2024 marks a significant milestone for Earth Protex, as we proudly celebrate 30 years of dedication to innovation in the circular and bio-textile industry!
Here’s a look back at some pivotal moments in our journey:
- 1994-95: Earth Protex™, originally under the Hemp Textiles International (AKA Hemptex) company name, introduced hemp to major brands like Adidas, Levi’s, Nike and Patagonia, pioneering the use of hemp in footwear, jeans, and sports apparel.
- 1996-99: Collaborated with industry leaders like Nike to create customized hemp textiles, meeting diverse performance and aesthetic needs. Launched the first ever hemp blends with bottle rPET, organic cotton, yak down and other novel fabrications.
- 2000-05: Diversification beyond just hemp and hemp blends. Launched some of the industry’s first collections of dope dyed rPET wovens. Designed and produced collections with mechanically recycled cotton. Introduced C6 fluorocarbon and fluorocarbon-free DWR and waterbroof/breathable laminates on our wovens.
- 2009: Established Earth Protex™ (Dalian) Co., Ltd., a Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise (WFOE), gaining full domestic trade and import/export rights in China. Launched o:flax™, the industry’s first certified organic linen, in addition it was derived oilseed flax – food waste valorized textiles, and embraced by retailers like M&S, Next and Target.
- 2015-17: Partnered with H&M as Senior Sustainable Materials Consultants to drive innovation in the circular and bio-textile industry, focusing on transformative solutions.
- 2017-21: Co-founded Circular Systems SPC, recognized for innovations like Agraloop™ Biorefinery, awarded with H&M Foundation Global Change Award 1st place for transformative impact. Coordinated a buildout of a team of 50, raised $10 million and managed multi-million production for major global brands.
- 2021: Earth Protex Group Inc. was formed in Canada, consolidating our diverse business interests.
- 2022: International launch of Tex2Tex™, the first recycled polyester from 100% textile waste, demonstrating tangible sustainability impact.
- 2023: Established Earth Protex Portugal, expanding our European footprint and R&D capabilities.
Joined CalFibre as a Joint Venture partner, a company formed to fundraise $75m, and to acquire, upgrade, restart and operate a $400M / 300K ton distressed rice straw fiber factory in the USA. - 2024: Received NRC IRAP and MITACS (Canada) grants for development of our AgRefinery™ micro-fibrillated cellulose fiber/film/coating technologies in conjunction with the University of British Columbia Bio Products Institute. Received a European Union POLREC grant for commercializing our STOMP™ and our FAASST™ technologies. Participated in two other major European grant consortiums in recycling and biorefinery fields.
Thank you to our incredible team, partners, and supporters for three decades of progress and meaningful impact!
