Three innovative and sustainable materials for a more conscious design
In September, fashion fairs and events become a showcase for the latest trends, but also a possibility to highlight a commitment to more responsible practices.
Weeks such as the Fashion Week, together with trade fairs such as Lineapelle, are key moments to show commitment towards alternative materials that are more ethical and environmentally friendly. On one hand, this helps to reduce environmental impact, and on the other, generates new inspiration to look forward to.
From the Materials Library, the MCX database, the advisory and research team at Materially, specialised in advising companies on innovative and sustainable materials, has selected three proposals for more conscious design.
This material is entirely natural, obtained from plants such as flax, nettle and hemp grown in Europe, offering a biodegradable alternative to fur, shearling and plush.
Supported with a viscose backing, the material is obtained from agricultural by-products through the use of plant-derived enzymes. The eco-fur is produced using patented technology that eliminates the use of adhesives, integrating Oeko-Tex or FSC-certified fibres directly into the support.
The result is an eco-fur extremely resistant to abrasion and pilling, meant for the luxury sector but also suitable for the toy industry, thanks to the possibility of customisation in terms of colour, texture, curliness and pile length.
Thanks to the waste recovery, the material embodies the principles of the circular economy.
An alternative to leather for the fashion and design sector is a flexible wood fabric, processed into soft, foldable three-dimensional surfaces, designed to offer new possibilities in the design and fashion sector.
Depending on the application, 50-75% of the material consists of wood veneer applied to a support, usually made with cotton. The geometric surface is then obtained using a low environmental impact laser cutting process that limits waste thanks to the use of a semi-automated production method.
The result is a material that is lightweight and soft, yet strong and flexible (it can support a weight of up to 98 kg/m²), capable of ensuring high structural performance. Its customisable nature – with variable thicknesses and geometric grids – makes it ideal for bags, footwear, small accessories and fashion coverings, as well as for interior and automotive applications, thanks to the sound-absorbing properties of wood.
On request, hydrophobic and anti-wear treatments can be added, extending its durability and versatility.
These buttons and small fashion accessories are made from cellulose acetate pellets obtained from post-industrial cigarette filters. The process starts with the separation of the filters from the cigarettes using high-speed automated machinery. The fibres are then separated from the paper wrappers and mixed with triacetin, pigments and titanium dioxide, before finally being sent through a solar-powered extruder to create the pellets.
The use of renewable energy and the reuse of waste materials, reduces pressure on deforestation, creating a material that maintains the same aesthetic and performance qualities as virgin acetate. Applications range from buttons to eyeglass frames and fashion accessories.
Materially supports companies in the selection and application of innovative and sustainable materials, offering personalised consulting and research for fashion, design and manufacturing.
Contact Materially to learn more about the Materials Insights subscription from Material ConneXion: thousands of contents and trend reports on innovative materials, plus access to the Materials Library, featuring a database of 10,000 cutting-edge materials you can explore for your innovation projects.
For more information, please write to info@materially.eu.
