The future of fashion: are bioengineered materials the next big trend? Rain Speake discusses biomaterials start-ups that are utilising synthetic biology to develop sustainable materials for the fashion industry.
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and do not reintegrate into the earth he textile industry is the one of the once disposed of. Similarly, naturallylargest polluting industries in the occurring fibres can also negatively imworld. Fabric fibres derived from unsustainable raw materials “Through genetic engineering, are one of the major culscientists can alter the genetic prits in fashion’s evermakeup of these microorganisms growing pollution probto produce biodegradable yet lem. For instance, hard-wearing fibers which are plastic-based synthetic subsequently made into fibres such as polyester, garments." nylon, and acrylic are all extracted from non-renewpact the environment. Protein-based able fossil fuels like petroleum. Their fibres such as wool and leather contribreliance upon the petrochemical inute to the rising methane output, dustry is particwhilst plant-based fibres such as cotton ularly require toxic pesticides which seep into unfavourable, as the soil and contaminate water sources. this sector is notoriIn the last decade, synthetic biology ous for catastrophic has been utilised to design and develop oil spills and its role more eco-friendly material alternatin biodiversity loss. In addition, synthetic ives. Synthetic biology is described as the construction of completely new biological systems and parts or the process of redesigning existing organisms for useful purposes. But this branch of science is not new. Humans have been harnessing its effects for centuries—just think of cheese, bread, beer, and even insulin. In the textiles industry, microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and yeasts act as mini “laboratories” or “factories” for fibres add to the biomaterials to grow. Through genetic global plastic panengineering, scientists can alter the gedemic as they are netic makeup of these microorganisms non-biodegradable
8 | SATNAV | January 2021
