The approach of exhibitors and visitors to the topic was very different and there was a lot of discussion. I think it is important to take a very close look at this complex field and found out the following:
- 100% sustainable functional materials from fibre to production process to degradability seems not so easy to achieve; e.g. recycled polyamide does not mean that this fabric is biodegradable
- Recycling is not a problem: there is a large range of materials consisting of recycled components consisting of plastic waste or fibre residues for example, whereby it is certainly always interesting how resource-saving the production and compostability of the material is
- perhaps the more honest way: to reduce harmful environmental impacts during the production process by using conventional fibres
- or to use a natural fibre such as merino wool, which naturally provides a lot of performance and sustainability.
In any case, many people want to do it right, and it is up to each individual to decide for himself what degree of sustainability is important for him. Anyway, the presented qualities do not lose any of their functionality or attractiveness. I discovered the following 5 trends:
5 TRENDS FOR FUNCTIONAL SUSTAINABLE FABRICS A/W 21/22
1. GRAIN BY GRAIN
Cotton with water based coating technology b.Cork by TINTEX, which is a finishing process based on textile chemicals with lowest possible environmental impact.
The urban midlayer interlock is made from eco heather. This a CCS certified process of reusing all wasting fibres from the spinning factory, which are mainly cotton, but also modal, lyocell, viscose, wool, cashmere, linen, silk and others.