Tera Mira

We are developing a bio-based, compostable alternative to elastane, replacing a fossil-fuel-dependent material in fashion with a sustainable, circular solution that is non-toxic, high-performing, and compatible with existing manufacturing processes to drive industry-wide change.

Define the problem/need you are solving or addressing with your project. How does it address the Open Call criteria, such as environmental impact, social engagement, circularity, user experience, resource efficiency, and community-driven solutions?

Fashion’s reliance on fossil-fuel-based elastane contributes to resource depletion, pollution, and waste. Traditional elastane production is energy-intensive, sheds microplastics, and clogs recycling systems—persisting in landfills for centuries. Meanwhile, textile workers face exposure to toxic chemicals, and coastal communities struggle with declining livelihoods. Our bio-based, compostable alternative replaces elastane with a circular, non-toxic fiber sourced from seaweed—eliminating petroleum use, reducing carbon emissions, and preventing microplastic pollution. It supports monomaterial garment designs that improve recyclability and reduce end-of-life waste. Beyond its environmental impact, our solution enhances social sustainability by creating safer workplaces, supporting coastal economies through sustainable seaweed harvesting, and enabling size-inclusive, adaptive fashion. Brands benefit from no trade-off between sustainability and performance while complying with upcoming EU waste regulations. By connecting designers, manufacturers, recyclers, and policymakers, we’re pioneering a net-positive, regenerative textile system—where fashion works with nature, not against it.

Please describe your project, reflecting on the concept, inspiration, materials, technical aspects, methods and process(es).

Inspired by biomimicry and circularity, our project reimagines stretch fibers using the natural properties of seaweed. Our biofabricated fabric mimics elastane’s elasticity while being fully compostable, non-toxic, and compatible with existing textile production methods. We utilize invasive seaweed, reducing pressure on agricultural land and freshwater resources, while supporting coastal communities through regenerative aquaculture. Our technical aspects ensure that the stretch and recovery are comparable to elastane, ensuring comfort, durability, and size inclusivity. The fabric is compostable in home-composting conditions, eliminating microplastic pollution, and can be seamlessly integrated into existing supply chains, lowering industry adoption barriers. Developed through low-impact biofabrication, we reduce energy use and carbon footprint, enabling brands to transition to circularity without sacrificing performance. By leveraging nature’s genius, we’re not just replacing elastane; we’re redefining how stretch textiles are made, used, and disposed of.

What do you think makes your project innovative compared to the existing efforts and ideas in the field it addresses?

Existing elastane alternatives still rely on fossil fuels, virgin plastics, non-renewable resources (like natural rubber), or resource-intensive agriculture (such as corn), limiting their true sustainability and circularity. Our fiber is the first 100% compostable, fossil-fuel-free stretch material designed for seamless integration into the industry and large-scale adoption. Unlike competitors requiring industrial breakdown processes, our fiber is striving to be home-compostable, ensuring a truly circular end-of-life. By harnessing invasive seaweed as a regenerative raw material, we avoid petroleum, land use conflicts, and biodiversity loss while actively restoring marine ecosystems. Additionally, no existing alternative meets the unique performance needs of the underwear market, where durability, comfort, and washability are essential. Our innovation provides a stretch solution without sacrificing sustainability, positioning us to revolutionize intimate apparel before expanding into broader applications. By bridging circularity, scalability, and regenerative sourcing, we are setting a new industry standard. 

Does it impact or reflect young people need(s) and how?

Young people care deeply about sustainability but face limited access to truly circular fashion. Stretch textiles are essential for activewear, lingerie, and adaptive clothing; however, current options rely on polluting, petroleum-based elastane. Our solution empowers sustainable consumers with a circular fashion alternative that does not sacrifice comfort, durability, or performance. It demonstrates to activists and designers how regenerative materials can replace fossil-fuel textiles, shifting the industry toward net-positive solutions. Additionally, it encourages future innovators to engage in cross-disciplinary collaboration—ranging from biomaterials to digital design—to rethink fashion’s impact. By addressing the needs and values of younger generations, we help them access products that align with their environmental and societal concerns, fostering a community-focused mindset toward creating a sustainable future.