“Our nanofibre coating represents a fundamental shift”
Founded in 2021, Soarce is a materials innovation company developing bio-based nanofibre additives designed to enhance composite performance at the fibre-resin interface. Its recent recognition at JEC World 2026 as Grand winner during the Startup Booster challenge underscores both the technological relevance of its approach and its growing standing within the advanced composites industry.
JEC Composites Magazine: Could you briefly describe your organisation?
Mason Mincey: Founded in 2021 by Derek Saltzman alongside, Matthew Jaeger, Patrick Michel and me, Soarce is developing a new class of bio-based materials aimed at addressing persistent limitations in composite performance. The company’s technology centres on converting biomass into high-performance nanofibre additives that can be integrated directly into existing manufacturing systems. Operating from lab and pilot-scale environments, Soarce works closely with industrial partners to validate performance under application-relevant conditions. This approach enables rapid translation from material development to manufacturable solutions. Supported by approximately $3.5 million (€3 million) in pre-seed funding, including backing from the National Science Foundation and BoostVC, the company is now advancing contract manufacturing capabilities and collaborating with leading carbon fibre and fibreglass producers to introduce next-generation sizing formulations.
The fibre-resin interface has been a known challenge in the composites industry for decades. In what way does your nanocellulose fibre coating represent a genuine breakthrough compared to conventional sizing agents?
M.M.: For decades, conventional sizing agents have acted primarily as compatibility layers, creating relatively smooth interfaces that limit load transfer and ultimately contribute to micro-cracking and delamination. Our nanofibre coating represents a fundamental shift by transforming the interface into an active reinforcement mechanism…
Cover photo: Recoloured atomic force microscopy image of coated carbon fibre showing a 2.5x increase in surface
Read the full article on page 14 of the issue 168 of JEC Composites Magazine.
