Material World is a weekly roundup of innovations and ideas within the materials sector, covering news from emerging biomaterials and alternative leathers to sustainable substitutes and future-proof fibers.
Organic Basics x Algaeing
Intimates and essentials apparel brand Organic Basics announced its partnership with Algaeing to launch the first undergarment collection made with the algae-powered color company’s Algadye, a fully biodegradable algae-based dye formulation.
The Delta Galil subsidiary said this partnership introduces clean dyes to large-scale garment manufacturing for the first time. Algaeing’s technology allegedly saves 74 percent in greenhouse gas emissions and 98 percent in water use, compared to conventional dye manufacturing methods. When applied to Organic Basics’ ethically made essentials, the brand said, Algadye brings “new life” to the recycled materials and represents the first major step toward “detoxifying” the textile industry.
“Our partnership with Algaeing represents an important milestone in our journey toward creating products that are not only well made, but sourced and produced using the most environmentally friendly methods,” said Mads Fibiger Rasmussen, founder and CEO of Organic Basics. “By utilizing Algaeing’s technology, we’re not only redefining what’s possible in eco-conscious fashion, but also leading the charge toward a cleaner, greener future for the fashion industry as a whole.”
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The collection includes intimates like recycled nylon rib bras and underwear as well as everyday wear like bodysuits and crop tops, all dyed with Oeko-Tex Eco Passport certified Algaedye. Prices range from $14 to $40.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Organic Basics in this debut collection and bring our clean, algae-powered technology to consumers for the first time,” said Renana Krebs, co-founder and CEO of Algaeing. “Offering affordable pieces dyed with Algaeing Algadye represents our commitment to detoxifying the textile industry.”
Balenciaga x Bananatex
Balenciaga has released a limited-edition version of its Triple S sneaker in QWSTION’s Bananatex, the first durable, biodegradable and plastic-free fabric made entirely from regeneratively grown Abacá plants, a type of banana native to the Philippines.
A signature design of the avant-garde label, the sneaker was first introduced in 2017. Now, the instant classic was reimagined with a Bananatex upper, following several years of development and close collaboration between the two brands. The chunky sneaker is available in black and beige, retailing for $1,100.
“Seeing the launch of the iconic Triple S made with our next-gen innovation Bananatex is a true honor,” said Hannes Schoenegger, co-founder and CEO of Bananatex. “We would like to congratulate everyone who was involved in this project and look forward to many more in the future.”
Determinant
Men’s shirt brand Determinant has debuted the TerraTones natural dye collection, centered around upcycling agricultural waste into natural dyes.
Determinant said it uses proprietary technology to improve the color fastness and the color depth of natural dye, helping the T-shirts retain their hue better and longer than traditional natural dye products. This technology allows the Hong Kong-based brand to take unwanted agricultural waste—including husks, skins and plant parts—and upcycle it into dye, thus eliminating the need for cultivating new land to grow fresh plants for dye production. By utilizing these unwanted plant materials, Determinant said it’s providing an additional revenue stream to its farm partners.
The TerraTones collection is 100 percent cotton and inspired by vintage wash tees. It wants to serve as an homage to the past, present and future of “garment transformation.” By extracting the pigments from pomegranate rinds, indigo flowers, gallnuts and chlorophyll, the brand’s one-of-a-kind natural dye colors include khaki, blue, stone grey and light mint.