Carbon positive labels, skis made with algae polymers and vegan-friendly materials: Here's Part 2 of our selection of the latest in innovative materials...
Isko goes High
For s/s 2021 High, an Italian fashion brand, and denim specialist Isko have started a partnership focused on sustainable fashion. The project includes two pieces–a jacket and a trouser–made with denims from Isko’s R-Two fabrics. This family of materials is made with a blend of reused and recycled materials including fully traced cotton from Isko’s production loss, which is prevented from becoming waste as it is added back into the spinning process, and polyester materials which are spun into newly recycled fibers.
Botto Giuseppe expands
Italian wool fabric manufacturer Botto Giuseppe has been focused on a series of corporate decisions while increasing its offer of new sustainable fabrics since 2015.
A part of this process is the constant enlarging of its Naturalis Fibra collection offering sustainable Cradle-to-Cradle certified yarns processed in the factories near Biella, which use lower-impact renewable energy sources.
The company has also received the RWS (Responsible Wool Standard) certification for all of its yarns, fabrics, and jerseys. This certification guarantees that wool comes from controlled farms that care for animal well-being, the recovery of the natural landscape and responsible land management. It also guarantees that the wool is carefully selected, traceable and monitored along the entire supply chain.
Its s/s 2022 collection includes fluoride-free water-repellent treated fabrics; lightweight melange fabrics doubled with colored water- and windproof membranes; rustic-chic fabrics achieved by using blends of cellulose fibers; alternative chambrays in linen and stretch wool; and 3-D surface effect fabrics.
Tracing the tanning value chain
Isa Tan Tec, an Asian tanning specialist, has launched its LITE (Low Impact To the Environment) sourcing program, aimed at increasing its commitment to transparency and sustainability in the supply chain. The package focuses on the sustainable use of natural resources, accountability in the supply chain and the fair and ethical treatment of animals.
“Under this program, animals are raised without antibiotics, added hormones or steroids. They are also fed with a 100% vegetarian diet,” said Ronda de Bie, senior vice president of sales, ISA TanTec Group, implying that the f/w 2022 Greener Pasture leathers are fully traceable by lot to the farms or ranches with chain of custody documentation, and meet specific animal welfare program requirements.
Vegan consumers, a new growing niche
Texon, an expert in developing and supplying material solutions for the footwear industry, has noticed an increased interest in its paper-based Texon Vogue material, which is drawing the attention of vegan consumers.
According to The United Nations’ estimates, in September 2020 there were around 78 million vegans worldwide, while The Vegan Society, a registered educational charity providing information on various aspects of veganism, estimates the vegan leather market might overtake the animal leather market by 2025 and will be worth nearly US$90 billion.
It is produced using efficient, eco-friendly manufacturing and finishing methods and is Certified to Class 1 Standard 100 by OekoTex, as it claims to be free from harmful substances and have outstanding environmental credentials.
Algae skis, the new cool
Tomorrow’s skiers might use skis made with algae polymers as Vital 100 WNDR Alpine ones. Behind this new discovery is Checkerspot, a Californian biotechnology company producing innovative and high-performance materials thanks to the Italian manufacturer of bioreactors Solaris Biotech Solutions that can transform micro-algae into biopolymers with excellent performance qualities, including good weight-power ratio, duration and impact absorption. The new skis received an award during the January 2021 edition of Ispo.
Iskur’s next step
Iskur, a Turkish denim manufacturer, previously launched Earthsquad, a line of denims produced while trying to reduce their impact on the environment. Now the denim specialist has released its new Rescue Mission group of fabrics, a more advanced collection offering more sustainable fabrics such as Zero Cotton, made with a blend of Modal, viscose, polyester, and other fabrics made with pre- and post-consumer recycled cotton yarns, cashmere and cotton blended fabrics added with elastane, hemp and cotton blended fabrics also added with elastane. Since 2020, the company uses the WAW (We Are Water) process, through which it saves up to 95% water in indigo dyeing.
Hyping natural qualities
Monticolor’s s/s 2022 yarn collection offers a selection of biologic cotton yarns including Ice Elast, a new yarn that is naturally elastic without using artificial fibers. This special cotton is OGM-free tested, grown and dyed according to GOTS certifications and produced to be dry-touch and naturally bi-stretch. When compared with a normal cotton yarn it has 15% more stretch in its width and 17% more in its length.
Labels get carbon positive
Bulgarelli, an Italian label and hangtag manufacturer, considers itself carbon positive as it can absorb the CO2 emissions it generates through specific activities. For instance, it produces 95% of the energy its uses through photovoltaic plants and can recycle 90 tons of cardboard per year. In addition, it follows productive processes that keep its water and energy consumption low. It also organizes reforestation initiatives in Bologna’s biodiversity wood and in the Val Di Fiemme woods (where wood for violins is sourced).
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