Roots of Nature: Materials for the Future
ISPO 2024- 11. November 2024by Cira Riedel
In the face of a global plastic and climate crisis, bio-based materials offer a lifeline back to more sustainable, earth-friendly solutions that align with nature’s cycles.
Bio-based materials and natural fibers are critical to the future of sustainable fashion and industry, as they offer a solution to reduce environmental impact and align with global climate goals. The fashion industry, responsible for a significant portion of global emissions, must reduce its greenhouse gas output by 45 % by 2030. With raw materials accounting for up to two-thirds of a brand’s climate impact, transitioning to more sustainable options like natural fibers from regenerative farming practices or bio-based solutions is vital for regulatory compliance and long-term profitability.
Natural fibers such as cotton, wool, hemp, and flax have long supported human needs but were largely overshadowed by synthetic fibers like polyester and elastane during the last century. However, today’s advancements in textile technology and sustainability concerns are driving renewed interest in these bio-based materials and natural fibers, which not only meet performance standards but also support ecological health when managed responsibly. By embracing these fibers, brands can reduce emissions, secure a future supply of materials, and stay competitive amid intensifying environmental regulations.
A sustainable approach, however, requires that natural materials be cultivated and processed with attention to biodiversity, soil health, and full biodegradability. When managed properly, these fibers can reintegrate into the environment, enriching the soil rather than degrading it. The shift to “preferred fibers” including bio-based materials is crucial not only for meeting upcoming regulations but also for ensuring the industry’s long-term viability in a world that increasingly demands ecological responsibility. (2,3)
At ISPO Munich 2024’s Sustainability Hub, a variety of forward-thinking solutions will be presented. From wool sourced from regenerative farms to plant-based alternatives ready to replace fossil-based materials, these innovations demonstrate the exciting potential of natural fibers and bio-based materials to shape a sustainable future – where performance and nature work hand in hand.
Natural fibres have the potential to be both high-performing and circular; the sustainability case holds only with robust safeguards on land, water, and animal welfare.
NZ Merino – ZQ Ethical Wool
Südwolle Group and ZQRX – natural performance redefined
ALLIED Feather + Down / designing to disappear
Evoco – plant-based chemistry
Gecko Components: a bio-based materials accelerator
Biotexfuture – from petrolium based to bio-based
