment.
Awards: German Sustainability Award 2025 · German Ecodesign Award 2025 · German Design Award 2025 · Techtextil Innovation Award 2024 · Green Product Award 2024.
Prices exclude VAT, taxes and shipping. Materials are shipped from Germany within the EU or from the US on an EXW basis. Local duties and taxes are not included.
Elevate™ Signature Pebble is a bio-based leather alternative developed by Uncaged Innovations.
Designed for structured bags, accessories and flat, top-stitched applications requiring low stretch and minimal drape, Signature Pebble has a leather appearance and a non-plasticky hand feel.
Material & Composition
95% bio-based plant content / 5% mineral content
Made using non-food agricultural grain by-products
USDA Certified BioPreferred®
Petroleum-free pigments and chemistry
No petroleum-based PU or PVC
Biodegradation
A third-party LCA reports 33% biodegradation within six months under the tested conditions. The material contains less than 1% bio-based PU coating.
Performance
Developed against key ISO performance standards for fashion applications. Technical documentation available upon request.
Technical Specifications
Thickness: 0.9–1.1 mm
Backing: 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton interlock
Stretch: Low
Water resistance: ISO Water Spotting Grade 5 — 16 hours without bubbling or halo formation
Engraving: Suitable for laser engraving
Embossing / stamping: Not recommended
Manufacturing: New York State, USA
Prices exclude VAT, other applicable taxes and shipping. Shipping terms and any VAT exemptions are confirmed with each order.
MuSkin® is a natural, fungus-based biomaterial developed by Grado Zero Lab. Naturally grown and handcrafted from tree fungi, MuSkin® retains its naturally developed fibrous structure, offering a distinctive tactile surface with a soft, suede-like feel. Each piece is unique, with natural variations in size, texture, colour and surface characteristics.
MuSkin® can be used for small accessories such as charms and keychains, as well as for surface embellishments on bags, where it creates a suede-like appearance and texture. The material is odourless and offers good surface durability.
Material & Composition
Made from 100% of the fruiting body (cap) of the fungus Phellinus ellipsoideus
Plastic-free and free from petrochemicals
No synthetic coatings or textile backing in its natural, untreated form
Vegan and animal-free
Biodegradation & Environmental Characteristics
MuSkin® in its pure form, as supplied by Substanz, is biodegradable. Its composition is entirely natural and does not rely on conventional petroleum-based polymers.
Performance & Applications
MuSkin® has a naturally soft, breathable and moisture-absorbing structure. Its ability to absorb and release moisture makes it particularly interesting for applications involving direct skin contact. It also has an antibacterial certification.
It is not fully water-resistant, but can withstand exposure to rainy weather without showing significant damage.
Due to its limited mechanical strength, the material is best suited to small accessories and decorative embellishments. Its small-scale production also limits its suitability for large-scale commercial manufacturing.
Processing recommendation: Laminating or combining MuSkin® with a suitable textile backing is recommended to improve its mechanical strength and facilitate stitching, gluing and other manufacturing processes. Substanz can arrange for a 100% cotton backing upon request.
Although naturally thick, the material can be pressed into a slimmer shape using standard ironing equipment.
Technical Specifications
Material structure: Naturally grown, fibrous, single-layer material
Surface: Soft, suede-like and naturally textured
Thickness: Variable; approximately 0,5-1 cm in its unpressed form
Backing: None in its natural form; 100% cotton backing available in two colours
Breathability: Naturally breathable
Moisture management: Absorbs and releases moisture
Mechanical strength: Reinforcement recommended for applications involving stitching or significant mechanical stress
Appearance: Natural variations in colour, texture, dimensions and surface are inherent to the material
Availability: Supplied as individual pieces, not as conventional running-meter material
Additional options: A pressed Slim finish is available upon request. Produced using heat and pressure, this finish achieves a thinner, smoother and more uniform surface. First- and second-quality selections are available.
· LINEARITY · NULL GRAD · LOOMMU · CONFITURE · ESTER CELLUCCI · LUCKY NELLY · IRO · MACNAS · ANJARA · ARTAVAZD · LOUÉ · University of the Arts London · CISL Alumni · Singapore Fashion Council
· LINEARITY · NULL GRAD · LOOMMU · CONFITURE · ESTER CELLUCCI · LUCKY NELLY · IRO · MACNAS · ANJARA · ARTAVAZD · LOUÉ · University of the Arts London · CISL Alumni · Singapore Fashion Council
TRUSTED MATERIAL SUPPLIER & CONSULTANT TO 20+ BRANDS & INSTITUTIONS
CONSULTANCY
Sustainable materials strategy for fashion brands
From material selection and sourcing to prototyping and production, we help brands make better material decisions and build more reliable supply chains.
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General Consultations can be booked on an hourly basis and are designed for fashion brands, designers and businesses looking for expert guidance on a specific question, challenge or decision related to sustainable materials, bio-materials, sourcing or product development.
These are conversational, focused sessions designed to provide practical insights and help you make informed decisions. You can use the consultation to explore an idea, discuss potential solutions, validate an approach or better understand the available material options.
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Material Selection for Application & Design helps fashion brands navigate the rapidly evolving universe of bio-materials and identify the right sustainable materials for a specific product, design and production process.
We assess performance, aesthetics, technical requirements, material cost and intended application to identify bio materials that are not only a strong fit for the design, but also support the brand’s sustainability and environmental goals.
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We aggregate material orders from multiple brands to help fashion companies meet minimum order quantities (MOQs) and access lower pricing tiers. By combining demand across brands, we can help smaller orders benefit from volume-based pricing while reducing the barriers to accessing innovative sustainable materials.
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We use our access to material producers and suppliers to help fashion brands source the complete sustainable materials package for a design — from shell and lining materials to trims, hardware and other components.
Our sourcing service can cover materials featured on the Substanz sourcing platform as well as materials not currently listed on the platform, allowing us to source according to the specific requirements of each project.
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From first prototype to final production, we connect brands with our network of 25+ trusted European manufacturers specialising in bags, accessories and garments, with experience working with innovative materials and biomaterials. We support material sourcing, sampling, product development and production coordination, helping you navigate technical requirements, minimum order quantities and quality standards while turning your concept into a production-ready product.
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Produced a design but still have extra panels, sheets or linear metres of bio-material left over? We can help you sell excess stock and unlock working capital.
Through our network of fashion brands and designers, we can connect your excess material stock with businesses looking for materials for trims, smaller production runs, prototypes or other applications.
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We help innovative material and fashion brands build visibility and connect with the right industry audiences through targeted marketing, PR and B2B placement. We collaborate with high-profile fashion stylists and styling influencers, and can arrange product placements in leading magazines and during fashion weeks. With a network of 60+ B2B buyers globally, we help brands generate industry exposure, build commercial connections and create opportunities for market entry and growth.
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We create unique, elaborate prototypes that showcase bio-based leather alternatives in their most compelling form. Designed primarily for showrooms, trade fairs, exhibitions and industry presentations rather than commercial production, each piece is developed to highlight the material’s distinctive qualities, textures and creative potential. From sculptural accessories to statement garments and experimental objects, we transform innovative biomaterials into striking physical showcases that capture attention and communicate their possibilities to brands, designers and industry professionals.
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We hold stock of Orange Fiber® blend fabric suitable for foulards, twillies, blouses and lightweight garments. We can develop bespoke print designs tailored to your brand or collection and produce them directly on Orange Fiber® blend fabric in Como, Italy. From creative concept and digital artwork to final printed textiles, we offer an end-to-end service for distinctive, high-quality Orange Fiber® applications.
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For brands requiring more comprehensive support, we provide hands-on consultancy covering the review and development of consumer-facing and corporate communications.
This can include:
Review of product pages, packaging, campaigns and marketing materials.
Review of corporate sustainability communications, including website and brand-level claims.
Review and refinement of environmental and material claims.
Copywriting and rewriting of product and sustainability communications.
Development of clear, evidence-based wording based on available material specifications, certifications, testing and other supporting documentation.
Establishing a consistent approach to environmental claims across different brand communications.
The objective is not to remove sustainability from your communication, but to ensure that the claim reflects what the available evidence actually demonstrates.
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We help fashion brands understand the Digital Product Passport (DPP) requirements applicable to their products and prepare for the implementation of emerging EU product and sustainability legislation.
We also offer DPP Integration Consultancy for brands requiring more comprehensive support. We provide hands-on consultancy to help integrate DPP requirements into the brand’s existing processes, product data and information systems.
Coming in October 2026.
TESTIMONIALS
What partners say
"Working with Anastasia is like unlocking a secret superpower. She moves effortlessly between craft, concept, and people — she makes things work."
Revoltech, Material R&D company
"Anastasia, through Substanz, has become a key figure in the world of bio-based materials — one of the only real bridges between emerging materials and production."
Confiture, Independent Brand
"We are truly thrilled with the products – they are beautiful. We're especially pleased because we have worked for a long time to make the material easier to work with and to find someone capable of showcasing it at its best. We believe we have achieved both goals"
Grado Zero, Material R&D company
KNOWLEDGE
Want to go deeper into materials science?
Frequently Asked Questions
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Bio-materials are not like conventional materials — each has its own qualities, characteristics and behaviour in production. Substanz combines the capabilities of a sourcing platform with expert consulting, enabling brands to make informed decisions when selecting materials.
We don’t simply list suppliers — we understand how each material performs in real-world production, helping brands avoid the technical and sourcing challenges that often emerge later in self-sourced projects. This approach also helps material producers avoid improper applications and negative experiences with their materials by ensuring that each material is matched with suitable products and production processes.
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The aim of the Substanz platform is to make new bio-materials easier to understand and more accessible to brands, while eliminating unnecessary price mark-ups compared with conventional material sourcing.
Our pricing model is designed to give brands direct access to producer-level material pricing, without additional intermediary mark-ups. The platform itself is financed by material producers through membership fees and by the cash flow generated from Substanz’s consulting services. This allows us to separate the cost of our expertise and platform from the price of the materials themselves, creating greater transparency for both brands and material producers.
Our ultimate goal is to grow the European bio-materials market and expand their applications, while facilitating the development and adoption of circular economy solutions. By connecting innovative material producers with brands, designers and manufacturers, Substanz helps accelerate the transition from material innovation to real-world applications and market adoption.
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Substanz promotes the bio-economy and circular economy in Europe by facilitating access to locally and globally produced bio-materials and supporting brands in material decision-making.
For EU-produced materials, all materials are ordered through Substanz and shipped directly to you from EU producers, making the sourcing process simple and efficient while eliminating unnecessary intermediaries.
Samples, colour cards and prototyping quantities from non-EU suppliers are kept in Substanz’s European stock and are available for direct purchase. Commercial quantities are ordered through Substanz and shipped directly from the producer.
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Browse our source materials to see what's currently available, or book a consultation if you'd rather talk through your project first.
Most brands start with a short call so we can point them to the right materials from day one — no generic catalogue browsing required.
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Both. We've worked with independent brands, material R&D companies developing exhibition pieces, independent designers sourcing fabrics for a single collection, and established brands building full circular economy supply chains.
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Our consulting services are divided into General Consultations and Consulting Projects.
General Consultations can be booked on an hourly basis and are typically focused on a specific topic or question based on the brand’s needs. These sessions are conversational and designed to provide expert guidance and practical insights. No referrals or follow-up deliverables are included.
Consulting Projects are goal-oriented engagements focused on a specific outcome, such as identifying a suitable material or finding the right manufacturing partner. Projects are quoted at a flat rate based on an agreed scope of deliverables from Substanz. The available types of consulting projects and their respective scopes can be found on our Consultancy page.
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Before listing any material, Substanz reviews and verifies the claims provided by the producer and collects supporting documentation and certification evidence. This means brands do not need to repeat the same due diligence themselves and can rely on verified information when evaluating materials and developing their own communications.
Certification packages and supporting documentation are available upon request or provided with the material order.
STAY INFORMED