Grain-based coatings, 3D printed morphogenesis effect accessories and hangers made from unused clothes may not bring a revolution, but will surely lead to a more responsible and innovative fashion era. Here is a round-up of the latest in fabrics and fibers…
Calik’s new transparency achievement
Today’s environmentally conscious consumers demand more detailed information about what they purchase than the previous generation. As a result of this, companies feel the need to become more sustainable and transparent to be more reliable and trustworthy.

Photo: Calik Denim
Calik Denim aims to become more transparent
Can morphogenesis help to save nature?
Los Angeles designer Julia Daviy has created innovative, ethical, cruelty-free, carbon-neutral, sustainable bags and jewel pieces by using a zero waste 3D printing technique.

Photo: Julia Daviy
3D printed bag by Julia Daviy
New life to old cashmere
Lineapiù, an Italian knitwear yarn manufacturer, has developed Endless, a new line of recycled cashmere GRS (Global Recycle Standard) certified yarn, available in 35 different hues.

Photo: Lineapiù
Lineapiù Endless cashmere
Scarpa’s new spirit
Scarpa’s Spirit model is a new shoe that can be worn in leisure time and for light hiking activities. This sneaker’s upper is made with cotton canvas that is made 70% out of recycled cotton and 30% out of biologic cotton, and has its uppers’ reinforcement areas and a midsole made with recycled biodegradable and renewable rubber.

Photo: Scarpa
Spirit sneaker by Scarpa
When reducing one’s impact is good for forests
Hyosung, one of the world’s largest spandex manufacturers, has recently developed its 100% recycled Creora Regen spandex made from 100% reclaimed waste from internal production.
A third-party certifier compared results of this new material’s Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) with the environmental performance of its virgin Creora spandex and calculated the amount of CO2 emitted from the entire life cycle of both fibers–from pre-manufacturing to the manufacturing stage. The final result showed that Creora Regen spandex reduces carbon dioxide production by approximately 67% compared to its virgin Creora Spandex.

Photo: Creora/Hyosung
Creora Regen spandex
How Mawa hangers can save our planet
As 90% of unwanted clothes end up in landfill or incinerators, German hanger manufacturer Mawa has developed a new selection of eco-hangers made from a bio-material, made of a 100% eco-material based on renewable raw materials and textile fibers.
By upcycling textile materials, the company avoids throwing away and burning textile waste from clothing and fabric scraps, and estimates it produces up to 85% less CO2 emissions. In addition, as part of this project any brand can decide to recycle its own fabric scraps from fashion production.

Photo: Mawa
Eco hangers by Mawa
When Lafuma limits its emissions
For s/s 2021, sportswear brand Lafuma has launched its Limited Emission Collection, whose pieces are made by recycling surplus production or items destined to be destroyed.

Photo: Lafuma
Poncho of Lafuma's Limited Emission Collection
Polartec’s future lies upon eco-engineering
Polartec, a US specialist offering innovative and sustainable textile solutions, has eliminated PFAS (per- and polyfluoralkyl substances) in its DWR (Durable Water Repellent) treatments across its line of performance fabrics. This non-PFAS treatment, the latest in Polartec’s growing EcoEngineering initiative, guarantees no loss of durability or water repellence.

Photo: Polartec
Polartec has installed a new non-PFAS treatment.
New coatings from grain
Berlin-based fashion label Raffauf uses a new textile coating obtained from waste materials left after grain processing.
After the grain is harvested, it is separated from the husk and processed into flour and other food products. Byproducts such as bran and oils are also extracted from the husk, and this process leaves a waxy substance that is usually disposed of as a waste product. The wax is hardly usable as a raw material in its solid state.

Photo: Raffauf
Textile coating obtained from waste materials left after grain processing by Raffauf
In the current collection, Raffauf uses the coating from grain waste on linen and soon will test it on organic cotton and recycled natural fibers.
Building trusted cotton relationships
5Loc Cotton is a new platform through which manufacturers and brands can find trusted sustainable cotton suppliers according to the 17 SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).
The company is led by Brent Crossland, a longtime cotton expert in cotton production and marketing, with a focus on crop protection, product development and launch, seed production and the global textile supply chain.

Photo: 5Loc Cotton
Brent Crossland, founder, 5Loc Cotton
The platform aims to connect manufacturers and brands to build a trusted and responsible supply chain that includes farmers and farmer groups, ginners, cotton merchants, shippers, manufacturers, apparel and home goods apparel, retailers and preferred cotton initiatives.
It can also deliver traceability metrics, certifications and data to help manufacturers and brands meet their short- and long-term sustainability goals.
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