Norrøna Partners With Uluu on Seaweed Apparel
The Norwegian outdoor brand and Australian materials startup are developing seaweed-derived textiles for waterproof and windproof clothing.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Materials Science
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Norrøna has partnered with Uluu, an Australian materials startup, to develop outdoor apparel textiles made from carbon-sequestering seaweed. The companies are prototyping waterproof and windproof garments using seaweed material that biodegrades naturally.
Why it matters
The partnership aims to reduce reliance on fossil-fuel-based polyester and nylon, which shed persistent microplastics. It could also challenge long-held assumptions about the materials needed for high-performance outdoor apparel.
The partnership is backed by a funded joint development agreement, but the source provides no production volumes, durability tests or performance figures for the seaweed textiles. Whether the material can be produced using Norwegian-farmed kelp remains under investigation.
The players
Norrøna
A Norwegian outdoor apparel brand that developed Europe's first GORE-TEX jacket prototype in 1977 and is now partnering on seaweed-derived textiles.
Uluu
An Australian materials startup that makes biodegradable textiles from carbon-sequestering seaweed.
The details
Uluu has melt-spun its seaweed material into yarn and fabric using established manufacturing processes, and the companies are using these novel materials to prototype waterproof and windproof apparel. Uluu is also investigating whether its materials can be produced using kelp farmed in Norway.
Timeline
• 1977: Norrøna developed Europe's first GORE-TEX jacket prototype.
• Approximately 2026: Norrøna invested in next-generation textiles through its joint agreement with Uluu.
Roadmap
Norrøna's 1977 GORE-TEX prototype helped establish membrane-based waterproof outdoor apparel, which has depended on fossil-fuel-derived polyester and nylon. The seaweed partnership signals a departure from that petroleum-based foundation toward bio-based fibers for the same performance category.
Consumers shopping for waterproof outdoor clothing do not yet have a seaweed-based option to buy, as the partnership is at the prototype stage. Watch for product announcements from Norrøna before assuming these textiles will appear in stores.
The takeaway
Bio-based textiles could eventually replace petroleum-derived fabrics in performance outdoor gear, but this partnership is still in the prototype phase. Its success will depend on whether seaweed materials can be produced at scale and perform as well as conventional synthetics.
Further reading
Explore more on Materials Science to see how bio-based fibers are being developed.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Greatreporter -.
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