The Mills Fabrica is launching an exhibition in London on Jan. 26 that showcases how performance sportswear can be manufactured without toxic petroleum-based materials. Performance Without Toxicity features 38 innovators, including Goldwin, Hyosung and Balena.
Performance Without Toxicity opens Jan. 26 at the Fabrica X innovation gallery in King’s Cross, London, running through June 2026. The exhibition addresses mounting pressure on the global sportswear market – valued at $206 billion in 2024 and projected to reach $350 billion by 2032 – to abandon petroleum-based materials as consumer health concerns intensify.
Goldwin leads with next-generation materials
Lead innovation partner Goldwin, the Japanese technical outdoor and lifestyle brand, will display sportswear integrating Brewed Protein fiber developed by Spiber and PlaX, a plant-derived polylactic acid (PLA) from Bioworks. The apparel demonstrates approximately 50 percent pattern-efficiency gains enabled by Synflux’s algorithmic design technology. Goldwin’s London-based brand J.L-A.L collaboration exemplifies the brand’s philosophy of elevating harmony between people and the natural world through advanced functionality.
Hyosung, the world’s largest elastane producer, will showcase recycled, recyclable and bio-based solutions. Balena presents its compostable, bio-based shoe created with Stella McCartney, marking a landmark for regenerative footwear.
Bio-renewable materials at commercial scale
Lenzing and the Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp will demonstrate bio-renewable materials already available at commercial scale. United Repair Centre will present tech-enabled repair, remake and upcycling systems designed to extend garment life while creating social impact.
Vivobarefoot will display innovations informing its regenerative business model, including algae-derived foams, bio-based polymers and recycled natural fibres. Additional exhibitors include Allbirds, Ambercycle, Beyond Future Technologies, Colorifix, Finisterre and Resortecs.
The 38 innovators collectively represent the entire innovation funnel, from emerging research to products already in market, charting a path from “performance at any cost” toward performance with purpose.
About The Mills Fabrica
The Mills Fabrica operates as a global innovation platform and venture investor accelerating sustainable solutions for the fashion, textile and lifestyle industries. Established by Nan Fung Group, a Hong Kong-based family conglomerate with deep roots in textiles and property development, The Mills Fabrica bridges traditional manufacturing expertise with emerging technology.
The organization operates through three core pillars: venture investment in early-stage companies developing circular economy solutions, incubation programs providing startups with mentorship and market access, and innovation spaces including the Fabrica X gallery that showcase breakthrough technologies to industry stakeholders.
Based at The Mills heritage industrial complex in Hong Kong – a revitalized textile manufacturing site – The Mills Fabrica maintains additional presence in London, Shenzhen and other innovation hubs. The organization has invested in and supported over 100 startups globally, focusing on sustainable materials, manufacturing innovation, circular business models and enabling technologies.
The Mills Fabrica’s investment portfolio spans companies developing bio-based alternatives to synthetic materials, digital solutions for supply chain transparency, textile recycling technologies and regenerative production methods. Through its Fabrica X galleries, the platform translates technical innovation into tangible applications, connecting solution providers with brands, manufacturers and investors seeking to transform industry practices.
Visit: themillsfabrica.com
About Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp
The Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp is the sole European agro-industrial organization that serves as a global reference, uniting all stakeholders across the European Flax-Linen and Hemp value chain—from cultivation to finished goods. Representing thousands of businesses across Europe, its mission is to bolster the international visibility and application of these exceptional natural fibers. The Alliance promotes their innovative use in fashion, home décor, and high-performance technical industries, focusing on their remarkable functional and environmental properties. To guarantee traceability and ethical standards, the organization manages key certifications, including Masters of FLAX FIBRE™ and Masters of LINEN™, striving to position European Flax-Linen and Hemp as the world’s preferred sustainable fibers.
Visit: allianceflaxlinenhemp.eu
