Robert Natelson’s Post

🌱 Future Sustainable Materials: What Product Developers Need to Know 🌱 From mycelium packaging to pineapple leather and algae-based foams, innovation is reshaping product development. Consumers demand eco-friendly materials, and staying ahead of trends like hemp textiles or recycled ocean plastics is key to success. The challenge? Balancing performance, scalability, and sustainability. My latest blog explores cutting-edge materials, their pros and cons, and why they’re trending. 👉 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gBfV5e3S #Sustainability #ProductDevelopment #Innovation #EcoDesign #FutureMaterials

If you don't really understand alternative feedstocks (non-petroleum) and you're confused about what #biobased means, then this is a great read. I'm not going to answer any questions that are prefaced by "bioplastics are as dangerous as petroplastics". If you are still at that level, perhaps donate to the oil industry. "Reducing fossil fuel use with durable, recyclable and bio-based textile Currently, most fibres and films are made using fossil fuels. To reduce fossil fuel use, there is a need for high-performance, bio-based alternatives with sustainable end-of-life options. To meet this need, the CBE JU-funded EFFECTIVE project has redesigned two widely used materials: polyamides and polyesters. ‘The product needs to last, it needs to be durable, and it needs to perform. When we’re using a sustainable material, we need the same standards, we need to have the same quality as a benchmark product. That’s really important for us: if we lower our standards just because it’s a more sustainable material, it wouldn’t be a sustainable product as it wouldn’t last,’ explained René Bethmann, Innovation Manager at German outdoor clothing manufacturer Vaude, an EFFECTIVE partner." https://lnkd.in/emP-MrEB

The US$2 trillion textile market is considered one of the most polluting industries in the world, producing approximately 600 billion metres of fabric annually. The industry is responsible for significant water pollution, industrial waste and greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainable textile technology company Xefco is looking to change that. Breakthrough Victoria is investing $2.5 million in the early-stage tech company, whose plasma coating technology allows for the dyeing and finishing of fabric to be completed in a single process without using any water.  Our CEO Grant Dooley said, “We believe Xefco has the potential to move major global fashion brands towards more eco-friendly and efficient manufacturing processes that are safer for workers, water-free, eliminate water pollution and reduce carbon emissions.” Main Sequence Virescent Ventures Clean Energy Finance Corporation Investible VOYAGERS.io #pollution #textile #tech #fashion #water Read the media release here: https://lnkd.in/gPyuUVc8

Did you know that every time you wear, wash, and dry your clothes, tiny plastic fibers are released into our environment, contributing to microplastic pollution? Scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office’s BOTTLE Consortium have developed an emerging solution that could address the challenge of preventing clothes from shedding at the source: replace today’s petroleum-derived polyester with a nontoxic, biodegradable alternative made from PHAs, short for “polyhydroxyalkanoates.” Learn how the BOTTLE Consortium is teaming up with The North Face to bring these sustainable materials into the outdoor apparel industry! https://lnkd.in/egKu3R5Y #bioenergy

PLASTIC EATING ENZYMES What I am most excited for with biological recycling is that material quality doesn’t change and it fits into existing manufacturing systems -- game changer. The polyester fabrics (made from PET, a type of plastic also used in water bottles and clamshell packaging) can go through the process again, without weakening the fibers or needing to be mixed with virgin material. Interesting, the enzymes are designed by artificial intelligence to break the PET or polyester down to monomers, turn into PET chips, then spun into yarn and woven into fabric. And these chips are the same as virgin polyester chips, so they fit right into existing manufacturing systems. Less than 1% of textile waste is recycled into new fibers. So much opportunity for better. Connor Lynn Protein Evolution Stella McCartney #ai #biologicalrecycling #textile #fashionwaste #stellamccartney

#Algae are a promising resource in the industry, offering sustainable alternatives that align with growing consumer demand for eco-friendly and ethically produced clothing and accessories. As technology and awareness continue to evolve, algae-based materials are likely to play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of sustainable fashion. Here are a few notable examples of brands : Peelsphere® A circular material innovation crafted from fruit waste and algae using advanced material engineering techniques. This sustainable creation redefines the utilization of fruit waste, minimizes carbon footprint and is designed with circularity in mind. Serving as an excellent substitute for leather and synthetic alternatives, PEELSPHERE® is characterized by its beauty, durability, versatility, and biodegradability.  BLOOM Sustainable Materials BLOOM Foam partners with various brands to incorporate their algae-based foam into products like shoes, yoga mats, and other athletic gear. Their foam is made from algae biomass harvested from freshwater sources affected by harmful algal blooms.  Living Ink A bioscience research and product company that explores and develops new formulations and applications for algae-based inks. Their aim is to provide alternatives to conventional petroleum-based inks that are both functional and environmentally responsible.  #CraftingCommunityWithaSustainableMind Daphne Koh https://lnkd.in/gsgjR7Pb

𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 This white paper, published by the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, offers a stark yet hopeful look at the apparel industry's environmental and social impact. It underscores the pressing need for change, urging stakeholders across the supply chain – from material producers to consumers – to adopt more sustainable practices. Here are some key takeaways and insights: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺: • 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗧𝗼𝗹𝗹: The report highlights the environmental consequences associated with the production of common materials like polyester, cotton, and leather. These include reliance on fossil fuels, high greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, use of toxic chemicals, and animal welfare concerns. • 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝘂𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲: The report criticizes the fast fashion model, where cheap, trendy garments with short lifespans contribute to a growing mountain of textile waste. Blended fabrics further complicate recycling efforts. • 𝗘𝗻𝗱-𝗼𝗳-𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀: Landfilling and incineration remain the dominant methods of textile disposal, leading to waste accumulation, greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, and resource depletion. 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: • 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁: The paper showcases promising solutions for each material, including recycled polyester, organic cotton, lab-grown cotton, chrome-free tanning techniques, and plant-based leather alternatives. • 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲: Innovations like precision agriculture, automated textile sorting, and chemical recycling offer potential to improve resource efficiency and increase textile recyclability. • 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗞𝗲𝘆: The report emphasizes the need to assess the entire lifecycle impact of materials and solutions, ensuring that addressing one problem doesn't inadvertently create others. • 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿: Brands are encouraged to leverage certification programs and increase supply chain transparency to ensure responsible sourcing and ethical production practices. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: • 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Collaboration between brands, manufacturers, recyclers, policymakers, and consumers is crucial. • 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀: Choose quality over quantity, prioritize sustainable materials, and support responsible brands. • 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: Design for longevity, reuse and recycle materials, minimize textile waste. #Sustainability #ApparelIndustry #CircularFashion #SustainableMaterials #TextileRecycling #FastFashion #ConsciousConsumer

As I watched this powerful video, it brought into sharp focus the truth we often choose to ignore: the planet is slipping through our fingers, and the fashion industry is one of the key drivers of this collapse. We can see all over the world entire beaches and mountains are buried under mounds of discarded clothes, many made from polyester and synthetic fibers, polluting the land, air, and sea. But this problem doesn’t start at the end of a garment’s life—it begins long before. The fashion industry, in its current form, is one of the most resource-intensive industries on the planet, with its environmental impact felt at every stage: Fibre Cultivation and Production: - Growing cotton accounts for 24% of global insecticide use and 11% of pesticide use, severely contaminating water supplies and soils. Producing just one kilogram of cotton requires up to 20,000 liters of water, a resource we are already depleting at alarming rates. - Synthetic fibers, like polyester, are derived from fossil fuels. Their production releases 2 to 3 times more CO₂ than cotton. Polyester production alone emits approximately 706 million tons of greenhouse gases annually. Wet Processes: - The fashion industry’s wet processes, which include dyeing, washing, and finishing, are extremely water and chemical-intensive. The industry consumes an estimated 79 billion cubic meters of water annually—enough to fill 32 million Olympic-sized swimming pools. - 20% of industrial water pollution globally comes from textile treatment and dyeing, and much of this untreated wastewater is released directly into rivers and oceans, contaminating drinking water, destroying ecosystems, and harming biodiversity. - The emissions from these wet processes include dangerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs), greenhouse gases, and other pollutants that contribute to poor air quality and climate change. Energy Use and Emissions: - It’s estimated that the fashion industry is responsible for 1.2 billion tons of CO₂ emissions annually, more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. - Most of the industry’s factories are located in countries where energy grids are powered predominantly by fossil fuels, exacerbating the sector’s carbon footprint. Waste and End of Life: - 92 million tons of clothing waste generated each year. Over 60% of garments are made from synthetic fibers like polyester. It is time to rethink the way we produce and consume. We need to invest in circular economies, regenerative agriculture, and clean production technologies. Brands must take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products, designing with the end in mind and reducing their overall footprint—from energy, water, and chemical use to the emissions and waste generated at every stage of production. The climate crisis is an existential threat. We can no longer afford short-term profits at the expense of long-term survival.

🌿 Exploring Sustainability Challenges in the Nonwovens Industry: Zhink's Insightful Blog! Dive into the world of nonwovens with Zhink's latest blog, "Nonwovens Industry Faces Sustainability Challenges." Discover the evolution, challenges, and promising shifts in the nonwoven landscape. Let's unravel the story together! ✨ 📖 Growing Popularity: A Surging Trend The allure of nonwovens expands beyond traditional uses, making waves in apparel, building materials, filtration, hygiene, and medical equipment. Technological strides have propelled nonwovens into the forefront of clothing applications, especially in sportswear and outdoor performance apparel. 🌐 Pandemic's Impact: A Catalyst for Demand The pandemic reshaped the nonwoven landscape, driving demand for sterilized consumer goods and disposable materials. Wipes and medical protective equipment surged, leading to a pivotal role for nonwovens. However, the spike in demand unveiled sustainability concerns, particularly in waste and pollution associated with disposable nonwovens. 🌱 Sustainability Concerns: Navigating the Challenges The disposable nature of nonwovens raised environmental alarms, prompting a shift towards biodegradable alternatives. The blog delves into the challenges faced by biodegradable nonwovens in an industry dominated by synthetic petrochemical fibers. 🌿 Renewable Nonwovens: Unveiling Plant-Based Prospects The prospect of renewable nonwovens gains momentum, driven by policy initiatives. However, the blog questions whether plant-based fibers guarantee a greener outcome, raising concerns about their non-readily biodegradable nature. 🌱 Read Zhink's Full Blog for a Deeper Dive into Nonwoven Sustainability! https://lnkd.in/eN8RFC-j 🌐 #Zhink #NonwovenIndustry #SustainabilityChallenges #GreenAlternatives #FutureOfTextiles

Finding more sustainable alternatives can be a challenge both for textile industry and for customers. How do consumers know what is the right decision? SUSTAFIT research project aims to find guidelines for more sustainable, fit-for-purpose options and supporting businesses in developing environment-friendly nonwovens.   VTT´s Research Scientist Noora Raipale shares her tips in “Did you know” article. The news series dives into topics regarding nonwovens and sustainability. Consumers can make more conscious choices and contribute to sustainability efforts in many ways: 💡 check third-party certifications and labels indicating that the product meets specific environmental criteria; 💡 aim to find products that can be re-used or last for a long time; 💡 look for renewable materials free of harsh chemicals; and 💡 look for biodegradable and recyclable products – packaging should have clear introductions on to how to recycle the product. Read the article and stay tuned for upcoming topics at SUSTAFIT website: https://lnkd.in/dPrfDFdh   The project is funded by Business Finland, the research partners Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK), VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Aalto University, and the participating companies.   #SUSTAFIT #sustainability #nonwovens