The Material Innovation Initiative is fast-tracking innovation in next-gen materials. This includes improving the sustainability of existing fiber, such as synthetics and cellulose, and seeding new innovations in plant-based and lab-grown materials.

Currently the total greenhouse gas emissions from textile production amounts to 1.2 billion tons annually. This is more than the emissions of all international flights and maritime shipping combined. According to other estimates the global apparel and footwear industry accounts for 8% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.

I decided to research on how to shrink the environmental footprint of existing fibers such as synthetic and cellulose and to seed plant based and lab grown innovations, in what forms they exist in the industry, how to increase their life and how can the energy consumption be minimized and how alternate sustainable fibers can be used in a way to do so.

Fibers can be created from many natural sources (animal hair or fur, insect cocoons as with silk worm cocoons), as well as semisynthetic methods that use naturally occurring polymers, and synthetic methods that use polymer-based materials, and even minerals such as metals to make foils and wires.

There are three types pf fibers that can be found:
1. Animal based
2. Plant based
3. Synthetic based

Natural versus synthetic fibers
Natural fibers are produced by animals (wool) and plants (cotton) as fibrous materials that can be spun into yarn. Characteristics of natural fibers are that they:
.Serve a purpose in nature;
.Are produced by a living organism; and
.Grow spontaneously, without need for human intervention.

Synthetic fibers are derived from fossil-fueled/petroleum-based oils.


So we looked into some innovative sustainable fibers such as:


Pinatex
One of the most famous fruit based vegan leather available in the market.

Orange fiber
Which aims to rescue some of 7000000 tons of orange peel that are discarded to create juice in Italy every year and transform it into a soft and silky fabric, ideal for clothes.

We weren't satisfied with the attributes of the fibers we looked upon so
We looked at the existence of wool in the industry and
We found:

Wool only accounts for some 2% of global fiber consumption
Of the global production of some 130kg of wool,
approximately 56% is used in apparel,
42% in household (interior) textiles and,
2% in industrial applications.

The Female Wardrobe
Types of fabrics women own

Wool’s presence in the female wardrobe has increased from 8% in 2012 to 12% in 2019.
In the female wardrobe, 1 in every 10 items is made with wool.
5% of these wool garments were purchased more than 10 years ago, double that of cotton and polyester.
Interestingly, 21% of females wear wool blends several times per week, on par with the ever-popular denim.

The Male Wardrobe
Types of fabrics men own

The share of wool clothing has increased in the male wardrobe since 2012 by 3%.
9% of wool garments were purchased more than 10 years ago, compared to just 3% of cotton and polyester clothing.
Even though wool has only a 1.3% share of global fibre supply, 27% of males wear wool blend garments several times a week, compared to cotton and polyester.
And as we further researched we found the perfect wool fiber that is and can be used innovatively in the industry.

100% natural, renewable and biodegradable, Australian Merino wool is famous worldwide for its next-to-skin softness, strength, innate versatility and technical benefits.
Merino wool is a natural fiber grown year-round by Merino sheep on farms across Australia.

Benefits of Merino wool
Properties of wool

100% natural
Wool is 100% natural grown year-round by Australia’s 68 million sheep, consuming a simple blend of water, air, sunshine and grass.

100% biodegradable
Decompose slowly releasing valuable nutrients back into the earth.
Merino fabrics lost around 36% of their mass after only two months burial in soil and up to 99% after nine months.

100% renewable
Every year Australian sheep produce a new fleece, making wool a completely renewable fiber.

Wrinkle resistant
At microscopic level, each Merino wool fiber is like a coiled spring that returns to its natural shape after being bent. This gives Merino wool garments a natural resistance to wrinkles.

Innovative
Fashion designers and activewear brands can choose from a range of innovative treatments and manufacturing techniques to create unique textures and finishes on Merino wool garments.

Naturally breathable
The inner core of the fibers is capable of absorbing up to 60% of its weight in moisture.

Both Warm and cool
In contrast to synthetics, Merino wool is an active fiber that reacts to changes in body temperature. So it helps you stay warm when the weather is cold, and cool when the weather is hot.

Odor resistant
Merino wool even absorbs the odor molecules from sweat, which are only released upon washing.

Soft on skin
Merino wool fibers are extremely fine, enabling them to bend far more than traditional, coarser wool fibers. This makes Merino wool feel soft and luxuriously gentle next to your skin.

Naturally elastic
Natural elasticity helps Merino wool garments stretch with you, yet return to their original shape. So Merino wool clothing is ideal to wear when exercising.

Easy to care for
Most Merino wool garments can be machine-washed and tumble dried, providing a simple solution to the common question of ‘How to wash wool?’

Stain resistant
Merino wool fibers have a natural protective outer layer that helps prevent stains from being absorbed. And because Merino wool tends not to generate static, it attracts less dust and lint.

Fire resistant
Wool’s inherent chemical structure makes wool naturally flame resistant. It is a highly trusted natural fiber in public areas such as hotels, aircraft, hospitals and theatres. wool never melts so it can’t stick to the skin like many common synthetics.

Wool is the most reused and recycled fiber
Even though wool represents only 1.2% of the virgin fiber supply, surveys have shown it represents about 5% of clothing donated to charity. Wool is also one of the most sought after recycled textiles for converting into new long-lasting products, such as garments, mattresses and upholstery.



UV resistant
Merino wool clothing provides good protection from the sun, compared with the protection from other fibers. As a natural fiber, evolved over millions of years to protect sheep against the elements, Merino wool absorbs UV radiation providing protection from the sun. This makes it a good choice for a wide range of outdoor activities.

How is Merino wool made?
Australian woolgrowers produce the world’s finest wool from Merino sheep using sustainable farming practices. Unlike synthetics which are industrially produced from non-renewable fossil energy, Merino wool is a natural fiber grown year-round by Merino sheep, consuming a simple blend of natural ingredients including sunshine, water, fresh air and grass. Every year these sheep produce new fleece, making wool a completely renewable fiber.
Arguably the oldest-known animal fiber, wool is composed of a natural protein called keratin - the same protein found in human hair.

Suket Dhir
Constantly experimenting with fashion, Dhir’s most recent collection, named “cool wool”, is proof. This is a wool fabric that can be worn in summer and won’t have you sweating.

Rahul Mishra
His collection is notable for the hand-embroidery, geometric patterns and use of ivory, gold, black and yellow.
Mishra’s inspiration includes the conventional style hand-stitched blossoms paired with contemporary pencil skirts. Since his motive is to showcase the rich Indian culture, his silhouettes are sophisticated yet sensual.
His special collection also included long coats done with Bandhini, a 1000-year-old tie and dye technique.

Ruchika Sachdeva
Her brand draws inspiration from menswear and creates androgynous garments. It makes the perfect cut for working women and those in the corporate sector.
The designer uses traditional techniques to create silhouettes for her brand that would honour Indian artisans and keep traditional techniques alive.
She also made creative use of bio dye which makes all colors from natural sources. This dye is so mild that it is also skin safe. Not only is the dye made with environment-friendly natural sources, but even the buttons on the silhouettes come from natural sources such as seashells and wood.