Unveiling the Future of Sustainable Cotton: Tricia Carey Joins AI-Driven Startup Avalo
Tricia Carey, a well-known figure in the fashion industry for her sustainability innovation, has recently taken on a new role as the chief commercial officer at Avalo, a startup focused on developing climate-friendly cotton through AI technology. With over two decades of experience in fiber and textile development at Lenzing Group, Carey brings a wealth of expertise to Avalo’s mission.
Avalo, based in New York City, is working on developing irrigation-free cotton plants that use 30 percent less fertilizer than conventional methods. The company is currently expanding its efforts in Texas to discover “low-input” cotton strains that require fewer chemical applications during growth.
Carey’s previous role at Renewcell, a circularity startup that recycled old cotton garments into new material, garnered both praise and criticism. Despite the company’s bankruptcy, the product, circulose, continues to be used in mainstream clothing brands like Reformation.
In her new role at Avalo, Carey aims to scale the company’s cotton production from pilot to full commercialization, working closely with farmers, industry partners, spinners, and mills to optimize fiber performance. Avalo’s vision of “low-input,” low-carbon cotton aligns with Carey’s commitment to sustainability and innovation in the fashion industry.
Avalo’s AI technology allows for the rapid development of crops that can withstand climate challenges like droughts, without resorting to genetic modification. The company is also exploring other low-carbon commodities such as rice and rubber, with recent partnerships and funding rounds to support their research and development efforts.
Carey’s involvement with other AI technology companies like FibreTrace highlights the growing trend of tech-focused solutions in the fashion industry to improve materials traceability and transparency. With her background in sustainability and innovation, Carey’s role at Avalo is poised to make a significant impact on the future of cotton production and sustainability in the fashion industry.