Synthetic fibers are ubiquitous in today’s global fiber market because of their low price and utility. However, garments constructed with these materials shed microfibers that end up in our oceans and soil where they pose a major environmental concern.

Drawing from his passions for surfing and polymer science, CEO Billy McCall understood this microfiber pollution issue as a materials design challenge and set out to create new materials from scratch that perform like traditional synthetics but can naturally degrade in aerobic environments.

He joined forces with COO Alissa Baier-Lentz, a fashion entrepreneur who found it challenging to source fabrics that could balance physical and environmental performance at an accessible price.

They are growing Kintra one day at a time, with plans to launch fibers and fabrics commercially towards the end of the year.