The Graz-based start-up Freyzein develops textiles for outdoor fashion, such as sports jackets, entirely without so-called petrochemicals. Instead, cellulose is used. Know-how and support come from the ESA incubation center in Austria.
Living on earth like an astronaut. We do that every day - at least to some extent. Solar technology, water treatment systems, satellite navigation and much more - developments from space travel have become an integral part of our everyday lives. Developments in space travel have influenced all facets of our lives - even our clothing: breathable and moisture-regulating fabrics - in sportswear, for example - can be traced back to spacesuits. Medical workwear cannot do without antimicrobial fabrics, which were originally developed for astronauts in spaceships. And even some winter jackets are filled with the insulating material Mylar, once also developed for space.
“Radical technological innovation”
Developing sustainable outdoor clothing based on space know-how therefore seems only natural - as in the case of the Graz-based start-up Freyzein. This is because existing outdoor clothing has glaring problems, as Jan Karlsson knows: “The world's best-known producers, who cooperate with a wide variety of brands, make their textiles from petrochemicals, i.e. crude oil.” The founder swapped the management of drinks manufacturer Makava for Freyzein after 13 years. The idea: “We take cellulose, the most readily available building material in nature, and produce these very performance textiles. Without any petrochemicals. It's a radical technological innovation,” says the managing director of the six-strong team, which recently opened a research site in Dornbirn.
Know-how from the aerospace industry
The material innovation of nanocellulose-based aerogels has its origins in space travel. Originally developed to provide optimum insulation with minimum weight in the aerospace industry, these high-tech materials not only offer exceptional thermal insulation, but are also environmentally friendly, biodegradable and highly efficient.
These technologies are now being further developed for sustainable outerwear and sportswear. Freyzein is supported by the "ESA Spark Funding Austria" programme, which helps the team move forward with their ideas and make the most of their innovative technologies. The market launch is already planned for 2024. But until then, the team is working flat out on the details - such as the perfect composition of the filling material.
About ESA Spark Funding Austria
ESA Spark Funding Austria is a funding program implementedin collaboration with ESA and the Austrian Aeronautics and Space Agency (FFG/ALR). Austrian companies received zero-equity funding of € 55,000.00 to integrate space technology or space assets/services into existing product lines or create entirely new products/services. Science Park Graz implemented the first call between 2021-2023, and the second one between 2023-2025.