Magnolab, the 8 startups for the Texploration project have been selected

The selection phase has been completed among more than 70 companies that submitted their applications for Texploration, the national and international open innovation project promoted and launched by MagnoLab - a network of companies for innovation in the textile supply chain based in Magnonevolo (Biella) - and implemented by dpixel, the division of Fintech District that supports the growth of start-ups and business innovation by promoting business opportunities through open innovation projects.

The Texploration call was aimed at innovative start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs capable of developing new solutions for the textile industry based on an analysis of the needs of 10 companies in the Magnolab network: Canalair, Dbt Fibre, De Martini, Di.Vé, Filidea, Maggia, Marchi&Fildi, Pinter Group, Stamperia Alicese and Tintoria Finissaggio 2000.

The 70 applications were obtained through one-to-one scouting of potentially interesting candidates for the call itself and through the network of Magnolab, dpixel and Sellalab – the Sella Group's impact innovation platform – as Ecosystem Partner.
The most represented countries were Italy, with more than 40 applications, the United Kingdom, the United States and Turkey, but applications also came from Norway, Greece, France, Portugal, Croatia, Germany, Spain, the Czech Republic, Finland, Iceland and Poland.

Thanks to an accurate selection, Texploration has identified useful and effective solutions capable of innovating products and business processes in terms of greater sustainability and productivity, fundamental aspects for remaining competitive, especially in a sector such as textiles, characterised by a fragmented supply chain and significant environmental impact: from energy management to the use of Artificial Intelligence to optimise the supply chain, through to reducing consumption and the use of recyclable and biodegradable materials. Here are the selected companies and projects:

• E-Plato (ITA): Through Socrate, an Enterprise Knowledge Hub designed to connect and analyse company data, E-Plato streamlines the textile supply chain by providing immediate access to production data, certifications and R&D knowledge dispersed among partners. E-Plato will launch three projects with Divè, Pinter Group and Stamperia Alicese.
• Mangrovia (ITA): The Mangrovia platform facilitates an ‘integrated and collaborative supply chain’ from fibre to final product. Datome orchestrates data flows and structures information for advanced traceability, while MagentIA automatically extracts and organises heterogeneous data from different sources. Mangrovia will be the protagonist of a project with Canalair.
• Sylfib (ITA): Sylfib integrates the production of spinning tops by supplying bio-macerated fibres that are chemical-free, traceable and high-performance, adaptable to industrial processes through control of the maceration process and ongoing collaboration with processors. Sylfib will work on a project with Marchi&Fildi.
• Peter (ITA): PETER has developed a technology that allows the production of polyester garments made from 100% chemically recycled PET, through depolymerisation and purification, to obtain virgin monomers that can be further repolymerised into new polyester. Peter will launch a project with Filidea.
• Aracne Textile Solutions (SPA): Aracne systems predict and detect defects in real time, minimising production errors. Aracne digitises equipment, integrating it into the value chain and reducing defects by 70%, immediately detecting the rest. This avoids regeneration and reduces environmental impact. The project linked to Texploration will see Maglificio Maggia working alongside Aracne.
• CDC Studio (ITA): Miktòs is a patented technology developed by CDC that transforms mixed textile waste (traditionally difficult to recycle) into a high-performance recyclable polymer – without separating fibres or adding additives. Miktòs eliminates disposal costs and transforms unsold items and production waste into circular raw materials that can be reused or resold. Discover the project with De Martini.
• Komete (ITA): Komete can track the location and status of batches, reels, crates and orders in real time throughout the textile supply chain. This enables automated traceability, inventory accuracy and process visibility across production and logistics. The system helps reduce delivery times, errors and inefficiencies, especially in small batch, quick response or high-value textile production. Komete will conduct a project with Tintoria Finissaggio 2000.
• BioFashionTech (ITA): BioFashionTech integrates into the textile supply chain by converting unsorted mixed fibre waste into sugars and recycled plastics through a clean, scalable enzymatic process to help our customers reduce CO₂ emissions and close the loop. BioFashionTech's expertise will be put to the test with DBT Fibre.

Over the coming months, the program will offer start-ups the opportunity to engage with key players across the entire textile supply chain, forming mixed working groups with MagnoLab companies with the aim of establishing concrete collaborations. They will work closely together to co-design innovative solutions, based on the startups' proposals and the needs expressed by the companies. The selected startups will have the opportunity to test and refine their innovations using state-of-the-art textile machinery, benefiting from the integrated experience of experts and entrepreneurs and the support of dpixel and Sellalab. The final phase will consist of the presentation and promotion of the projects, with the aim of accelerating their access to the market.