Keel Labs has earned recognition as “Innovation Project of the Year” for its industry-shaping seaweed material and sustainability initiatives.
Keel Labs’ pioneering innovation, Kelsun, a sustainable seaweed-derived fiber, has been recognized as the “Innovation Project of the Year” at the Textile Exchange Climate & Nature Impact Awards. The recognition celebrates the brand’s commitment to creating high-impact solutions within the fashion and textile industries — industries infamous for their heavy environmental footprint.
This year’s awards honor leaders in memory of Ryan Young, Textile Exchange’s late COO, who died in 2021 from a brain tumor at age 47. Young championed the Climate+ vision, a framework that urges industry transformation through innovative practices and environmental stewardship. Young’s legacy continues with a dedicated Climate Leader award and the recognition of exemplary projects, including Keel Labs’ Kelsun, for reimagining materials and processes in ways that directly address urgent ecological challenges.
Kelsun is crafted from an alginate biopolymer derived from seaweed — a sustainable material that is luxurious and versatile. Unlike conventional textiles, which rely heavily on fossil fuels and chemical inputs, Kelsun uses a far less invasive process, eliminating the need for arable land and the hazardous pesticides often used in agricultural fiber production.
Keel’s journey of turning seaweed into fabric begins in the ocean, where the abundant kelp absorbs CO2, supporting oceanic ecosystems while offering a renewable, biobased alternative to synthetic materials. Once harvested, the seaweed undergoes a sophisticated extraction process that isolates the biopolymer alginate, which is then transformed into a soft, silky fiber. This journey not only circumvents the pitfalls of traditional production but also introduces a closed-loop model that aligns seamlessly with existing textile infrastructure, opening the doors for its use in both apparel and interiors.
The idea of bringing sustainable materials like Kelsun to the forefront was sparked by Keel Labs co-founders Tessa Callaghan and Aleksandra Gosiewski during their design studies, where they were struck by the staggering waste produced by the fashion industry. Recognizing that meaningful change had to start at the source, Callaghan and Gosiewski embarked on a journey to reinvent the materials at the heart of the industry. Since its founding in 2017, Keel Labs, formerly known as AlgiKnit, has expanded its vision, rebranding in 2022 to reflect its commitment to ocean-based innovations. Today, the company stands at the vanguard of textile sustainability, propelled by Callaghan’s expertise in design and innovation and Gosiewski’s savvy in systems thinking and business strategy. Both under 30, the duo has earned recognition from Forbes, affirming their roles as influential leaders at the nexus of science and design.
Under Callaghan and Gosiewski’s leadership, Keel Labs aims to reduce fashion’s reliance on land-intensive and pollutive textile sources. Their Kelsun fiber, which is entirely USDA Biobased, is not only biodegradable but aligns with Keel Labs’ mission of reducing ecological harm while contributing positively to planetary health. The material’s flexibility has already garnered attention from high-profile designers like Stella McCartney and Mr. Bailey, both of whom have integrated Kelsun into collections celebrated for their aesthetic appeal and sustainability.
The importance of such innovations becomes clearer when considering the global impact of traditional textile production, which not only consumes a staggering amount of water but also introduces pesticides and microplastics into ecosystems. The Textile Exchange estimates that up to 500,000 tons of microplastics from textiles enter marine environments annually, posing severe risks to marine life and, consequently, human health. In contrast, seaweed-based materials like Kelsun not only sidestep these environmental hazards but actively contribute to carbon sequestration through their growth cycle, embodying the regenerative potential of oceanic resources.
Accepting the award, Keel Labs CEO Tessa Callaghan emphasized the recognition as a pivotal moment for sustainable innovation within the industry. “Being awarded the Innovation Project of the Year by Textile Exchange is a profound honor, especially given the organization’s renowned industry standing and insight,” Callaghan shared. “It is inspiring and validating to know that the hard work we’ve put in for years to scale our technology is resonating and that its necessity is understood. For the industry, it represents an important moment in time, where critical solutions like Kelsun are on the rise within the market to resolve the challenges textile supply chains have faced to date.”
Last month, Keel Labs collaborated with Outerknown, a California-based brand co-founded by pro surfer Kelly Slater, to release a limited-edition Blanket Shirt made with Kelsun fiber. This marked the first commercially available garment featuring Kelsun, blending the seaweed-derived fiber with organic cotton to create a sustainable alternative to traditional materials.
That launch followed an April partnership with product designer Mr. Bailey to debut the Starboard Vest, a garment crafted from Kelsun. Keel has also worked with climate activist and sustainable fashion influencer Aditi Mayer and sustainable fashion designer, Stella McCartney.
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