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3D printing may be the future of footwear manufacturing
August 31st, 2023
Elastium, a startup based in the United Arab Emirates, and the Munich, Germany-based startup Sneakprint, have harnessed 3D printing technology to manufacture shoes. Elastium-1 sneaker. Photo: Elastium Elastium has developed sneakers using fused granulate fabrication 3D printing technology, a method of 3D printing that uses raw materials in granule, or pellet, form rather than filament […]
Biodesigns from grass root
January 1st, 2023
Zena Holloway has launched “Rootfull,” a collection of biodesigns grown entirely from grass root. The London-based designer and multi-disciplinary artist is exploring the possibilities for textiles for fashions that are sustainable and compostable. A designboom.com post says that the root itself forms a botanical skeleton that traps carbon. Using the roots like a 3D printer, […]
Leather from invasive species
September 1st, 2022
An ottoman made from Leukeather has a rich leather look and feel. Photos: Leukeather The latest member of the alternative textile family is called Leukeather and is made from dried Leucaena pods, a byproduct of existing agriculture. Leucaena leucocephala, also known as river tamarind, is a small, fast-growing tree native to southern Mexico and northern […]
Adidas skips the dye with new golf shoe collection
November 1st, 2021
Adidas’ new golf shoe collection cuts out the pre-treatment phase of conventional dye techniques, saving water and energy in the process. Photo: adidas. With the introduction of its new no-dye collection, footwear brand adidas is betting that at least some of its fans are more concerned with the environment than the color of their shoes. […]
Consumer demand for sustainable products
April 7th, 2021
Consumers around the world have adapted to social distancing measures and lockdowns over the last 12 months, with the way they dress, work and shop changing dramatically. The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol recently surveyed sustainability decision-makers at 1,000 brands and retailers in the United States and United Kingdom to determine the impact the pandemic has […]
DSM partners with Sympatex to launch Arnitel
February 8th, 2021
Royal DSM, a global science-based company active in nutrition, health and sustainable living, announced that its DSM Engineering Materials business will launch mass-balanced bio-based Arnitel®, a thermoplastic elastomer, together with Sympatex Technologies. To address growing consumer and legislative demand for lower carbon footprint and more sustainable feedstock, the sports and apparel value chain is increasingly […]
Gleistein switches to bio-based Dyneema® fibers
December 3rd, 2020
Gleistein, a manufacturer of ropes, is switching its entire portfolio of products made with Dyneema® to be manufactured exclusively from bio-based Dyneema fibers. The fibers offer the same strength and reliability of their conventionally sourced counterparts, but contribute y to climate protection due to their renewable, bio-based raw material which results in a significant reduction […]
Technical textiles go bananas
March 1st, 2020
Sustainable, smart and fashionable bags are sourced from banana trees instead of synthetic textiles that can be environmentally harmful. Photos: QWSTION. When designing a more sustainable future, sometimes the solution lies in unexpected places. That’s the idea behind Bananatex®, a durable, waterproof fabric made from banana plants. The textile is derived from Abacá, also known […]
Wheat straw gets a wearable makeover
January 1st, 2020
The eco-friendly process to create fabric from wheat straw, developed by Spinnova and Fortum, can also be applied to various biomasses without further technology development. Photo: Spinnova. Wheat straw, long regarded as agricultural waste, is getting a makeover as a unique textile. The first knitted T-shirt, jacket and skirt were introduced in October 2019 at […]
Dye textiles the natural way with the Onion Society
November 1st, 2019
Dyeing fabric the natural way with onion skins is a zero-waste process and cuts down on food waste by providing an alternative use for skins of the much beloved onion. Photos: Parsons School of Design. Onions are great on burgers, in spaghetti sauce and, of course, in French onion soup. But this vegetable possesses qualities […]