Partnership accelerates innovation and market introduction of high-performance plant-based materials platform
PEORIA, sick., January 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Natural Fiber Welding Inc. NFW, a pioneer in high-performance plant-based materials, today announced a strategic joint investment from Provest Equity Partners and CTW Venture Partners. This investment supports NFW’s next phase of growth, as the company accelerates the commercialization and global scale of its revolutionary low-carbon materials and climate technology platform.
This partnership comes at a pivotal time for NFW, which is expanding production of its flagship innovations through proprietary green chemistry and materials science. These innovations include PLIANT™, the world’s first naturally curing performance rubber outsole, and MIRUM.®the first all-natural, plastic-free alternative to leather.
Together, PLIANT™ and AMAZING® forming a scalable and regenerative circular materials platform designed to replace petroleum-based plastics and synthetic materials across multiple industries without compromising performance, durability or aesthetics. The newly improved PLIANT™ is currently available to place orders, with wider market expansion underway.
“This partnership marks an important inflection point for NFW as we continue our mission to bring sustainable, high-performance materials to market,” said Steve Zika, CEO of NFW. “Provest’s carrier-focused approach closely aligns with our needs as demand from global brand partners continues to grow. Together with CTW, we are strengthening the foundation needed to evolve responsibly and advance the next generation of plant-based materials.
NFW has attracted support from leading global brands and strategic investors, including BMW iVentures, Ralph Lauren Corporation, Allbirds and Asahi Kasei, reflecting the company’s potential to redefine the performance materials landscape.
Provest and CTW’s investment builds on this dynamic with a focus on operational execution, manufacturing scale, product innovation and long-term value creation.
“NFW represents the type of platform we seek to support, where scientific advances meet real industrial relevance,” said Suhas Uppalapati, Chairman of NFW and Managing Partner of Provest Equity Partners. “Our role is to help translate innovation into scalable, profitable growth as the business enters its next phase.”
Following this investment, NFW will continue to expand its relationships in the footwear, fashion, automotive and industrial markets, while continuing its mission to replace fossil fuel-based materials with regenerative and climate-responsive natural alternatives.
About welding natural fibers
Natural Fiber Welding Inc., headquartered in Peoria, Illinois, is a pioneering materials science company pioneering high-performance, plastic-free materials made entirely from renewable plant-based inputs.
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SOURCE Provest Equity Partners
