Ralph Lauren invests in startup Startup Natural Fiber Welding

Ralph Lauren is investing in sustainable material sciences. Theglobal fashion brand has announced a minority investment in NaturalFiber Welding, Inc. (NFW), a startup company that has revolutionizedthe reuse of natural fibers. The investment will help NFW scale itspatented process to develop performance apparel made from natural,sustainable materials.

NFW was founded in 2015 to help make recycled cotton more suitablefor reuse. The company's innovative process welds short fibers ofrecycled cotton into longer fibers that can create high-performancecotton yarns, incorporating other plant-based waste fibers. NFW'supcycled material can outperform synthetic fabrics and retains thecomfortable feel of cotton.

“Today, sustainability is an area where this is especiallyimportant, and investing with partners to scale innovative solutionsis a key part of our sustainability strategy," David Lauren, RalphLauren's vice chairman and chief innovation officer, said in a pressrelease. "We are excited to support the work of NFW, a pioneer in thisfield. Their technology has the power to not only advance our work atRalph Lauren, but effect positive change across the entireindustry.”

Through its investment with NFW, Ralph Lauren will expand its useof post-consumer cotton. The brand aims to source 100 percent of itskey materials from recycled practices.