TEXTILE. Website to Demystify Bio-Synthetics.

Textile Exchange just launched a new website dedicated to Biosynthetics. The site, called aboutbiosynthetics.org, is backed by an industry-wide Working Group and aims to demystify the subject and provide soundly based information and market intelligence for businesses and interested consumers alike.

“Biosynthetics are on the rise yet still emerging within the textile industry. We are all looking for opportunities to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions. Fibers made from polymers based on plants and other biological inputs offer huge potential.” Liesl Truscott, Director of Materials Strategy, Textile Exchange.

The new microsite is a tool for communicating the huge potential of biosynthetics and their link to the Bio-Economy, while also presenting the challenges and realities in terms of the sector’s stage of development and current scale.

“The microsite is a great way to provide much-needed information on the benefits of biosynthetic materials to the textile industry. We at Virent are in the final stages of commercializing a technology to use plant-based feedstocks to produce paraxylene, a key raw material for bio-polyester fiber. We were pleased that Textile Exchange took on the challenge of developing the microsite and are happy to support its continued development.”. Stacey Orlandi, CEO of Virent.

In 2016, Textile Exchange set up the Biosynthetics Working Group. The Working Group is comprised of Textile Exchange members and experts (see list below) with interest in the future of bio-based materials as a solution to transitioning out of nonrenewables and textiles based on petroleum towards more sustainable alternatives. The multi-stakeholder group, led in its incubator phase by Sophie Mather of biov8tion, has focused on exploring the opportunities, challenges, barriers to growth, sustainability benefits and, importantly, how to get biosynthetic from R&D and proof-of-concept to market readiness and a commercially viable alternative to virgin materials. The Working Group meets in-person each year at the Preferred Fiber & Materials Round Tables day, held in Washington DC at Textile Exchange’s 2017 Textile Sustainability Conference, as well as having virtual meetings throughout the year. 2018’s in-person meeting will be held Milan, the home of fashion but also of much innovation in new fibers and technologies.

“As pressure on resources grows, the need to innovate and commercialize a varied portfolio of renewable bio-based synthetics is more important than ever. The entry-level communication included in the microsite will enable Textile Exchange to level set understanding across brands, retailers, and supply chain partners to help expedite a collective understanding and move the agenda forward.“. Sophie Mather, biov8tion

To set up the Biosynthetics website, Textile Exchange received input from influencer companies such as Adidas, Anellotech, ASOS, biov8tion, Clarks, Columbia, DuPont, European Outdoor Group, Far Eastern New Century, Fulgar, GAP Inc., H&M, Inditex, Kathmandu, Kering Group, Natureworks, Nike Inc., Norrona, Novozymes, Patagonia, REvolve Waste LLC, Toray, University of Hohenheim, Vaude, VF Corporation, Virent.

source: Textile Exchange