Sustainable fabric rankings in the world
With increasing global environmental awareness, the sustainable development concept, led by the European Union, has spread worldwide. Due to limited global resources, as early as 20 years ago, we, as manufacturers in the fabric industry, realized the necessity of integrating environmental protection into fabric development and production. Based on industry experience and big data, I have compiled a general ranking of current applications of sustainable fabrics.
1st. Organic Cotton & Cotton
Cotton, as the world’s most widely used environmentally friendly fiber material, is used in almost every aspect of life. It can be seen in home textiles and clothing. Cotton also drives global agriculture, circular systems, green recycling, and soil stabilization, which is very beneficial to the concept of sustainable development. Furthermore, cotton is a relatively strong, soft, and comfortable material, very friendly to human skin and the wearing experience.
Organic cotton is an upgraded version of cotton, simply put, it is even more environmentally friendly. This is because no pesticides, catalysts, GMOs, or other chemicals are added during the cultivation of organic cotton, directly reducing the use of chemical products and protecting the environment. Countries that are rich in organic cotton are typically India, Turkey, and Xinjiang, China. However, because there is no use of pesticides, crops are susceptible to pests, significantly reducing yields and increasing maintenance costs. This means that organic cotton is more expensive than regular cotton. Generally, to prove that fabric is made from organic cotton, GOTS or OCS certification is required. Other articles will discuss the usage scenarios of various certificates.
2nd. Recycled Polyester (RPET)
Recycled polyester is made from recycled plastic bottles (such as Coca-Cola bottles) or waste textiles, achieving resource recycling and reducing petroleum consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. It is a core material for fast fashion brands like ZARA and H&M to fulfill their environmental commitments. Recycled polyester embodies the concept of recycling, reducing the direct use of chemical raw materials. The quality and characteristics of recycled polyester are essentially the same as regular polyester. The certificate proving that fabric is made from recycled polyester is the GRS certificate.
3Rd. Bio-based Synthetic Fibers (such as Polylactic Acid PLA, Algae Fiber)
Bio-based synthetic fibers are made from renewable biomass such as corn and straw. They are biodegradable and an ideal alternative to petroleum-based fibers. Driven by policies such as EU carbon tariffs, the demand for export certification has surged. Creora spandex, from the South Korean brand Hyosung, is a spandex fiber made from corn and is biodegradable.
4th. Tencel, Bamboo Fiber, Lyocell, Linen
These fibers are all derived from natural plants or regenerated cellulose fibers. Most possess multiple functionalities, such as antibacterial, odor-resistant, UV protection, moisture-wicking, and excellent breathability. These natural functionalities give these fabrics a high premium and make them very popular with consumers. Although they are not yet as widely used as cotton and polyester, I believe they will become mainstream products in the future.
Devin Cao specializes in the design, research and development, and production of sustainable fabrics. We own our own knitting factory and collaborate with dyeing factories, offering a stock of sustainable fabrics such as bamboo, lyocell, and tencel. We also support customization of the aforementioned sustainable fabrics, including bamboo, organic cotton, tencel, lyocell, recycled polyester, recycled nylon, and bio-based fabrics. OEM, ODM, and MOQ are all supported, allowing for flexibility based on your requirements. Our fabrics are SGS certified and can be customized to meet specific needs, including colorfastness, shrinkage, pilling resistance, and bursting fastness.
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