Pulling mussels: French startup converts bivalve waste into textiles

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In France, a startup is converting mussel byssus—the threadlike extensions mussels use to adhere to rocks—into textile fibers. 

Founded just 13 months ago by Robin Maquet and Florence Baron, Bysco has partnered with the region’s mussel farmers and aims to produce 35,000 square feet of the material within the next two years. 

Bysco meets demand for biobased solutions in applications like acoustic panels and sporting goods and helps mussel farmers in Normandy, Brittany and Pays de la Loire bypass expensive waste treatment, according to Fashion Network.

The young company also recently won the 2022 Grand Prize from Moovjee (Movement for young people and student entrepreneurs).