New York City is accelerating its push into sustainable materials innovation with the launch of Gotham Foundry, a new R&D hub backed by a conditional $45 million award from the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). Set to open at Harlem Biospace in 2025, the Foundry is expected to generate more than $5 billion in economic impact over the next 30 years.
Developed through a consortium of Columbia University, CUNY’s Advanced Science Research Center, the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), and community bio lab Genspace, the Foundry is the city’s first dedicated facility for sustainable materials research and commercialization.
NYCEDC President Andrew Kimball said the facility would “bring a new generation of materials from lab to market,” accelerating innovation across construction, healthcare, fashion, and other industries critical to the city’s economy.
Deputy Mayor Adolfo Carrión Jr. called the project a “world-class consortia” designed to “engineer, invent, commercialize, and launch the next chapter in sustainable material sciences right here in New York.”
The Foundry aligns with Mayor Eric Adams’ Green Economy Action Plan, which aims to expand economic opportunity through climate tech and regenerative design. The hub will focus on developing low-impact materials like biodegradable bioplastics and textiles made from food waste, a sector seeing rapid global investment. The global sustainable materials market is projected to double by 2032, according to industry forecasts.
Academic leaders also underscored the initiative’s educational and workforce benefits. Columbia Engineering’s Shih-Fu Chang called it a “collective commitment to regenerative material innovation,” while FIT President Dr. Joyce F. Brown highlighted the importance of creating new career pathways for students and creative professionals.
Councilmembers Amanda Farías and Erik Bottcher noted the Foundry’s potential to expand access for underserved communities, further linking innovation with equity.
Gotham Foundry joins a broader network of sustainability investments including BATWorks and the Greenlight Innovation Fund, reinforcing New York City’s position as a national leader in climate-focused economic development.
