The Journey to Sustainability at ITV
The journey towards sustainability in the Textile and Clothing Industry leads us to explore extraordinary advances in the area of materials, from natural fibers that embrace nature in a unique way, to innovative fibers biobased, which point towards a greener and more responsible future. Furthermore, we cannot forget the constant evolution of recycled fibers that are creating an alternative panorama for the textile industry.
After all, the search for sustainability requires critical analysis and a continuous commitment to improvement.
Fashion evolves, and every choice we make as creators and consumers has a significant impact on the future.
Weaving the Future of ITV
It is first important to show the difference between “Sustainable Fashion” and “Conscious Fashion“. The first concerns the way products are produced and the second concerns consumer behavior.
“Sustainable Fashion” advocates increased adoption of materials that minimize impacts on the environment. “Conscious Fashion” addresses consumer awareness of the importance of environmental and social issues of production, behind the product.
In this way, the conscious consumer is the one who looks for products with sustainable, quality materials and greater durability. Many of these consumers are also looking for products with meaning or that provoke dialogue about sustainability.
Natural fibers that embrace nature
Natural fibers, coming from plant, animal or mineral sources, stand out in the industry for their timeless elegance and environmental benefits.
Cotton is a versatile natural fiber known for its softness and breathability, making it a popular choice in clothing. Silk, extracted from the silkworm cocoon, offers a luxurious touch and unique shine.
Advantages such as biodegradability, comfort to the touch and thermal regulation make natural fibers an option for developing products that seek to combine sustainability and quality. However, the intensive use of water resources in cotton production and the ethical considerations related to silk require the exploration of innovative and sustainable alternatives in the creation of new products.
The beauty of natural fibers lies not only in their distinctive characteristics, but also in the ongoing search for practices that respect our planet and people, such as due diligence in the supply chain, to ensure compliance with human and environmental rights during production.
Regenerative agriculture is also a process innovation, which works to continuously improve the soil with practices that promote their microbial activity and increase carbon retention. In return, we see an improvement in plant health, water retention capacity and crop productivity, including yield.
Some cases of using sustainable production practices:
• The Good Earth Cotton® is a modern regenerative agriculture program that empowers global producers, communities and members of the textile supply chain as agents of change through an environmentally beneficial approach to global cotton and agriculture.
• The Better Cotton Initiative™ is the largest cotton sustainability program in the world and helps cotton communities survive and thrive, while protecting and restoring the environment.
• Reginagri®, which supports farms and organizations in the transition to holistic agriculture, increasing soil health, encouraging biodiversity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and sequestering CO2, providing farmers with alternatives to obtain additional funds through carbon credit markets and environmental subsidies.
New generation of regenerated fibers:
The growing interest in regenerated artificial fibers is due to their renewable, biodegradable and recyclable nature.
Regenerated cellulose fibers produced with cellulose paste recycled from agricultural waste, textile waste and/or bacterial cellulose stand out, such as:
• Kuura®: are committed to environmental responsibility and the circular economy, using wood and other waste from forests, with the main attributes being circularity, traceability, biodegradability, as well as producing proximity between the origin of the waste and its transformation, combined with its competitive capacity in environmental and social sustainability.
• Lyohemp®: from hemp waste, with the aim of obtaining high-quality and multifunctional fibers, such as superabsorbent, bioactive, with thermophysiological management, conductive, among others.
• Refibra™: from the recycling of textile waste into cotton, which is identifiable, thus improving the transparency of the supply chain.
• AeoniQ™: coming from agricultural waste and cellulose bacteria, promises to replace polyester and polyamide, be biodegradable and infinitely recyclable.
• Nucycl®: from cotton textile waste, inherently soft, absorbent and more resistant than conventional cotton or polyester.
• Nanollose™: from bacterial cellulose, produced sustainably and with high production yield
New approach to synthetic fibers:
More sustainable alternatives have emerged in synthetic fibers, through changes in manufacturing processes, the origin of materials or their biodegradability capacity.
The recycled fiber revolution is also gaining momentum. Transforming post-consumer waste into new fibers is a necessary approach to reducing the textile industry’s environmental footprint, but it is crucial to address quality challenges and ensure the effectiveness of the recycling process.
Bio-basedfibres, derived from renewable sources such as corn, sugar cane and other plants, are increasingly highlighted in the search for sustainable alternatives. The ability of these fibers to reduce dependence on non-renewable resources makes them a smart choice for product creators committed to a greener future. However, it is important to consider the availability of land for growing these fibers and the potential impact they may have on food production.
Whether through the acceleration of the biodegradability process of synthetic fibers, the use of bio-based polymers or production through fermentation processes, some of these alternatives stand out:
• CiCLO®: can be applied to polyester or polyamides, allowing it to be attacked by microorganisms, favoring its biodegradability, similar to a natural wool fiber.
• Roica™ EF: is an elastane fiber produced with 58% pre-consumer recycled material and with a reduction of around 30% of carbon emissions in the production cycle.
• Spiber – Brewed Protein™: is a fiber manufactured by fermentation processes of vegetable ingredients to obtain protein fibers.
• EVO by Fulgar®: is a polyamide fiber produced from materials bio-based, such as castor oil. It is ultra-light, quick-drying, has good thermal and odor control properties, being a mix of properties between polyamide and polyester fiber.
Transforming waste into opportunities
Mechanical recycling of textile materials is also an opportunity to develop more environmentally friendly products, but it is a finite solution, as it mechanically degrades the fibers.
The mechanical transformation of textile waste still has numerous challenges, such as mixing materials, separating accessories and non-textile elements from their surface, including the type of chemical components used in their manufacture.
Some cases of successful mechanical recycling processes are:
• Valérius 360 – is a Portuguese case that transforms pre-consumer textile waste into new products, although it is also working in post-consumption. They currently produce yarns with mixtures of Tencel™ (Liócell) and cotton.
• Belda Lloréns – offers a wide range of recycled yarns from pre-consumer and post-consumer origins, mixed with natural, regenerated or recycled synthetic fibers.
• Swinsol – already promises 100% mechanically recycled yarns in Ne30 cotton.
The revolution is underway
The sustainable revolution is already happening. The choice of textile fibers is crucial for starting the sustainable development process, but we cannot forget the entire process involved in its transformation and the end of the product’s life.
This approach not only contributes to a more resilient planet, but also opens doors to the creation of innovative and differentiating products.
At NITextile we are committed to providing up-to-date information on the latest trends.
Keep an eye out for more news and together we can shape a more sustainable and innovative future of ITV!
Useful Links:
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/15/11589
https://mci.textileexchange.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Textile-Exchange_MCI-Insights_2022.pdf
https://sustainablereview.com/the-must-have-sustainable-fabrics-for-eco-friendly-fashion-trends/
https://www.sustainably-chic.com/blog/innovative-fabrics-in-sustainable-fashion