Hendrikus "Rick" van Es

PASSION FOR TEXTILES | SUSTAINABILITY PIONEER | PROTECTIVE TEXTILE SPECIALIST | BRAND ACCELERATOR

Gommiswald, St Gallen, Switzerland

About

🌍 Sustainability is a mindset, not a product. Managing Director & Co-Founder of MEMBRYX®, a developer of innovative membrane and technical textile technologies for protective, tactical, workwear, and performance apparel applications. A resilient and entrepreneurial leader with close to 30 years of international experience across the entire textile value chain—from yarn production and textile processing to applied chemistry, product development, sales, marketing, and executive leadership. Passionate about driving innovation at the intersection of performance, protection, and sustainability, with extensive expertise in: • Technical and protective textiles (PPE, workwear, police and military) • Automotive and home textiles • Sustainable textile solutions and circular business models • International business development and market strategy • Building partnerships and connecting people, companies, and ideas Co-founder and initiator of Wear2Wear, a pioneering initiative focused on closing the textile loop and advancing circularity within the textile industry. Strong advocate of European manufacturing, transparent supply chains, PFAS-free technologies, and next-generation textile innovation. Memberships: • Professional Clothing Industry Association Worldwide (PCIAW) • Swiss Textiles www.membryx.com

Experience

  • BOARD MEMBER at Aarden Coöperatie
    Nov 2024 - Present · 1 yr 9 mos

    Aarden Cooperation forms a community with which we make a powerful statement by jointly choosing sustainable tailor-made clothing of unparalleled quality and a long lifespan.

  • Non Executive MEMBER of the BOARD of DIRECTORS at Professional Clothing Industry Association Worldwide Ltd (PCIAW®)
    Feb 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 6 mos

    Global Network For Professional Clothing. PCIAW brings together organisations, experts and individuals from across the industry to create a platform through which we provide business opportunities, professional guidance and strategic support.

  • MANAGING PARTNER | CFO | BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT at MEMBRYX® GmbH
    Mar 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 5 mos

    MEMBRYX® GmbH (formerly known as Phantomleaf® Textiles GmbH) develops and manufactures advanced technical textile solutions for protective, tactical, and performance apparel applications. The company specializes in innovative membrane and textile technologies that combine protection, durability, comfort, and sustainability. With a strong focus on PFAS-free solutions, flame-retardant technologies, and European-based production, Membryx supports customers in the public safety, defense, workwear, and outdoor sectors. Through close collaboration with industry partners, the company delivers high-performance materials that meet demanding technical and regulatory requirements while ensuring transparency and resilience throughout the supply chain. MEMBRYX® GmbH is part of the Getzner Textil AG Group of Companies

  • CO-OWNER at fibre2fashion.consulting KIG
    Sep 2021 - Present · 4 yrs 11 mos

    Textile consulting, representation, marketing, sales & distribution, auditing, sustainable production and circular economy solutions. www.fibre2fashion.ch From fibre to garment and back again!

  • CO-FOUNDER at wear2wear™
    May 2017 - Oct 2022 · 5 yrs 6 mos

    wear2wear™ is an innovative partnership between companies that have committed to running their businesses in a sustainable and environmentally-​friendly manner. Each partner makes an individual contribution to the closed textile loop.