What’s up in the Fabrics world?

by Maria Cristina Pavarini — October 21, 2020

High-performance denims are Bossa’s new must

Bossa’s s/s 2022 collection is focusing on a series of new materials added with high technology content. Ever Fit Denim, for instance, offers flexibility, maximum comfort and great recovery performance thanks to an innovative technology that allows for extra wear between washes, recovering the fit after wearing.Also new are Forever Fresh denims. These denims stay cleaner and fresher longer, require fewer washes and generate longer product life while they reduce their environmental impact

The North Face Moon Parka using Spiber fibers

Spiber-ADM: Fermentation is the future

Spiber Inc., a Japanese biotechnology start-up, and ADM (Archer Daniels Midland), US$65 billion global leader in human and animal nutrition, have signed a new partnership to expand the production of Spiber’s environmentally-conscious Brewed Protein polymers obtained through microbial fermentation and utilizing agricultural feedstocks. Thanks to this agreement such polymers will be produced on a wider scale to be employed for consumer products such as apparel, auto parts and more. Spiber Inc. is known for a recent collaboration with The North Face to create the Moon Parka, the first mass-manufactured jacket made from lab-grown spider silk, a sustainable industrial not relying on animals or polluting petrochemicals.

Replay’s Hyperflex Re-Used

How Replay hypes eco

Thanks to its partnership with global denim manufacturer Isko, Replay continues its path toward sustainability by offering Hyperflex Re-Used, a new jeans line aimed to respect eco-friendly standards at international levels.

Hyperflex Re-Used jeans uses eco-friendly raw materials obtained by a mix of reused and recycled matter. The denim it uses is made with a blend of recycled cotton and recycled polyester. The regenerated cotton is obtained from a 10% of virgin cotton fibers that could go lost during the spinning process, and, instead, have become CCS-certified regenerated cotton fibers. Polyester fibers are obtained from recycled PET bottles and other certified leftover sources. The average retail price for a pair of these jeans is €150.

Everlane Clean Silk using Bombyx organic silk

Organic silk, the next bomb

Bombyx, a Hong Kong–based silk manufacturer, has developed an organic silk made without toxic dyes and produced by using less energy. It recently achieved Ceres Organic Silk Certification for its mulberry trees and silkworm farms making it become the first  Chinese silk company to use regenerative principles.

Bombyx farms are located in China’s Sichuan province and utilize terrace farming practices, intercropping and rotational cropping to enhance soil fertility, and introduced chickens and geese for bio-organic pest control, which helps promote biodiversity, increasing the farm’s output naturally.

The company’s operations aim to progress further and reach 100% recycled water and renewable energy for its silk dyeing and washing processes, and by 2024 it aims to be carbon neutral.

In addition to its regenerative farms, Bombyx operations function vertically in nearby Nanchong, where garment production takes place. This LEED certified facility produces solar energy through its own solar panel system. It also utilizes Jeanologia washing machines which use 95% less water than regular ones.

In addition to Ceres, Bombyx has also achieved Bluesign, Ifoam, LEED and Think Green Initiative certifications and many others in development throughout the global pandemic. Brands using Bombyx silk include Club Monaco, Everlane, Madewell and J Crew.

Ecco Biom sneaker

Ecco’s newly awarded technology

Danish footwear brand Ecco has recently won two recognitions at the German Design Awards 2021 as Excellent Product Design awards in the Sports, Outdoor Activities and Leisure category, for its Ecco Biom 2.0 sneaker and Ecco Exowrap sandal.

Both models are engineered with Phorene, a new exceptionally light and soft material that delivers long-lasting cushioning and rebound, a key component for Ecco Fluidform Direct Comfort Technology. The Ecco Biom 2.0 model also uses the Biom Natural Motion Technology inspired by barefoot runners and originally developed by Ecco for athletes. This technology guides feet to move more naturally and efficiently and offers an almost barefoot feel. 

Original article Sportswear International