Forging the Future of Sustainable Materials

New York City is launching Gotham Foundry, a $45 million, first-of-its-kind sustainable materials innovation hub aimed at redefining the circular materials economy at the intersection of nature, science, and engineering. Led by Columbia University in collaboration with CUNY ASRC, SUNY’s Fashion Institute of Technology, and community biolab Genspace, Gotham Foundry will serve as an open-source, open-door R&D destination that accelerates regenerative materials—from biodegradable textiles to green construction and healthcare solutions—by fostering deep tech startups, cross-industry partnerships, and workforce training right in the heart of NYC.

“We are thrilled to launch the Gotham Foundry with our partners and the support of the NYCEDC, led by Professor Helen Lu, a true pioneer in regenerative materials,” said Shih-Fu Chang  , Dean of Columbia Engineering. “We are looking forward to creating a leading hub for biofabrication and the circular economy as part of a growing innovation ecosystem in Upper Manhattan, bringing together our own history of breakthrough research in sustainability with other academic researchers, industry innovators, and community partners in job training and education.”