Eeden

Overview

Eeden GmbH is a recycling-tech company based in Münster, Germany, focused on transforming textile waste into high-quality raw materials. Founded in 2019 by Steffen Gerlach and Dr. Tobias Börnhorst, Eeden aims to enable a circular economy within the textile industry through pioneering chemical recycling technology. The company has successfully secured €18 million in Series A funding, with key investments from entities such as Forbion, Henkel Ventures, and NRW.Venture.

Recent Developments

April 2025: Eeden closed an €18 million Series A funding round led by Forbion, highlighting a significant step in scaling its textile recycling technology. The funding will be used to construct a demonstration plant in Münster, optimize large-scale processing capabilities, and establish commercial projects within the textile industry.
- This round also saw participation from Henkel Ventures, NRW.Venture, and reinvestments from TechVision Fund, HTGF, and D11Z Ventures.
- The demonstration plant is expected to become operational in 2026, designed to showcase the commercial viability of Eeden’s technology in recycling polyester and cotton blends into virgin-quality fibers.
January 2025: The European Union introduced regulations mandating separate collection systems for used textiles. Eeden’s technologies are well-positioned to meet these regulations by offering efficient solutions to process complex blended materials.
August 2024: Eeden announced the successful validation of its pilot plant with industrial partners, paving the way for the upcoming demonstration facility.

Attribute	Information
Founding Date	2019
Headquarters	Münster, Germany
Founders	Steffen Gerlach, Dr. Tobias Börnhorst
Revenue	Not publicly disclosed
Profits	Not publicly disclosed
Key Investors	Forbion, Henkel Ventures, NRW.Venture
Industry	Textile Recycling, Environmental Services
Number of Employees	21

Early History

Eeden was founded in 2019 by Steffen Gerlach and Dr. Tobias Börnhorst to tackle the growing need for sustainable solutions in the textile industry. The company emerged amid increasing global awareness of textile waste and its environmental impact. Initial phases focused on technology development, which involved extracting cellulose and PET monomers from polycotton blends, enabling the production of various fibers. By November 2022, Eeden secured seed funding to validate its recycling technology. Early investments facilitated the establishment of research collaborations and pilot programs that were crucial in proving the operational viability of Eeden’s recycling processes.

Company Profile and Achievements

Eeden’s business model revolves around its proprietary chemical recycling technology, designed to recover pure cellulose and PET building blocks. These materials are essential for creating high-performance fibers such as lyocell, viscose, and polyester. Key achievements include:

Technology Development: Pioneering a breakthrough methodology that effectively separates complex textile blends into usable raw materials for fiber manufacturers.
Successful Funding Rounds: Eeden has raised substantial financial backing through various funding rounds, including a significant Series A completion in April 2025, indicating strong investor confidence in its technology and market potential.
Industrial Partnerships: Through collaboration with industrial partners, Eeden has validated its pilot operations, establishing credibility and opening pathways for wider industrial adoption.

Current Operations and Market Position

Eeden operates primarily out of Münster, Germany, where it is set to build a new demonstration plant. The company maintains a strategic focus on addressing the textile industry's challenges, such as resource scarcity and efficiency, through its recycling technology. With increasing textile waste and strict EU regulations on recycling, Eeden's solutions are expected to play a critical role. The company’s competitive edge lies in its ability to provide a scalable, cost-effective alternative to traditional fiber production, thereby advancing circularity in textiles.

Conclusion

Eeden stands out within the textile recycling industry as a forerunner in enabling a circular economy. By developing innovative chemical recycling technologies, Eeden offers viable solutions to convert textile waste into high-performance fibers. Supported by significant investor backing and governmental regulatory changes, Eeden is poised for further expansion. With the upcoming launch of its demonstration plant, Eeden is expected to significantly impact resource efficiency and sustainability within the textile industry—a trajectory that aligns with global environmental goals.