TEXTILES ─ Future Fibers
FIBERS Innovative fibers are set to improve textile sustainability. By Cary Sherburne
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t is estimated that some 60% of apparel is made of petroleum-based polyester or polyester blends. As the world moves to diminish its reliance on petroleum, polyester fabrics are an attractive target. Although waste fabric and used clothing can be recycled to create fibers that can be again put to use in a circular economy model, it does not appear that this is being done on any kind of massive scale. Collection can be difficult, and detection of the exact composition of the fabric can be equally problematic.
We encourage continued development of recycling processes for polyester and polyester blends, since they are not going away anytime soon, and they are taking up a lot of landfill space. In parallel, however, there are several initiatives underway to develop more sustainable fibers that are made from natural materials. At the same time, digital textile printing continues to evolve – especially pigment inks – that will allow quality printing on fabrics made from these new fibers, suitable for a variety of uses, including apparel.
HeiQ AeoniQ spun filament (Image sourced from HeiQ)
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WhatTheyThink - Wide-Format&Signage | April 2022
3/23/22 3:22 PM
