Retail giant Walmart and Rubi Laboratories have announced pilot projects aiming to capture carbon emissions from manufacturers and facilities in the Walmart supply chain and convert them into a garment prototype – with zero waste.

“When I toured the Rubi facility earlier this year, I got to see their carbon capture process first-hand and it felt like magic, this creation of something seemingly out of thin air,” said Andrea Albright, EVP of sourcing at Walmart. “Rubi founders Neeka and Leila Mashouf took inspiration from how trees “eat” CO2 to create the cellulose they need to grow, and have figured out a way to mimic this natural process in the lab. Their patent-pending process, like trees, captures and converts carbon emissions, spinning the resulting cellulose into something we all need – fabric. The final products are carbon-negative, resource-neutral textiles that can be used for clothing and other materials.”

The manufacturing pilot will examine how Rubi’s technology could be integrated at a larger scale in the Walmart supply chain and test the capture of carbon emissions at some of Walmart’s own facilities. The brand pilot will test Rubi’s fibre performance in a prototype garment, with the goal of producing garment samples.

When I got to see their carbon capture process first-hand it felt like magic, this creation of something seemingly out of thin air

“If successful, a larger apparel collection could follow and be available in our stores,” Albright said.

In March this year, the California startup raised $8.7 million in additional seed funding led by Talis Capital, Patagonia’s Tin Shed Ventures and H&M Group, to bring its total funding to $13.5 million.

In June Rubi unveiled the first-ever cellulosic yarn made directly from carbon emissions through a fully enzymatic process. The Danish fashion brand Ganni has already started trials of the fabrics made with the patent-pending technology, through a blend composition of 20% Rubi cellulose yarn and standard industry cellulose.

Reimagining supply chains

“At Rubi, our goal is to ensure a thriving future by restoring the Earth’s ecological balance with reimagined supply chains,” said Neeka Mashouf. “Walmart’s ability to mobilise positive impact across its supply chain of diverse USA partners could be massively impactful in scaling our production and delivering on our commitments. We’re thrilled to partner with them.”

Walmart’s sustainability efforts are grounded in the belief that it can use its scale to have a positive impact everywhere it operates, meaning doing more good, not just less harm.

“Importantly, sustainable should also mean affordable, so we are also focused on prototyping an apparel line that can be produced at scale and widely available to our customers – who seek the right value and price in what they purchase in our stores,” said Albright. “We’re confident that, if successful in these pilots, there is a real possibility of creating garments that offer value and contribute to a better environment for everyone – and we think customers will be excited to be a part of that.

“At Walmart, we’re helping make the sustainable choice the affordable choice as we continue our journey to becoming a regenerative company. And that means tackling complex problems and finding innovative solutions across our supply chain. We see great potential beyond apparel as these pilots could have implications across so many products and industries – packaging, building materials, food and even the creation of new raw materials. The possibilities are staggering, and we’re excited to see where this journey takes us.”

www.corporate.walmart.com