Founder & CTO at Zylotex | PhD Researcher | Transforming the Bioeconomy through Sustainable Textile Innovation & Tree-Free Manufacturing.
In the world of textile innovation, there are two types of leaders: those who follow the trends of the season and those who study the cellular structure of the future. Lelia Lawson belongs firmly to the latter. As the Founder and CTO of Zylotex, Lawson is currently spearheading a movement to decouple the textile industry from environmental degradation, but her approach isn’t just theoretical—it’s visceral.
“The best way to predict the future is to build it,” she asserts, a philosophy that bridges her twenty-year career in industrial protective clothing with her current role as a disruptor in the $40 billion global next-generation fiber market. For Lawson, building the future means looking backward at her roots on an Alberta farm and forward toward a “tree-free” manufacturing landscape that works with nature rather than attempting to conquer it.
The Alberta Soil and the Science of Survival
Lelia’s journey did not begin in a boardroom, but in the soil of Alberta, Canada. Growing up on a farm, she developed an early, innate understanding of the relationship between the land and the materials it yields. This connection to the natural landscape became the bedrock of her professional identity, instilling a deep appreciation for the origins of materials and the delicate balance of the ecosystems that provide them.
When she first arrived at the University of Alberta, her sights were set on the creative flair of fashion design. However, a single textile science course altered the trajectory of her life. The intersection of design, culture, and rigorous scientific inquiry sparked a fascination that eclipsed the runway. She traded sketches for spreadsheets and fabric swatches for fiber analysis, eventually earning both a BSc and an MSc in Human Ecology. Her early research was as high-stakes as it gets: studying the effects of moisture on heat transfer in clothing worn by wildland firefighters. This early work solidified her respect for textiles as a life-saving technology—a critical piece of equipment that stands between a human and the elements.
Before she was an industry authority, however, Lawson learned the value of the human element in the industrial machine. Her first job was as a teenager, working as a laundry aide in a local hospital for minimum wage. “I was incredibly proud to have that job,” she recalls. “It was hard work, often at odd hours, and it very quickly taught me respect for labor and for the people behind every product or service.” This lesson continues to influence her leadership style today, ensuring that as she scales Zylotex, she remains mindful of the human hands within every segment of the supply chain.
Mastering the Industrial Core
Before launching Zylotex in early 2025, Lawson spent over a decade as a Research & Development Specialist at Davey Textile Solutions. This period served as her professional crucible. She managed complex quality systems, implemented Lean Six Sigma methodologies to eliminate manufacturing waste, and navigated the intricate world of chemical finishes and high-performance trims.
Her career was defined by a relentless pursuit of technical mastery. Whether she was investigating new advancements in flame-resistant (FR) fabrics or managing offshore textile production, Lawson became an expert in the “how” of the industry. She didn’t just understand the finished product; she understood the chemistry of the dyes, the mechanics of the looms, and the logistical hurdles of global procurement.
However, as she reached the upper echelons of textile management, Lawson recognized a systemic stagnation. The industry was clinging to legacy processes that were increasingly at odds with the health of the planet. While many were content to optimize existing systems, Lawson decided to return to her academic roots to solve the problem at the molecular level. Currently pursuing a PhD, she has focused her research on regenerated cellulosic fibers derived from hemp—a move that marks her transition from an industry veteran to a visionary founder.
A New Blueprint for the Bioeconomy
At Zylotex, Lawson is addressing a glaring gap in the Canadian market. Despite having the feedstock, the science, and the talent, Canada’s share of the global next-gen fiber market is effectively zero. Lawson is determined to change that by building domestic, scalable fiber production that moves beyond the status quo.
Her core insight is as simple as it is revolutionary: “We’ve spent years trying to make hemp behave like cotton. What if the better path is working with hemp instead of against it?” By utilizing regenerated cellulose, Zylotex is creating fiber systems that align with hemp’s biology rather than forcing it into a cotton-shaped mold. This “tree-free” approach to lyocell manufacturing isn’t just about sustainability; it’s about industrial efficiency and creating a superior, resilient product that can thrive in a modern green economy.
Lawson’s work serves as a powerful advocacy for a more robust bioeconomy. She is a vocal critic of the lack of domestic production, arguing that by building local, Canada can transform from a mere supplier of raw materials into a dominant global player in sustainable manufacturing. For Lawson, the science is clear—the only thing missing is the infrastructure, and she is building the blueprints herself.
Building the Legacy
As Lelia Lawson looks toward the horizon, her focus is on scale. With Zylotex, she is currently engaging with investors and strategic partners to translate years of academic research into real-world industrial impact. Her vision extends beyond the success of a single company; she aims to foster an ecosystem where innovation and environmental responsibility are inseparable.
Her advice to the next generation of leaders reflects the grit she developed on the farm and the humility of the hospital laundry room: “Don’t wait for permission to work on meaningful problems. Learn the fundamentals deeply, but don’t be afraid to challenge legacy systems, especially in industries that are overdue for change.”
Lelia Lawson is no longer just studying the future of textiles; she is manufacturing it. By combining the precision of a scientist with the tenacity of a founder, she is proving that the most sustainable path forward is the one we build ourselves.
Editorial Note
Lelia Lawson’s journey from the hospital laundry room to the cutting edge of textile science serves as a powerful reminder that true innovation requires both a deep respect for the fundamentals and the courage to dismantle the status quo. Her work at Zylotex is a call to action for leaders across all industries to look toward the land for solutions. Are you ready to build the future, or are you waiting for permission to begin?
