# CleanFiber

> CleanFiber makes high-performance, carbon-negative cellulose building insulation from recycled corrugated cardboard. Using a proprietary wet separation and liquid borate infusion process, it produces a cleaner, lower-dust insulation that performs better than legacy newsprint-based cellulose. Based in Buffalo, New York, the company has scaled rapidly since opening commercial production in 2020 and was named the #1 fastest-growing manufacturing company in America on the 2024 Inc. 5000.

- **Founded:** 2013
- **Headquarters:** Buffalo, New York, United States
- **Founders:** Jonathan Strimling (Co-founder and former CEO (now in advisory/board transition role))
- **Team size:** ~54 employees
- **Products:** CleanFiber Cellulose Insulation, All-Borate Formulation
- **Notable:** Ranked #1 fastest-growing manufacturing company in America on the 2024 Inc. 5000 (#48 overall nationally) with a 5,684% three-year growth rate, Opened commercial production in Buffalo in 2020 after nine years of R&D, Won the 43North business competition in 2016 ($500K), relocating to Buffalo

## Products & services

- **CleanFiber Cellulose Insulation** — High-performance, carbon-negative blown-in cellulose insulation made from recycled corrugated cardboard. Manufactured via a proprietary wet separation and liquid fire-retardant infusion process for low dust, low contamination, and consistent coverage.
- **All-Borate Formulation** — An all-borate fire retardant infused directly into the fiber walls, tested per ASTM-C739, providing fire safety, plus mold and pest resistance without the dust of surface-applied retardants.

## Achievements

- Ranked #1 fastest-growing manufacturing company in America on the 2024 Inc. 5000 (#48 overall nationally) with a 5,684% three-year growth rate
- Opened commercial production in Buffalo in 2020 after nine years of R&D
- Won the 43North business competition in 2016 ($500K), relocating to Buffalo
- Secured roughly $20M in U.S. Department of Energy grant support
- Raised over $180M in total capital across equity and project financing
- Energy Star Partner with ASTM-C739 certified product

## Latest updates

- **2025-09** — Closed a $40.05M Series C round to scale carbon-negative insulation production.
- **2025-02** — Leadership transition: Sami Rahman elevated to lead the company; co-founder Jonathan Strimling moves to an advisory/board role.
- **2025-01** — Sami Rahman joins CleanFiber as President to lead innovation and growth.
- **2024-10** — Recognized in connection with U.S. Department of Energy MESC clean-manufacturing support.
- **2024-08** — Named #1 fastest-growing manufacturer in America on the Inc. 5000.

## Links

- Website: https://cleanfiber.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cleanfiber
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/cleanfiber/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/cleanfiber
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-06-15