Luke Haverhals
FounderFounder and Chemist at Natural Fiber Welding, Inc. · Founder & Chemist at Naturalfiberwelding
Peoria, Illinois, United States
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157 people in our graph share verified history with Luke — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
About
Luke Haverhals is an analytical chemist and materials scientist who founded Natural Fiber Welding (NFW), a company developing plant-based, plastic-free materials for use in textiles, footwear, furniture, and automotive and home interiors. Its products include CLARUS fabrics made from recycled cotton, the plant-based leather alternative MIRUM, PLIANT molded composites, and TUNERA foam materials. Haverhals was named 2022 IPOEF Inventor of the Year and is a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer, while NFW was a 2024 Earthshot Prize Finalist.
Founder and Chemist at Natural Fiber Welding, Inc.
Intro paths
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Natural Fiber Welding, Inc.'s investors · 11
Co-founders at Natural Fiber Welding, Inc.

Founder & Chemist at Naturalfiberwelding
Intro paths
In turn, Luke can intro founders to Naturalfiberwelding's investors below.
Naturalfiberwelding's investors · 4
Co-founders at Naturalfiberwelding

Experience
- Various Companies | StartupsExecutive | Consultantcurrent2025 — present
- NFWFounder2024 — 2025
- NFWFounder and CEO2015 — 2024United States
- Bradley UniversityAssistant Professor2013 — 2024
- United States Naval AcademyAssistant Research Professor2008 — 2013
Skills & more
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FluorescenceMaterials ScienceAFMFrom Luke's professional profile.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Luke Haverhals?
- Luke Haverhals is an analytical chemist and materials scientist who founded Natural Fiber Welding (NFW), a company developing plant-based, plastic-free materials for use in textiles, footwear, furniture, and automotive and home interiors. Its products include CLARUS fabrics made from recycled cotton, the plant-based leather alternative MIRUM, PLIANT molded composites, and TUNERA foam materials. Haverhals was named 2022 IPOEF Inventor of the Year and is a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer, while NFW was a 2024 Earthshot Prize Finalist.
- Where does Luke Haverhals work?
- Luke Haverhals is Founder and Chemist of Natural Fiber Welding, Inc. and Founder & Chemist at Naturalfiberwelding.
- What companies did Luke Haverhals found?
- Luke Haverhals founded Natural Fiber Welding, Inc., Naturalfiberwelding.
- Where did Luke Haverhals go to school?
- Luke Haverhals studied at University of Iowa (PhD, Chemistry); Northwestern College, Orange City, IA (Bachelor of Arts (BA), Chemistry).
Founder mafias
University of Iowa mafia42
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
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Same school
Also attended University of Iowa149
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Shared employers
Also worked at Various Companies | Startups6
Also worked at NFW5
Also worked at Bradley University4
Also worked at United States Naval Academy10
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