Portuguese cellulosic pulp leader Altri SGPS has signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in AeoniQ, marking a significant move into next-generation sustainable textiles. The investment will fund the first commercial-scale production of AeoniQ’s climate-positive, fully biodegradable cellulosic filament yarn, designed to replace polyester and nylon with a circular, plastic-free alternative.

AeoniQ, a cleantech spin-off of HeiQ Materials, has developed a yarn that mirrors the performance of synthetic fibres while offering natural biodegradability in marine, soil, freshwater and industrial composting environments. Independent Life Cycle Assessments show the yarn reduces CO₂ emissions by at least 3.2 kg per kg compared to polyester. It has already featured in capsule collections from Hugo Boss and in Lameirinho’s “vegan silk” bedlinen line.

The first industrial AeoniQ plant will be built at Altri’s Caima pulp mill in Portugal, with construction expected to begin in 2026. A pre-industrial line will launch earlier that year to accelerate brand partnerships and prototyping. Altri’s vertical integration - from eucalyptus pulp to finished yarn—will later expand to include recycled feedstocks such as cotton textile waste and bacterial cellulose from food waste.

The joint venture, combining Altri’s industrial scale and HeiQ’s innovation, is supported by global stakeholders including Hugo Boss, MAS Holdings, The Lycra Company, and development partners such as Riopele, Impetus, Lameirinho, Beste and Aunde Group.

“This agreement gives concrete form to Altri’s strategy of moving up the value chain and investing in next-generation materials,” said José Soares de Pina, CEO of Altri. “We are scaling a game-changing innovation that aligns perfectly with our commitment to build a more renewable world.”

Carlo Centonze, CEO of HeiQ, added: “Together, we are offering a market-ready solution to one of the planet’s most polluting industries. AeoniQ is a European-made, high-performance, plastic-free textile with real impact.”

The deal is expected to close in Q3 2025, positioning Altri to reshape the textile sector with renewable, biodegradable alternatives that align with its broader bioeconomy and decarbonisation goals.

www.altri.pt

www.heiq-aeoniq.com