The problem with sequins is that they are a microplastic delivery system. A single garment can shed thousands of them, each a tiny, persistent shard of petroleum-based plastic. Clare Lichfield, a fashion manufacturer who studied in China, saw this waste stream firsthand. Her startup, Sequinova, offers a simple proposition: keep the sparkle, lose the plastic.
Sequinova makes sequins from cellulose, a plant-based polymer, and claims they biodegrade completely in freshwater in under eight weeks, leaving no toxic residue [Manufacturing Digital]. The company also develops bio-based colorants from plant ingredients and engineered microorganisms [Sustainability Magazine]. The sequins are designed as a drop-in replacement, compatible with existing textile manufacturing machinery [Manufacturing Digital].
A Stella McCartney-shaped wedge
In 2024, Stella McCartney debuted Sequinova's plant-based sequins on hand-embroidered mini dresses at her AW25 Paris Fashion Week show, marking what was billed as the world's first commercial use of the material [Fashion Network, 2024]. The company has since established manufacturing partnerships with factories in Europe and Asia to scale production [Manufacturing Digital].
The unit economics of biodegradability
The global sequin market is valued at nearly $17 billion and is projected to double over the next decade [Sustainability Magazine]. The fashion industry is responsible for an estimated 35% of the world's microplastic pollution. Sequinova's bet is that regulatory pressure and consumer awareness will force brands to pay a premium for a biodegradable alternative.
Where the sequins could lose their shine
Public details on funding are limited to a £20,000 grant and participation in the Undaunted The Greenhouse accelerator [Crunchbase]. Scaling production of a novel biomaterial from boutique to industrial volumes is a capital-intensive endeavor. The company must also prove that its sequins perform identically to plastic under all conditions without compromising on cost.
If just 1% of the current $17 billion sequin market converted to a biodegradable alternative, it would represent a $170 million annual addressable market. Sequinova's task is to make the sustainable choice not just the ethical one, but the economically obvious one for brands that want to keep sparkling without the guilt.
Sources
- [Crunchbase] Sequinova - Crunchbase Company Profile & Funding | https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/sequinova
- [Fashion Network, 2024] Bio-materials start-up Sequinova works with Stella McCartney on sustainable sequins | https://us.fashionnetwork.com/news/Bio-materials-start-up-sequinova-works-with-stella-mccartney-on-sustainable-sequins,1711175.html
- [FC Designer Workspace, July 2024] Sequinova Awarded Runner Up Prize at Manufacturing Futures Innovation Challenge 2024 | https://www.fashioncapital.co.uk/insights/clare-lichfield-co-founder-of-sequinova-meets-king-charles-iii-and-wins-big-at-the-london-fashion-awards/
- [Manufacturing Digital] Sequinova: Biodegradable Sequins At Scale | https://manufacturingdigital.com/articles/sequinova-biodegradable-sequins-at-scale
- [Sustainability Magazine] Sustainable Fashion: Sequinova's Eco-Friendly Solution | https://sustainabilitymag.com/articles/sustainable-fashion-sequinovas-eco-friendly-solution