Sustainable Fabrics
In our world, there is a give-and-take relationship. This may begin with a simple smile that we return in the morning when we see a stranger on the tube. Similarly, after planting veggies in our garden, we harvest them and start again with fresh seeds to produce new plants. A recent analysis predicts that by 2030, the sector would be 133 million metric tonnes short of lower-impact materials unless brands increase their commitment and investment. (BOF) But don't worry; in this week's blog post, we will dive deep into three sustainable fabrics that truly contribute to our environment. Join us as we explore these three types of fabrics and investigate their true sustainability.
TENCEL ™ Modal
So, what's the deal with Modal? It's basically an alternative to cotton and because it is very soft, this fabric is perfect for all kinds of comfortable clothes like underwear, PJs, robes, bed sheets, and more. But, here's the thing, since it comes from trees, it's important to know where those trees are coming from and how they're turned into this fabric. For Modal to be eco-friendly, it's got to come from sustainable forests and be processed in a way that doesn't go crazy on the chemicals going into the air and water. Now, the big name in Modal game is this Austrian company called Lenzing AG, who's now marketing their Modal as TENCEL ™ Modal. The fibres come from wood, which is a renewable resource produced through photosynthesis. Also, they are made using an eco-friendly manufacturing process. All these factors provide these fibres to decompose and return to nature along with having the according certifications. Their new TENCEL ™ - branded Modal with Indigo tech is the real deal. This kind of Modal is used in the denim industry and is revolutionary in terms of elevating its sustainability. It dyes the fabric in one shot, using way fewer resources, and it even got a shoutout from the EU Ecolabel for being kind to the environment. Pretty neat, huh?
ECOVERO™
The next really cool fabric also comes from LENZING™. They're using more sustainable wood, you know, the kind that comes from forests that are all properly certified in Europe. They're calling it the new eco-responsible viscose, and it's all about being friendly and responsible towards the planet. Knowingly, viscose is sustainable, but the manufacturing process should be researched properly, to be sure. Yes, viscose is a plant-based fibre which initially makes it non-toxic and non-polluting. But a large portion of viscose on the market today is produced cheaply by energy, water, and chemically intensive procedures that have detrimental effects on the environment, local communities, and labourers. This is due to the expanding fast fashion industry. Whereas ECOVERO™ is manufactured from renewable wood sources, and they're super careful about how they make it. They make sure to follow really high environmental standards. Also, because Lenzing is based in Austria more than half of the trees they use are local to the area, so that means way fewer harmful emissions to air and water. But that's not all, nearly all the chemicals they use in the process get recycled, which is super valuable to the environment & causes way less harm to it. They're cutting down on emissions, using less energy and water, and even making sure the water they do use gets all clean before it goes back to nature. How awesome is that? Some stylish brands which use ECOVERO™ for some of their clothes include Ganni, By Malene Birger and Farm Rio.
TENCEL ™ x REFIBRA ™ Technology
The Refibra technology is described as Lenzing’s latest innovation in circular economy. This pioneering technology involves upcycling cotton scraps from previous production. These cotton scraps are transformed into cotton pulp. A substantial proportion – up to one third – of this is added to wood pulp, and the combined raw material is transformed to produce new virgin TENCEL™ Lyocell fibres to make fabrics and garments. This may be the most circular model of fabric out of the bunch. The creation of virgin TENCEL ™ Lyocell fibres from pre- and post-consumer waste and wood pulp is a truly circular approach that has been adopted by a few very large players in the industry, such as Ganni. Because of the unique specific identifying technology that verifies the origin of the fibre, TENCEL ™ fibres with REFIBRA ™ technology may be recognised in yarns, fabrics, and finished clothing. Thus, supply chain transparency is enhanced. Because of the soft and cotton-like feel, this type of fabric is used to produce garments varying from men’s shirts & undergarments to towels. The fibres are also commonly mixed with cotton or recycled polyester.
In conclusion, the exploration of TENCEL™ Modal, ECOVERO™, and TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ Technology reveals not only the remarkable strides made in sustainable fabric innovation but also their pivotal role in shaping the identity of eco-conscious brands. As these fabrics gain prominence, they not only signify a positive shift in the fashion industry but also contribute significantly to the ethos of responsible and sustainable practices. Look for the Responsible Value on our sustainability framework to explore the brands producing with low-impact materials.