Natural Fibres

Seven natural fibre stakeholders have come together to appeal to the European Commission to put systems in place that will properly account for the environmental benefits of natural and organic fibres, and promote cooperation across EU institutions to support sustainable, resilient textile value chains.

NextGen materials innovator Keel Labs has announced the commercial launch of garments made with its seaweed-based Kelsun fibre as a range being released later today by California brand Outerknown. Co-Founder Tessa Callaghan tells texfash what it took to get Kelsun from the concept stage to its commercial arrival.

A start-up straddling two continents is spinning an all-new yarn from a 100% biodegradable and 100% recyclable, regenerative but sadly forgotten tree that since time immemorial has been growing unabashed in the wild.

Jute finally gets a formal collective identity in India with an assurance on origin and quality for traditional jute and jute-diversified products with launch of the Jute Mark India logo.

Without a rapid transition to “preferred” fibres and raw materials, including significantly reducing reliance on virgin fossil-based synthetics, the textile-fashion industry is unlikely to meet the 45% GHG emissions reduction target for raw material production by 2030, warns the just out 'Materials Market Report' by nonprofit Textile Exchange.

The International Council of Tanners (ICT), along with 28 other leather industry organisations, have reiterated their call on the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) to recognise the cyclical, climate efficient nature of natural fibres like leather and reduce unnecessary reliance on fossil-fuel-based materials.

The twin climate disasters—the drought in Texas, US and the floods in Pakistan—have ensured that the world natural fibre production will be down by 1.1 million tonnes this year, the Discover Natural Fibres Initiative (DNFI) has reported in its latest monthly update on the segment.