Provest Equity Partners and CTW Venture Partners Invest in Natural Fiber Welding Inc. to Innovate Plant-Based Materials

Strategic Investment to Foster Innovative Materials

In recent news, Provest Equity Partners and CTW Venture Partners have made a substantial strategic investment in Natural Fiber Welding Inc. (NFW), a trailblazer in the realm of high-performance, plant-based materials. This investment, announced on January 14, 2026, marks a key milestone for NFW as it prepares to scale its groundbreaking low-carbon materials platform and accelerate its commercialization efforts.

NFW’s innovations have already begun to make waves in the industry. The company has developed PLIANT™, the world's first naturally cured performance rubber outsoles, along with MIRUM®, an all-natural leather alternative that is entirely free from plastic. These pioneering products exemplify NFW's commitment to creating sustainable alternatives that can effectively replace a wide range of plastics and petrochemical-based materials.

Steve Zika, CEO of NFW, expressed his enthusiasm regarding the partnership, highlighting its alignment with the company’s mission. He stated, "This partnership marks an important inflection point for NFW, enabling us to continue our mission of bringing sustainable, performance materials to market. We are excited to partner with Provest, whose operator-driven approach and focus on disciplined scale align directly with what NFW needs as demand from global brand partners continues to accelerate."

The partnership is particularly timely, coinciding with NFW’s plans to expand production capacity and enhance efficiency across its product range. This surge in production is supported by proprietary advancements in green chemistry and materials science that contribute to the sustainability and efficacy of NFW’s products.

Provest Equity Partners brings a wealth of experience to the table—specifically in advanced manufacturing and operational scale-up—while CTW Venture Partners offers specialized knowledge in scaling climate-tech solutions. Their combined expertise is expected to facilitate not just financial growth, but also continual improvements in governance, supply-chain execution, and product innovation.

Following this investment, NFW intends to deepen its engagement with major market sectors such as fashion, footwear, automotive, and more. The focus will remain on replacing petroleum-based materials with high-performance, regenerative alternatives that are aligned with a climate-friendly future. The firm has already garnered attention from notable global players, including BMW iVentures, Ralph Lauren, Allbirds, and Asahi Kasei, all of which recognize the company's potential to transform the materials landscape.

Provest's Chairman, Suhas Uppalapati, commented on the alignment of the partnership with their strategic vision. He has emphasized NFW's capability to marry breakthrough science with industrial relevance — a combination that bodes well for both scalability and profitability.

As NFW gears up for its next phase, the backing from Provest and CTW is poised to enhance operational execution, expand market reach, and cultivate new opportunities for innovation. With a clear focus on advancing sustainable material science, NFW stands at the cusp of creating a lasting impact in various industries by prioritizing eco-friendly alternatives.

In conclusion, this strategic investment by Provest and CTW marks a significant chapter in the ongoing evolution of sustainable materials, spotlighting the importance of innovation and commitment to ecological responsibility in today’s manufacturing landscape. As Natural Fiber Welding Inc. continues to pave the way for future advancements, it remains dedicated to its mission of providing high-performance alternatives that benefit both consumers and the planet.