Whether you are shopping for new clothes online or in a mall, you probably always come across clothing made from the same materials: polyester, cotton, nylon, wool, leather… However, the fashion industry is also seeing a rise in innovative fabrics that offer unique benefits and sustainability.
When seeking eco-friendly alternatives, choose clothes made of linen, organic cotton, recycled polyester, or hemp. But how many times did you find a clothing item made from pineapples, cacti or bananas? How about textiles made with mushrooms or algae?
Yes, all of those alternatives do exist! Not only are they very innovative and unique, but they are also great sustainable options! You might have never come across any of these fabrics yet, but more and more brands have started using them to create eco-friendly products.
In this article, we have compiled a list of 20 innovative fabrics that are making the fashion industry more sustainable. Let’s discover how cool they are!
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Why are these fabrics innovative and sustainable?
All the fabrics we are mentioning in this article are fascinating discoveries that, in one way or another, are made more sustainably. Many of them are made using by-products of certain industries, meaning that products that would have been discarded are turned into brand new fabrics. It reduces waste and does not increase the demand for new resources to be extracted from the Earth.
The production process of these innovative fabrics is also generally gentler for the planet. For instance, it may use a lot less water and fewer chemicals than most conventional fabrics. It may release fewer CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. Some of these fabrics are recycled textiles, and others are artificially made in a lab. Although a few of them are partly produced with synthetic materials, they are overall a lot more sustainable than synthetic textiles. No matter which one you want to try, you can feel good about buying one of these innovative fabrics!
Sustainable Fabrics that are Revolutionizing the Fashion Industry:
1. Algae-Based Textiles and Materials
Over the past few years, different companies, like Algaeing or Bloom, have been revolutionizing the fashion industry by developing innovative fabrics and dyes made from algae.
Algaeing works with another company, Algatech, which grows algae using vertical farming, meaning that algae are grown indoors in vertical stacks using solar energy and seawater. Algaeing is then able to convert algae into a liquid that can be used as a textile dye. By adding cellulose to the liquid, the company is also able to create fibers for the textile industry. The production process is energy efficient and free of hazardous chemicals. We also need 80% less water to produce algae-based fibers compared to the production of cotton.
Bloom Materials has developed an algae-based product for the fashion industry that serves as a bio-based alternative to foam and textiles. Their innovative material, made from harvested algae biomass, is a sustainable option that replaces traditional petroleum-based foams. This biodegradable EVA foam is utilized in various applications, including footwear and accessories.
A few brands using algae in their products are Dr.Scholl’s Shoes, Organic Basics and Native Shoes.
2. Apple leather
Apple leather is a bio-based material made using apple by-products from the juice industry. When apples are pressed to create juice, we are left with apple pomace and peels. Those by-products contain a lot of cellulose content, which is great for producing new innovative fabrics!
To do so, apple pomace is reduced to a powder, and once it has been processed, it is combined with a synthetic material, polyurethane. The final result is what we call apple leather.
Apple leather is soft and durable, and has a much lower environmental footprint compared to cowhide leather. It is often used to produce shoes and small accessories like wallets or handbags.
Allegorie, Nae and Matt & Nat all use apple leather for a range of their products – from handbags to shoes.
3. Bananatex®
Created as the world’s first biodegradable and regeneratively grown fabric made from Abacá banana plants. This durable fiber uses a part of the plant that typically goes to waste, but the banana fiber is very strong, naturally water-resistant, and functional for various uses.
Bananatex is already making its way into mainstream fashion and can be used in backpacks, suitcases, tech accessories, shoes, outdoor gear, and clothing. You can watch the full process in their short film “A Textile (R)evolution”
Many brands have used this textile for past collections, but Qwstion is the only brand we can find currently using it.
4. Biofabricated Textiles
Modern Meadow has developed two innovative biofabricated materials, Bio-Vera™ and Bio-Tex™, aimed at transforming the textile industry with a focus on sustainability.
These advanced biomaterials utilize precision fermentation and bio-based ingredients to create high-performance, durable, and versatile alternatives to conventional textiles.
Bio-Vera™ is designed to minimize the reliance on petrochemicals and materials derived from animals, promoting a more sustainable approach to fabric production.
Meanwhile, Bio-Tex™ offers a luxurious and eco-friendly option for the fashion, footwear, and accessories markets. Both of these materials enable brands to reduce their environmental impact while maintaining high standards of quality and aesthetics.
5. Cactus Leather
Cacti are amazing plants! They regenerate the soil naturally, help prevent soil erosion and desertification, and they can absorb carbon dioxide up to 30% of their body mass. But they can also be turned into sustainable fabrics!
Developed in Mexico, cactus leather is made from Opuntia Cactus, also called Nopal. Only the mature leaves of cacti are harvested, meaning that no cacti are harmed in the process. Cacti also need very little water to grow, and there is no need for artificial irrigation or pesticides.
After the leaves are cut, they are mashed and dried for a few days. They are then mixed with non-toxic chemicals, and finally, attached to a backing.
More and more brands are designing products with cactus leather, including Allegorie and Lo & Sons.
6. Fibe
Just when we thought there was no other way to use a potato, Fibe proves us wrong. Skip mashed, baked, fried, and distilled potato fiber is one of the newest innovative fabrics on the scene.
With the patent-pending technology, Fibe claims the innovative fabric could replace and have the capacity to fulfill up to 70% of the world’s demand for natural fiber.
Created from the unusable stems and leaves of the potato, Fibe has the potential to change the fashion and agricultural industry.
Fibe is biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable, making it an exciting alternative to synthetic fabric.
This textile would be great for everyday apparel.
7. Leaf leather
Leaf leather is a plant-based leather alternative made from tree leaves (generally Teak leaves). It is strong and water-resistant, and the leather features the natural design of leaves, making it unique and beautiful.
To produce leaf leather, fallen Teak leaves are collected and no trees are harmed to do so. The leaves are soaked in water, dyed and laid flat together to dry.
The drying process bonds them, which leaves us with a large sheet of leaf material that is then mended with cotton fabric. Before it can be sewn into accessories, a thin BOPP film is applied to make the fabric waterproof and more durable.
Jungley creates cool wallets, bags and journals out of leaf leather.
8. Lotus fabric
Made from the lotus flower, lotus fabric looks like a blend of silk and linen, and it is breathable and wrinkle-resistant, which makes it ideal for clothes and accessories. It is also soft to the touch, stain-resistant and 100% waterproof.
The production process of lotus fabric is inspired by ancient techniques. It is sustainable and very time-consuming since it is done by hand.
Once the stems of the lotus flowers are harvested, workers delicately extract the microfibers from the stems by hand. The fibers are then dried, and they are carefully rolled into a thread that will be used to weave clothing.
You can find beautiful clothes and accessories made from lotus flowers at Katruss and Sofia Vera.
9. Lyocell (Tencel)
Lyocell is a type of rayon that has been gaining popularity in recent years as more and more brands have been making clothing from it. There are different kinds of lyocell, the most famous one being Tencel.
Tencel is made from eucalyptus trees sourced from sustainably managed forests. The fibers are harvested, pulped, and mixed with a solvent, before being dried using a process called spinning. The mixture is pushed through small holes to create threads, it is chemically treated and the fibers are then spun into yarn. Tencel is made in a closed-loop system in which water and solvents are recycled.
If you are looking for clothing made from Tencel, Eileen Fisher & Everlane have products made with this great fabric!
10. Mango leather
In the United States, about 20% of mangoes in grocery stores are discarded, not to mention the huge quantities that are wasted before they even arrive on the supermarket shelves.
Thankfully, some brands are taking action to reduce the number of wasted mangoes by turning them into new products. After sourcing discarded mangoes, these companies de-seed and pulp the fruit.
Then, they mix it with a binding agent, water-based polyurethane, and pour the mix into large trays, before screeding the surface to make it smoother.
When it is dry, the material is colored and waterproofed. The whole process is eco-friendly, and it creates a strong leather-like material, mango leather.
11. MIRUM
MIRUM is an innovative leather-like material that stands out due to its composition, as it contains no plastic whatsoever. It is certified to be made of 100% bio-based content, verified by the USDA’s BioPreferred program. The hallmark of MIRUM is its commitment to using entirely natural materials, which enhances its recyclability at the end of its lifecycle, whether it is utilized as a bag, shoe, or belt.
This material is crafted from abundant plant matter and incorporates ‘upcycled’ agricultural byproducts, similar to Piñatex, which makes use of pineapple plant leaves instead of the fruit. This approach not only promotes efficiency but also supports renewable resource use. MIRUM’s versatility allows for customization in terms of texture, feel, thickness, and color. Brands can tailor MIRUM to their specifications, resulting in a unique product that meets various design requirements.
Bellroy, Camper & Svala are a few brands using Mirum to make vegan handbags and shoes.
12. Mushroom leather
Mylo, or mushroom leather, is a vegan leather alternative developed by the company Bolt Threads and designed to have a minimal environmental impact. It is made from mycelium, which is the branching underground root system of mushrooms.
Bolt Threads uses mycelium cells and makes them grow on beds of organic matter in a vertical farming facility that is 100% powered by renewable energy.
Together, the cells form an interconnected 3D network that is then processed by the company. It is tanned and dyed, transforming it into a leather-like material.
Mylo is soft, supple and durable, which makes it ideal to use in the fashion industry. Sustainable brand Stella McCartney launched a bustier top and trousers that are the first-ever garments made from Mylo. Plus, they have this beautiful handbag pictured made from Mylo, as well.
13. Nettle fiber
Made from nettle plants, nettle fiber was already used by humans during the Bronze Age. Over the centuries, the use of nettle fibers to make clothes was very popular, but it quickly declined when we started using cotton as an alternative, which was easier and more convenient to grow.
However, clothes made from nettle fibers are more sustainable than those made of cotton, because nettles need less water and pesticides to grow.
Nettle fibers are extracted from the nettle plant stem and are then carded and spun. This process creates a strong cord that can be used to produce ropes and fishing nets, or when blended with cotton or wool, to create clothing.
Pangaia has an entire denim collection made from wild Himalayan nettle!
14. Orange fiber
Did you know that each year, 110 to 120 million tons of citrus waste are generated around the world? An Italian company, Orange Fiber, decided to do something about it and created a sustainable fabric made from orange juice by-products.
To produce orange fiber, the company uses hundreds of thousands of tons of orange waste. It extracts the cellulose from the peels using its patented process and turns it into a fiber that is spun into yarn. Then, it is woven into a silk-like fabric that is soft and lightweight. It can also be shiny or opaque depending on the final use.
Italian luxury brand Salvatore Ferragamo launched in 2017 a capsule collection of women’s wear made from citrus by-products in collaboration with Orange Fiber.
You can find ties and scarves from E. Marinella made from orange fiber – as well as a beautiful collection of sleepwear & loungewear from Katruss.
15. OYSTEX
Created by the clothing brand Jetty, OYSTEX is bringing the ocean to your closet. By combining ground oyster shells, recycled plastic, and natural fibers, OYSTEX is created for functional performance fabric.
It is anti-static, anti-odor, breathable, and moisture-wicking. OYSTEX makes a way to reduce seafood industry waste and create an innovative fabric from what is typically viewed as trash.
While natural oyster shell waste isn’t much of an environmental concern, when large quantities of shells are dumped back into the ocean, it causes severe ecosystem disruption. On land, oyster shells take several years to break down, resulting in the quick filling of landfills.
16. Parblex
Parblex is an innovative bioplastic made using potato waste and developed by the company Chip[s] Board. The company does not disclose much information about its exact production process, but it involves different steps like fermentation, purification, and then polymerization.
Parblex is made from potato peelings, and it is mixed with other agricultural waste, such as wood flour or walnut shells, to strengthen it and give it a certain texture and color.
The material is biodegradable and recyclable, and Chip[s] Board does not use any toxic resins or chemicals derived from oil to produce it. It also reincorporates offcuts back into the production process.
The bioplastic has already been used by the eyewear brand Cubitts London, and to make buttons by Isabel Fletcher.
17. Piñatex
Pineapple leather, or Piñatex, is an innovative natural textile made from pineapple leaf fiber, which is an agricultural waste product. When pineapples are harvested, their leaves are collected and the long fibers are extracted with special machines. After they are washed, the fibers are dried and they go through a purification process to eliminate impurities.
The fluff-like pineapple leaf fiber that is left is mixed with a corn-based polylactic acid and transformed into a non-woven mesh called Piñafelt. Finally, the Piñafelt is colored using GOTS-certified pigments and coated with a resin made from polyurethane to make it even more durable and waterproof.
Piñatex has been used by over 1,000 brands, including one of our favorite sustainable brands Svala. The company that manufactures Piñatex, Ananas Anam, is a certified B Corporation.
18. S.Café®
By using recycled coffee grounds and plastic, S.Cafe is a new solvent-free, UV-resistant, moisture-wicking innovative fabric. It also has natural odor control, can be spun into yarn, and reduces CO2 emissions compared to conventional carbonized materials.
Creating S.Cafe fabrics allows an alternative use for coffee waste and turns it into a new resource. S.Cafe is widely versatile, with the ability to be made into fleece, thermal, and outdoor wear membrane materials while maintaining the same sustainable process.
The technology was invented by Singtex in 2008 and has already received recognition from the top three global invention award organizations. S.Cafe can be used for luggage, bedding, shoes, accessories, outdoor gear, and clothing. Because it is also made from plastic, we would advise brands to not use this material for clothing that needs to be washed often due to microplastics.
Image: Hublot
19. Spinnova fabric
Finnish company Spinnova created a sustainable fiber made from wood, agricultural waste & textile waste, by observing how spiders spin their webs.
The production process of Spinnova fabric uses 99% less water than cotton production, generates minimal emissions, and does not involve toxic chemicals.
To produce this innovative fabric, the company starts by refining cellulose made of FSC-certified wood. The pulp then flows through a nozzle at high pressure, where the fibers rotate and align with the flow. After that, the fibers are dried and collected, before being spun into yarn.
The resulting fabric is 100% biodegradable and recyclable, which means that it is made in a closed-loop system.
The North Face & Bergans partnered with Spinnova to launch their own collections made of Spinnova fabric.
20. Vegea
Vegea, also known as wine leather, is an innovative fabric made from leftover grape skins from winemaking, vegetable oils as well as other natural fibers from the agroindustry.
It is estimated that for every 10 liters of wine produced, 2.5 liters of waste are created. Thankfully, this waste can be upcycled into one square meter of wine leather!
To produce Vegea, the grape marc, which consists of grape skins, stalks and seeds, has first to be dried. After this step, it is combined with vegetable oil and water-based polyurethane. The mix creates a bio-based material that is coated into a fabric. The production process excludes toxic chemicals, dangerous solvents and heavy metals.
I like the content. Appreciate your efforts to gather such valuable information. I work in sustainability role in textile. I would look forward to read new innovation in outerwear industry.
Thanks
Thank you for your article. These days my take on anything that is part synthetic is poison for my body as my skin absorbs the fabric. Unless it is natural, it’s dangerous for your health in one way or another.
I agree! Staying away from synthetics is much better for our health. Thanks for sharing <3