Buffalo Next: CleanFiber secures $20M in federal funds to help expand nationally

With $20 million in grants secured from the U.S. Department of Energy, CleanFiber is opening new plants in Washington and Texas. These grants are part of more than $75 million in financing vehicles, grants, and tax credits the Buffalo-headquartered startup has secured in 2024. The company, which makes building insulation from recycled corrugated cardboard supporting energy efficiency, moved to Buffalo after winning $500,000 in the 43North business competition in 2016. The company was founded in Massachusetts in 2013 and was originally named UltraCell. Production facilities will be built in Lewis County, Washington and Ellis County, Texas. CleanFiber employs more than 100 people in Western New York, and company officials say over 40% of them represent marginalized groups. Read more >>