Borre Akkersdijk and BYBORRE: Redefining Textiles For A Sustainable Future

Borre Akkersdijk, founder of BYBORRE, is transforming the textile industry with sustainable, on-demand production and digital tools that empower creators to design custom, waste-reducing textiles.

In an industry steeped in tradition yet burdened by inefficiencies, Borre Akkersdijk emerges as a visionary designer and entrepreneur reshaping the way we think about textiles. As the founder of BYBORRE, an Amsterdam-based textile innovation company, Akkersdijk is tackling one of the industry's biggest challenges: waste. With a pioneering zero-waste production model and a steadfast commitment to material transparency, BYBORRE has redefined textile creation, merging craftsmanship with cutting-edge digital technology.

Borre Akkersdijk began his journey at the Design Academy Eindhoven and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, where he cultivated a deep understanding of fibers and advanced textiles. His unique approach to merging technology and textiles quickly garnered attention, earning him accolades such as Young Designer of the Year at the Dutch Design Awards in 2012.

But Akkersdijk's ambitions extended far beyond personal recognition. He envisioned a future where the textile industry could function responsibly without compromising creativity. This vision materialized in 2015 with the founding of BYBORRE, a company that has since become synonymous with textile innovation.

man holding a sewing bobbin

Innovation at Its Core

BYBORRE operates at the intersection of technology and design, offering high-performance knitted textiles tailored for industries ranging from fashion and sportswear to interior design and automotive. Unlike traditional textile companies, BYBORRE integrates digital tools to empower designers and brands to customize patterns, textures, and yarn compositions. With a minimum order of just 50 meters, BYBORRE’s open digital platform democratizes textile design.

stool

“We have a digital tool,” Akkersdijk explains. “Our developers work together with our lab to digitize our knitting machines completely. The goal is to integrate knowledge into one software platform where every parameter—from color changes to machine blueprints—can be controlled and customized.” This fusion of technology and craft enables designers to embed their unique DNA into textiles, creating products that stand out both aesthetically and functionally.

yarn

Sustainability Through Precision

At the heart of BYBORRE’s ethos is a commitment to sustainability. The company’s on-demand production model drastically reduces waste by ensuring that textiles are produced only when needed.

“Zero waste is a utopia when you’re creating things,” Akkersdijk acknowledges. “But by working on-demand, we can produce precisely what’s needed. Digital sampling has been a game-changer, reducing unnecessary production drastically.”

Through its certified yarn library and textile passport, BYBORRE sets a new standard for transparency. These tools provide creators with detailed insights into material origins, composition, and recyclability, empowering them to make informed, responsible choices.

man with an industrial sewing machine

Breaking Down Industry Barriers

Akkersdijk’s vision extends beyond BYBORRE’s direct impact. As a thought leader and advocate for industry change, he actively challenges outdated practices. Yet, he’s quick to acknowledge the systemic inertia that plagues the textile world. “The textile industry is the last to digitalize,” he notes. “It’s a fragmented, prehistorical system resistant to change because everyone wants to protect their piece of the pie.”

Despite these challenges, BYBORRE has achieved significant milestones. From winning the 2023 International Woolmark Prize for supply chain innovation to collaborating with global brands like BMW, Nike, and Gore-Tex, the company has demonstrated that sustainability and scalability can go hand in hand.

man holding a jacket with a tag

A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Akkersdijk aims to expand BYBORRE’s reach, making the textile medium accessible to a broader audience. “We’ve created a system where within a defined framework, people can fully develop their textiles,” he explains. “Whether it’s designers or architects, they can embed their DNA into the fabric. This opens up textile as a medium for everyone, not just large brands.”

“We had a 16-year-old come in, use the system, design, and produce a complete product in a week—something that took me ten years to achieve,” Akkersdijk recalls. “That’s the beauty of making this open to everyone.”

With its commitment to innovation, transparency, and sustainability, BYBORRE exemplifies the transformative power of responsible design. Under Akkersdijk’s leadership, the company is not just redefining what textiles can be—it’s shaping a future where creativity and responsibility coexist seamlessly.

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Maartje is a qualitative consumer researcher and brand strategist specializing in culture, lifestyle, and brand strategy. She dives deep into cultures, people, and lifestyles to uncover the unwritten rules they live by, identifying what makes them unique and what seems natural to them but appears new and exceptional to outsiders. Written 3 weeks ago