Orangefiber
The Italian love for spremuta produces a lot of orange peels that have, for the longest time, had no other use cases. Until the founders of Orangefiber thought about turning them into a silk alternative.
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Potato fibers
The UK-based startup Fibe is developing “the most sustainable fibers,” and potatoes are apparently a great alternative to cotton. It is created by fermentation before being spun into yarn.
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Soy Fabric (soy protein fiber / SPF)
Soy fabric is produced using soy protein derived from soybean hulls—a byproduct of the soy industry. Soy protein fiber has both the superiority of natural fiber and the physical properties of synthetic fiber. In a sense, soy fabric is a potential material for high-grade textile clothing in combination with cashmere or as a silk alternative. Under regular washing, there is no need to worry about fabric shrinkage, and the wrinkle resistance is excellent, on top of a light stretch.
The pros of soy fabric:
Soy fabric minimizes the use of toxic chemicals during processing
Softness
Breathability
Biodegradable
UV-resistant
Antimicrobial
The cons of soy fabric:
Cost: Comparable to low-priced textiles like cotton and polyester
Processing complexity
Side note
Henry Ford’s Obsession: Yes, the automobile magnate Henry Ford dabbled in soy fabric. He wore soy garments to promote soybean production in the United States. Picture him in a soy necktie or a suit blending “soy wool” and sheep wool fabrics.
Soybean Cars: Ford even created a soybean car! While that didn’t quite take off, some Ford vehicles from 1941 to 1945 featured soy fabric upholstery.
Algae Fabric
Algae fabric is precisely that—a textile made from living algae. These microscopic aquatic plants, fueled by photosynthesis, absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the air and release oxygen. It’s like wearing a little piece of nature right on your skin.
The pros of algae fabric:
Carbon-Neutral Creation: Algae fabric absorbs as much CO₂ during its growth as it releases when used. Essentially, it’s a carbon-neutral textile. By wearing it, you’re not adding to greenhouse gas emissions.
Integration with Existing Systems: Unlike some eco-friendly materials that require an overhaul of production processes, algae fabric can be refined similarly to petroleum-based textiles. It fits seamlessly into our current infrastructure.
Abundant and Fast-Growing: Algae doubles in size within 24 hours. It thrives in various environments, including water supplies near power plants and factories. Imagine having access to an energy resource that replenishes itself daily.
Byproducts Galore: Just like petroleum hydrocarbons, algae-based materials can yield multiple byproducts. It’s not just about clothing; it’s about a sustainable ecosystem.
The cons of algae fabric:
Cost: Here’s the catch—algae fabric isn’t cheap (yet). Research and production costs keep it on the higher end. But remember, every innovation starts somewhere, and prices tend to drop as technology advances.
Scalability Challenges: While algae fabric shows promise, we’re still optimizing production methods. Scaling up from lab experiments to mass production remains a hurdle.
Limited Availability: You won’t find algae fabric everywhere (at least not yet). It’s still a niche material, but its potential impact is enormous.
Corn fabric (PLA)
Corn fiber, also known as Ingeo fiber, emerged as a comparatively new innovation in the textile industry. Picture this: Cargill Inc. and The Dow Chemicals joined forces to create Cargill Dow Polymers LLC, the brainchild behind corn fiber.
From Starch to Strands: Corn, that humble agricultural hero, contains abundant starch. Manufacturers extract this starch from corn fibers and break it down into sugars. These sugars then undergo fermentation and separation, resulting in polymers. These polymers are the building blocks of corn fiber.
Spinning the Magic: Once we have our corn-derived polymers, they’re extruded into delicate strands. These strands are cut, carded, combed, and spun into yarn. The process echoes the craftsmanship used with wool, weaving together tradition and innovation.
The pros of corn fabric:
Eco-Friendly: Corn fiber is a manmade wonder sourced entirely from renewable resources. It’s like wearing sustainability—each thread whispers, “I come from the earth.”
Performance Meets Comfort: Imagine a fabric that combines the best of both worlds. Corn fiber boasts synthetic material advantages (think durability and performance) while embracing the cozy feel of natural fibers like cotton and wool.
Stain-Resistant and UV-Proof: Corn fabric laughs in the face of spills. It’s stain-resistant, making accidental coffee mishaps a mere blip. Plus, it shields you from UV rays—a stylish sunblock, if you will.
Versatile Applications: Corn fabric isn’t picky. It plays well in various fields—ready-made apparel, diapers (yes, even diapers!), bedding, carpets, and upholstery. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of textiles.
Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Corn fiber production means fewer greenhouse gases floating around. Mother Earth gives it a nod of approval.
Closed Life Cycle: When corn fabric reaches the end of its journey (or wardrobe), it doesn’t haunt landfills. It’s compostable and chemically recyclable. A neat, circular life cycle.
The cons of corn fabric:
Cost: Alas, innovation comes at a price. Corn fabric isn’t budget-friendly (yet). Research and production costs keep it on the premium side. But hey, Rome wasn’t stitched in a day.
Scaling Challenges: We’re still fine-tuning the process. Scaling up from lab experiments to mass production remains a hurdle.
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Coffee Ground Fibre
The Taiwanese company Singtex has developed a fabric using coffee grounds. Named S.Cafe, the eco-friendly coffee yarn was launched in 2008/09 by blending plastic bottles and coffee grounds. The coffee grounds undergo a transformation when the oils are extracted, cleansed, and ground down into micro-particles. Unlike synthetic fabrics that are processed under high heat, coffee grounds are treated in a high-pressure, low-temperature environment. The final product is deodorized, fast drying, UV resistant. Its manufacturing process involves the use of essentially non-toxic chemicals.
The pros of S.Cafe:
Performance Perk: Coffee fabric shares properties with synthetic performance wear:
Odor resistance: No more coffee-scented adventures.
Anti-bacterial: Keeps you fresh, even after that third cup.
Moisture-wicking: Say goodbye to soggy shirts.
UV protection: Shielded from sunburn, one latte at a time.
Keeps you cool: Like an iced macchiato for your skin.
The cons :
Cost: While innovation steams ahead, coffee fabric isn’t yet as budget-friendly as your morning brew
Blending with Synthetics: Most coffee fabric is still blended with synthetic fibers. However, companies like Coalatree use coffee grounds and recycled plastics, saving thousands of pounds of waste from landfills and water systems1.
Bonus
HZCork launched a coffee powder and cork can be composed of new products like coffee cork fabric, that has the same advantages as coffee grounds fiber and cork.
Bamboo Fabric
In 2001, Beijing University presented bamboo fabric. While it was initially expensive, improvement of the manufacturing process and economies of scale soon made it economically viable for mainstream applications.
The Pros of bamboo fabric:
Softness: Bamboo fabric caresses your skin like a gentle breeze. It’s softer than silk, making it a cozy choice.
Eco-Friendly: Bamboo grows faster than a caffeinated beanstalk. It’s considered sustainable due to its rapid growth and minimal need for pesticides.
Anti-Bacterial: Bamboo naturally repels bacteria. No more funky odors clinging to your clothes!
Wrinkle-Resistant: Say goodbye to ironing marathons. Bamboo fabric stays smooth.
UV Protection: It’s like wearing a sun hat for your whole body—bamboo filters up to 97.5% of UV radiation.
The cons of bamboo fabric:
While bamboo fabric is a budget-friendly alternative to some luxury fabrics, it can still be pricier than cotton or polyester blends.
Processing Complexity: Creating bamboo fabric involves chemical intensive processing. Some argue that this offsets its eco-friendliness.