This Biotech Founder Turns Pond Scum Into Luxury Leather
Bloom Biotech transforms food-grade microalgae into carbon-negative leather that runs on existing textile lines and costs less than conventional materials.
Global luxury brands have expressed interest.Fashion Needs Materials That Do Not Destroy the Planet
The global fashion supply chain is under growing pressure as water consumption rises, emissions expand, and microplastic pollution spreads. Brands want traceability and circular design. Governments are adding new requirements that force companies to rethink how textiles are made. Yet the industry remains trapped between rising expectations and limited material options that can meet both cost and scale.
Most bio-based textiles still depend on expensive processes or require brands to overhaul their manufacturing lines. For many innovators, the science is promising, but the economics fail when the material reaches the production floor. Pedro Vicente understands this tension. He grew up in a small village on the Portuguese-Spanish border, where resources were limited and practicality guided every decision. His years in biotech taught him how often good science becomes inaccessible because it is too costly or too abstract for everyday people. That experience shaped the question at the center of his work. What if sustainable textiles could be built from ingredients that were already abundant, affordable, and carbon negative?
Bloom Biotech Builds Leather-Like Materials With Microalgae and Practical Science
This idea became Bloom Biotech, the company Pedro now leads from Belgium. Bloom transforms food-grade microalgae biomass into leather-like materials through a proprietary bioprinting process. The company sources algae from existing food producers and waste streams, then converts it into yarns and sheets using room temperature production and food-grade chemistry. The approach reduces emissions, avoids solvents, and fits into the equipment brands already use.
An unusual combination of humility and ambition drove Pedro’s move into this field. He had worked in cosmetics, cultivated meat, and vaccine development. Each experience exposed him to the gap between scientific promise and real-world outcomes. When he and his co-founder explored business ideas, microalgae textiles stood out as a path that could support both environmental goals and large-scale manufacturing. A simple experiment confirmed that intuition. A weekend test produced a narrow strip of algae-based material that felt surprisingly close to leather. Designers responded with curiosity. From that point, Bloom pivoted fully into textile innovation.
The company has already achieved significant early results. Leather experts have validated their 80 percent microalgae prototype. Global luxury brands have expressed interest. A lab-scale printer now supports production of 500 to 1000 square meters per year. Bloom was invited to present a central piece at Fashion InStyle 2026. These milestones reinforce Pedro’s belief that practical science can change how materials are made.
Scaling a Material That Can Fit Into Every Brand’s Production Line
The next stage of Bloom’s journey focuses on scale. The team is closing its 600k euro pre-seed round and preparing to expand production. Pilot volumes between 5k and 20k square meters per year are planned. Pre-industrial volumes may reach up to 500k square meters per year. EU market-ready materials are expected by 2028. The company also aims to establish its first dedicated manufacturing facilities.
Pedro’s motivation remains grounded in the values he carried from his village to his scientific career. He wants to build materials that benefit ordinary people and support healthier production across the fashion ecosystem. He believes science can be both creative and accessible and that sustainable textiles should match the performance and affordability that brands need. Bloom Biotech is moving toward that vision with a clear path and a material that could redefine how the world makes leather.
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