Ten ways we support your material strategy

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.

Sessions are tailored to your needs and can cover topics such as material selection, material properties and applications, sustainable material alternatives, sourcing options, production considerations, cost considerations, or the feasibility of a particular material or design concept.

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.

The consultation does not include material sourcing, supplier referrals, prototyping, production services or follow-up deliverables. These services can be booked separately where required.

Service Fee:
€60 per hour

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.

Includes:

• Analysis of the project’s sustainability goals, including bio-content targets, circularity objectives, intended distribution markets, etc.

• Analysis of the design requirements for one garment.

• Recommendation of up to 5 suitable main design materials, based on the intended application, performance requirements, cost considerations and production feasibility.

• Recommendations for adapting the design to meet material and manufacturing requirements.

• Trims and ancillary materials can be recommended if Complete Sourcing Consultancy is requested.

Deliverables:

• Material Selection Presentation, including a detailed assessment of the recommended materials and their suitability for the intended application and garment requirements, together with recommendations for design improvements based on material properties and manufacturing requirements.

• Dynamic Production Cost Model, including the cost of the recommended material and assumptions for trims and production, with the aim of achieving the desired overall garment cost.

The Consultancy Fee Does Not Include:

• The cost of the suggested material or any other materials and services required for the realisation of the project.

• Prototyping or production services.

• Material sourcing or negotiation of pricing and MOQs.

• Introductions or referrals to material manufacturers, garment manufacturers or other production partners.

• DPP analysis or any other regulatory analysis.

Delivery:
Typically within 1 month of receiving all required project information.

Package Fee:
€500

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.

How it works:

Send us a request including the material name, finish, required quantity and project timeline, and we will match your requirements with orders from other brands where possible to help you reach the required volume and access better pricing tiers.

Service Fee:
Free of charge.

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.

Includes:

• Sourcing of materials and trims for prototypes and production based on the brand’s selection, which is to be provided to us.

• Negotiation of the required material quantities with material producers to obtain the best possible terms for your company, including bundling orders with those of other brands to help meet minimum order quantities (MOQs).

The Service Does Not Include:

• The cost of the materials and trims sourced.

• Any additional costs associated with the purchase and delivery of the materials, including shipping, taxes, customs duties and other applicable charges.

Note:

Materials and trims are purchased by the brands directly from the material producer or supplier, ensuring full price transparency and no intermediary mark-up.

Service Fee:
€250

From the first prototype to final production, we help fashion brands navigate the process of finding the right manufacturing partner for products made with sustainable materials, bio-materials and other innovative materials.

Through our network of 25+ trusted European and global manufacturers specialising in bags, accessories and garments, we identify production partners with the technical capabilities and experience required for your specific project. Our network includes manufacturing partners in Germany, Spain, Italy, France, the UK, Poland, Portugal, Colombia, Ukraine and Türkiye.

We consider not only the product and material requirements, but also the brand’s commercial and production objectives to identify the most suitable manufacturing partner for each project.

Includes:

• Selection and referral to 2–3 suitable manufacturing partners with experience working with bio-materials and other innovative materials.

• Matching manufacturers to the brand’s specific requirements, including:

  • Geographic location of production

  • Location and availability of raw materials

  • Desired production cost

  • Complexity and technical requirements of the design

  • Desired minimum order quantities (MOQs)

  • Required production capabilities and quality standards

• Introduction to the selected manufacturing partners and support in establishing the initial communication.

We help bridge the gap between material innovation and production, connecting brands with manufacturers capable of turning innovative material concepts into commercially viable, production-ready products.

Service Does Not Include:

• Project management or ongoing coordination with the manufacturer.

• Manufacturing or prototyping services.

• Material and production costs.

• Any other services provided directly by the selected manufacturers.

All manufacturing, prototyping and related services are contracted and paid for separately by the brand directly to the selected manufacturer.

Service Fee:
€300 per referral (2-3 manufacturers).

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.

How it works:

Send us the following details:

• Material name and type

• Finish

• Available quantity

• Country where the material is stored

• Material quality and condition

• Your asking price

• Whether you are prepared to cover shipping costs (Ex Works)

We will present the material to relevant brands in our network and help you find a buyer for your excess stock.

Pricing Note:

• As a general reference, deadstock materials are typically offered at around 50% of their original value, depending on the material, condition, quantity and market demand.

• The final selling price is agreed between the seller and buyer.

Important:

Substanz acts as an intermediary connecting the seller with potential buyers and does not purchase or take ownership of the material.

• Substanz does not bear the cost of shipping, local taxes, customs duties or other costs associated with the transfer of the material.

• Shipping terms and costs are agreed between the seller and buyer.

• Substanz arranges payment for the material on behalf of the buyer, deducting our commission from the agreed sale price and transferring the remaining amount to the seller.

Service Fee:
10% of the ex-works value of the material sold.

We help innovative material and fashion brands build visibility and connect with the right industry audiences through targeted marketing, PR and B2B placement opportunities.

We work with a network of high-profile fashion stylists, styling influencers, media contacts and industry professionals, and can facilitate product placements in editorial shoots and fashion week activities.

With a network of 60+ B2B buyers globally, we help brands generate industry exposure, establish commercial connections and create opportunities for market entry, sales and growth.

Includes:

• Targeted introductions to relevant fashion industry contacts based on your brand, product and objectives.

• Opportunities for product placement with fashion stylists and styling influencers.

• Facilitation of product placements for editorial shoots and fashion week activities, where relevant opportunities are available.

• Introduction to selected B2B buyers from our global network.

• Support in establishing the initial connection between the brand and relevant industry contacts.

Service Does Not Include:

• Fees charged by PR agencies, showrooms, stylists, influencers, publications, fashion weeks or other third parties.

• Product, sample, shipping or other costs associated with placements.

• Any other third-party costs not directly related to the consultancy service.

Service Fees

• Marketing & PR Referrals:
  Depending on the selected referral package, starting from €50.

• B2B Buyer Introductions:
  €150 flat administration fee + 15% of the value of any order placed by the introduced buyer. Orders are not guaranteed.

The 15% success fee applies only to orders resulting from a buyer introduction made through Substanz.

We create unique, elaborate prototypes that showcase bio-based leather alternatives and other innovative materials 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 and statement bags to experimental garments and objects, we transform innovative biomaterials into striking physical showcases that capture attention and communicate their possibilities to brands, designers and industry professionals.

Includes:

• Development and production of one working prototype of the selected bag or accessory using the chosen material.

• Integration of the relevant trims, hardware, components and structural elements required for the prototype.

• Prototype development focused on showcasing the material’s aesthetic, tactile and technical potential.

Service Does Not Include:

• Tech pack development.

• Cost of materials, trims, hardware and other components required for the prototype.

• Commercial production or manufacturing.

Service Fees

• Accessories: from €50. Final fee depends on the design complexity, materials and timeline.

• Bags: from €350. Final fee depends on the design complexity, materials and timeline.

• Garments and other complex prototypes: price available upon request, depending on the design, complexity and timeline.

The final service fee is confirmed after reviewing the proposed design and project requirements.

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, collection or creative concept and produce them directly on Orange Fiber® blend fabric in Como, Italy.

We work with four experienced print designers and illustrators, each with a distinctive artistic style, allowing us to match the creative direction and aesthetic requirements of each project.

From creative concept and digital artwork to final printed textiles, we provide an end-to-end service for creating distinctive, high-quality Orange Fiber® applications.

The service can include:

• Selection of Orange Fiber® blend fabric from our available stock.

• Development of bespoke print designs tailored to your brand or collection.

• Collaboration with the most suitable designer or illustrator from our network based on your desired creative direction and aesthetic.

• Digital artwork development and preparation for textile printing.

• Printing of the approved design directly onto Orange Fiber® blend fabric in Como, Italy.

• Coordination of the process from creative development through to the finished printed textile.

This service is particularly suitable for limited editions, statement textiles, scarves, foulards, twillies and lightweight fashion applications.

Service Fee:

• On request, depending on the scope of the project, number of designs and complexity of the digital artwork.

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.

Our service is available in two formats:

DPP Assessment – Hourly Consultation

An hour-based consultation designed to help brands understand:

• Whether and how DPP legislation applies to their products.

• Which product categories and materials may be affected.

• What information and data may need to be collected and made available.

• The key requirements and implementation considerations for their business.

• What steps the brand should take to prepare for compliance.

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 and data systems.

The project is led by a consultant with experience at Big Four consulting firms and specialising in sustainability-related legislation and regulatory requirements.

Important: DPP requirements are evolving, and applicability and implementation timelines depend on the relevant product category and applicable EU legislation. The service provides commercial and regulatory implementation guidance and does not constitute legal advice.

Coming in October 2026