Performance textiles have traditionally forced brands to navigate trade-offs between technical performance, complex material constructions and the transition to more sustainable materials. A new material development brings together complementary bio-based technologies to explore another way forward. By eliminating the need for a separate adhesive layer, the concept opens up new possibilities for simpler, more sustainable performance textile constructions.
The concept combines NovaPolyPEF, a 100% bio-based PEF (polyethylene furanoate) textile platform, with BrightBio®, the bio-based functional lamination technology developed by Finnish green-tech company Brightplus. The new material concept will be presented at Performance Days in Munich on 13–14 October 2026.
At the heart of the development is simpler material construction. The BrightBio film is laminated directly onto the NovaPolyPEF textile, providing both the functional layer and bond without the need for a separate adhesive layer. This simplifies the construction from a conventional three-layer structure to two functional layers.
Two bio-based technologies. One performance fabric.
The development brings renewable material innovation to both the textile substrate and its functional layer, while keeping the demanding functional and aesthetic requirements of performance textiles at the centre.
Rather than replacing only one component of a conventional textile construction, the concept brings together complementary technologies across different layers of the material. This approach offers new possibilities for textile manufacturers and brands seeking to simplify material constructions while increasing the use of renewable materials in high-performance applications.
Performance without compromise
BrightBio® is a next-generation bio-based coating technology developed to provide an alternative to conventional fossil-based functional textile coatings while maintaining the performance required for demanding applications.
BrightBio uses certified renewable raw materials, including non-edible biomass side streams and captured CO₂. The technology is designed as a drop-in solution compatible with existing textile production processes, enabling manufacturers to adopt the technology without major changes to their production lines.
“Sustainability should not mean compromising on performance. The textile industry needs materials that can move away from fossil-based materials and harmful substances while still delivering the durability, functionality and design freedom expected from high-performance products. This project demonstrates how complementary material technologies can help make that transition possible,” says Milja Hannu-Kuure, CEO of Brightplus.
See the development at Performance Days 2026
The new material concept will make its debut at Performance Days in Munich on 13–14 October 2026 and will be showcased in the Innovation Corner.
BrightBio (Brightplus), Booth IN21I NovaPolyPEF, Booth IN22
Learn more: www.brightplus.com/performance-days-2026
About Brightplus and BrightBio®
Brightplus is a Finnish green-tech company reshaping the future of materials with bio-based innovations. Its mission is to rid the world of toxic coatings. BrightBio® is a next-generation bio-based coating engineered for functional textiles. It is designed to deliver high performance with sustainability and circularity, without compromising aesthetics, process compatibility or safety. BrightBio uses certified renewable raw materials, including non-edible biomass side streams, and is designed for integration into existing textile production processes.
About Leaf Bio
Leaf Bio develops plant-based advanced materials, including FDCA and PEF, focused on helping reduce reliance on fossil-derived aromatic materials across textiles, packaging, and consumer applications. Leaf Bio is the official partner of NovaPoly.
Media enquiries
Milja Hannu-Kuure, CEO, Brightplus, milja.hannu-kuure@brightplus.com I +358 40 064 6533
Jerry Luo, Co-founder, Leaf Bio (NovaPoly), luozhao@leafbiotech.com I +86 18621821725
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