Brand Partnerships

Next-gen materials will only become mainstream with the support and adoption of global brands. MII’s Brand Partnerships department serves as the leading resource for global brands to obtain crucial information about emerging and existing next-gen material technologies. We provide our expertise to brands on partnering with, sourcing from, and investing in next-gen materials companies. We also share industry and technology overviews, offer positioning advice and marketing support, and make introductions to next-gen materials companies.

Developing Research and Insights

MII’s Brand Partnerships department serves as the leading resource for global brands to gain insights into current and expected trends and technologies in the materials industry. We publish annual brand partnerships reports, exclusive consumer research studies, and innovator analyses.

Tencel Limited Edition image

Credit – Luca Distefano Photographer x Orange Fiber

Authoring Next-Gen Materials Brand Partnerships Reports

MII’s reports fill critical knowledge gaps and create more transparency across the next-gen materials ecosystem, providing a strong foundation for the industry to grow. Our Brand Partnership report, the first of its kind in the industry, documents forward-thinking brands that are adopting next-gen materials and details the strategies they are using to meet consumer demand for increased sustainability and animal-free products.

Acoustic Wallpanels

Credit – OceanSafe

Conducting Consumer Research

MII partners with North Mountain Consulting Group (NMCG), a consumer research firm, to conduct original research on consumer perceptions of next-gen materials technologies. Our recent research reveals that consumers in the United States and China are overwhelmingly interested in next-gen materials. Our research also demonstrates that creating, producing, and selling next-gen materials represents an enormous opportunity for entrepreneurs, investors, brands, engineers, and scientists.

Customized In-Depth Consulting for Brands

The next-gen materials industry is rapidly expanding and evolving. We have a team of experts constantly tracking the entire ecosystem including investor activity, innovators/new start-ups, new science and technology, consumer research, brand collaborations, and future trends. Many brands don’t have the resources in house to stay on top of it all. And that’s where we come in! Our Brand Partnership department offers brands access to our team of experts, who provide comprehensive customized analyses of next-gen materials that meet each brand’s aesthetic, performance, accessibility, and sustainability specifications. We provide our brand partners with a deep understanding of material companies that are openly in the marketplace as well as those in research and development mode.

We also equip brands with an in-depth understanding of these next-gen material technologies, industry and technology overviews, and strategic and sourcing advice. Additionally, we have expertise in environmental impact assessments and can advise brands on how to integrate innovative materials into their ESG strategies to meet their sustainability goals.

Please note: custom consulting is included in certain membership levels and also open to all for a separate fee.

Shopper bag product image

Medium Shopper Caramel – Credit – von Holzhausen

Fostering Collaboration Between Brands and Next-Gen Materials Companies

Our Brand Partnerships department introduces brands to next-gen materials companies for partnership, sourcing, and investment opportunities. Brand collaborations with next-gen materials companies can take multiple forms: brands and next-gen materials companies can co-brand, establish exclusive access partnerships, or create capsule collections; brands can invest in promising material innovation companies; brands can help next-gen materials companies improve their products by offering advice on swatches and performance metrics; and, material companies may, in turn, give brands first access to their material when it comes to market.

MII’s Brand Partnerships report features over 125 partnerships that inspire brands to work with next-gen materials and bring exciting new products to market.

Leading Brand Partnerships Through Events

Our Brand Partnerships department organizes conferences and events that provide brands with the information they need to explore next-gen materials.

Material Innovation Conference

MII’s flagship event, the Material Innovation Conference (MIC) is held annually. MIC focuses on addressing critical issues and providing unique perspectives on the next-gen materials industry’s innovation journey from concept to commercialization. Retailers, brands, entrepreneurs, scientists, investors, academia, business incubators, raw material suppliers, mills, and philanthropies are all part of the industry ecosystem that is represented at this unprecedented global event.

Speaking Engagements & Webinars

We often host informational webinars, panel discussions, and learning sessions encompassing the world of next-gen materials and sustainability.

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