Javier Goyeneche

Who Is Javier Goyeneche?

Javier Goyeneche is the founder of ECOALF, the first Spanish sustainable fashion brand that uses recycled materials to create high-quality clothing, footwear, and accessories. Internationally recognized as an innovator in sustainability, Javier has transformed the fashion industry with a model that blends design, ethics, and technology. Under the motto “There is no planet B,” ECOALF has set a new standard for how brands can contribute to protecting the environment.

Named one of Europe’s most visionary entrepreneurs, Javier was included in the *Thinkers50* talent radar in 2019 and awarded Social Innovator of the Year 2020 by the Schwab Foundation. He also leads the ECOALF Foundation, with initiatives such as *Upcycling the Oceans*, which has removed hundreds of tons of trash from the Mediterranean and turned it into new materials.

What is his Background?

Javier Goyeneche began his entrepreneurial journey in 1995 by founding Fun & Basics, a handbag and accessories brand that achieved significant success with 350 retail locations. After selling the company in 2012, he focused on ECOALF, a project he launched in 2009 inspired by his son Alfredo. Since then, he has spearheaded a revolution in sustainable fashion, utilizing materials such as plastic bottles, fishing nets, used tires, and coffee grounds to create innovative fabrics.

Through the ECOALF Foundation and its *Upcycling the Oceans* project, Javier has mobilized over 3,000 fishermen in 70 Spanish ports to clean up the seabed, recycling more than 700 tons of trash annually. His contributions to sustainability and the circular economy have made him a global leader in responsible innovation.