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ADVERTISEMENTEvery year, the global textile industry contributes billions of tonnes of CO₂ to the atmosphere. In response, twin sisters Neeka and Leila Mashouf, 28, have developed an innovative process that transforms carbon emissions into biodegradable fibres, creating a sustainable alternative to traditional manufacturing.
Their startup, Rubi, is built around a proprietary enzymatic system that mimics how trees absorb CO₂ and turn it into cellulose – only here, the process happens in a chemical reactor. Their breakthrough has won them a place among the Tomorrow Shapers of the Young Inventors Prize 2025, awarded by the European Patent Office.
Reinventing supply chains with climate-positive materials
“Our invention uses a special sequence of enzymes, which are like nature’s chemical engineers, to transform CO₂ into stringy polymers like cellulose, which we use to make fibres, yarns and fabrics,” says Neeka. “We developed this technology to solve what we saw as the most important global problem.”
Unlike conventional carbon conversion technologies that rely on fermentation or thermochemical systems – both of which are energy intensive and costly – Rubi’s method is scalable and low-impact. The enzymes operate under ambient conditions and require ten times less energy, enabling CO₂ to be converted into material inputs with minimal environmental strain. These inputs can then be integrated into existing textile supply chains, helping brands lower their carbon footprints without overhauling their infrastructure.
The company is already piloting its materials with Walmart, Patagonia, and H&M, demonstrating a market-ready application that could transform not just fashion, but multiple industries reliant on cellulose-derived products.
Fostering a more sustainable future for manufacturing
Raised in California’s San Francisco Bay Area, the sisters grew up surrounded by nature – and entrepreneurship. Their early exposure to the fashion industry, combined with a deep passion for science, laid the foundation for Rubi. By the age of 15, they were already publishing scientific research and working in university labs. Neeka pursued materials science and business, while Leila earned a medical degree from Harvard, focusing on bioengineering and enzymatic systems.
In 2021, they brought their disciplines together to found Rubi, with the mission of making manufacturing compatible with the planet. “Rubi is creating a new paradigm where manufacturing can thrive while preserving natural resources and advancing climate goals,” Leila explains, adding that, at a basic level the enzymes are “like a little Pacman”. “They eat molecules and spit them out into something a little bit different,” she describes.
Unlocking carbon’s potential across industries
The impact of Rubi doesn’t stop with the fashion industry. The potential for CO₂-derived cellulose reaches across sectors – packaging, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food applications, and even building materials – where carbon-intensive methods dominate. By licensing their technology, the Mashouf sisters aim to scale rapidly and empower other manufacturers to shift toward sustainable production.
“We’ve proven that CO₂ can be a valuable resource rather than a harmful waste product,” says Neeka. “I’m honoured to work together with my sister as we pioneer the next era of abundance with reinvented manufacturing systems.”
In the hands of the Mashouf sisters, carbon is no longer just a challenge, but a raw material for change.
