Material Directory

Our growing material directory

Abaca Fabric

Alternative for:

flax (linen), hemp, burlap

Type:

Plant Fibres & Materials

Abaca is a natural fibre that originated in the Philippines from a Musa textilis plant. It is a hard fibre, where mature plants are processed and turned into fibre similar to flax and hemp. Abaca fabric is highly durable, versatile, and breathable. There are many different types and qualities of abaca fabrics. Textile producers often blend abaca fibre with other materials, natural or synthetic, to make various abaca fabrics.

Acrylic

Alternative for:

Type:

Synthetic Fibres

Acrylic fibre fabrics are made from a synthetic polymer called acrylonitrile. This type of fibre is produced by reacting certain petroleum or coal-based chemicals with a variety of monomers, which means that acrylic fabric is a fossil fuel-based fibre.

Agraloop™ BioFibre™

Alternative for:

synthetic fabrics

Type:

Plant Fibres & Materials

The Agraloop™ refines natural fibres derived from agricultural crops into textile-grade fibre called Agraloop™ BioFibre™. The fibre is free from harmful chemicals.

AirMycelium™

Alternative for:

leather

Type:

Plant Fibres & Materials

AirMycelium™ is made from mushroom mycelium, known for its durability and strength. It’s a lightweight, water-resistant material that requires minimal resources, making it an alternative to traditional leather and other materials that have a higher environmental impact.

Apple Leather

Alternative for:

leather, snakeskin

Type:

Plant Fibres & Materials

Apple leather, also known as AppleSkin, is a bio-based material made using the leftover pomace and peel from the fruit juice and compote industry. Apple skin can produce a quality handbag or other products with the look and feel of snakeskin, without harming animals. 

Alternative for:

silk

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

B-silk™ is a fabric made from spider silk proteins produced by genetically modified yeast. It’s strong, durable, and versatile, suitable for clothing, cosmetics, and medical devices. B-silk™ has a lower environmental impact, uses less water and energy.

Bamboo Fibre

Alternative for:

cotton, silk

Type:

Plant Fibres & Materials

Hypoallergenic, absorbent and fast-growing. Processing bamboo fibre uses less pesticides and fertilizers.

Banana Fibre

Alternative for:

rope, silk, cotton

Type:

Plant Fibres & Materials

Banana fibre has a natural sheen, and the inner strands of the stalk are very fine. The fabric made by banana fibre is claimed to be nearly carbon neutral and its soft texture has been likened to hemp and bamboo.

Bananatex®

Alternative for:

nylon, polyester, synthetic fabrics

Type:

Plant Fibres & Materials

Bananatex® is a durable, technical fabric made purely from the naturally grown Abacá banana plants. Cultivated in the Philippine highlands within a natural ecosystem of mixed agriculture and forestry, the plant is self-sufficient, requires no pesticides, fertilizer or extra water. Bananatex® is known for its strength, water resistance, and breathability, making it an ideal material for a range of products, including bags, shoes, and clothing.

Bio-Tex™

Alternative for:

leather

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

BioFabbrica has introduced Bio-Tex™, their first biofabricated coated textile, which utilizes their proprietary Bio-Alloy™ technology to create unique materials. The Bio-Tex™ product is a coated textile that offers excellent color vibrancy and performance, while also significantly reducing GHG emissions by over 90% compared to traditional, chrome-tanned leather based on an LCA.

BioSteel

Alternative for:

nylon, polyester

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

AMSilk’s Biosteel® fibre for textiles is a strong and versatile material made from silk biopolymers. It can be used in various textile applications and is a promising alternative to traditional materials. Biosteel® fibre is lightweight, flexible, and breathable.

Cashmere

Alternative for:

Type:

Animal Fibres & Materials

Cashmere is a natural fibre that can come from a number of different goat breeds. Cashmere production is extremely dependent on environmental factors and fibre quality is impacted by things like temperatures and a goat’s diet. There are different types of cashmere, and considerations for using cashmere include animal welfare, environmental impact and fabric composition (blended fibres, dyes… etc)

Circulose®

Alternative for:

cotton, rayon

Type:

Man-made Cellulosic Fibres

Circulose® is a branded dissolving pulp made by Renewcell from textile waste, such as worn-out cotton jeans and cotton production scraps. It is used to make man-made cellulosic fibres, like viscose, lyocell, and modal, which are spun into yarns, woven or knitted into fabrics, and sewn into new textile products.

Cork

Alternative for:

leather

Type:

Plant Fibres & Materials

Cork fabric is a material made from the bark of the cork oak tree. It’s a vegan alternative to traditional leather, and is lightweight, durable, water-resistant, and has a unique texture.

Desserto®

Alternative for:

leather

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

Desserto® is a plant based material used as an alternative to leather made from cactus, often distinguished by its great softness at touch. Desserto® has been used for fashion, automotive, aeronautics, footwear, and furniture.

Down Feathers

Alternative for:

Type:

Animal Fibres & Materials

Down is the soft layer of feathers closest to birds’ skin, primarily in the chest region. These feathers are used by manufacturers of down clothing and comforters because they do not have quills.

ECO CIRCLE™ Plantfibre

Alternative for:

viscose, modal, lyocell, cotton

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

ECO CIRCLE™ Plantfibre is a plant-based fibre produced by Teijin Frontier, a Japanese textile company. It is made from corn and other plant-based materials using Teijin Frontier’s unique bio-refinery technology.** 

Eco Wool

Alternative for:

Wool

Type:

Animal Fibres & Materials

Wool that is from sheep that have not been exposed to chemicals like pesticides and are kept in humane and ethical farming conditions.

EcoCosy® Viscose

Alternative for:

rayon

Type:

Man-made Cellulosic Fibres

EcoCosy® is Sateri’s premier brand for its luxurious viscose rayon fibres. EcoCosy® boasts a soft and comfortable texture that is both breathable and absorbent.

ECONYL®

Alternative for:

nylon

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

ECONYL® is a recycled nylon fibre made from pre and post-consumer waste such as fishing nets, carpets, and fabric scraps. The waste is regenerated and processed to create a new nylon yarn that can be used in a variety of applications, including fashion, sportswear, and automotive industries.

Flax Fibre (Linen)

Alternative for:

synthetic fabrics

Type:

Plant Fibres & Materials

Linen is the popular name of the textile that is derived from Flax. This natural fibre comes from a plant (from the stem) so it is composed mainly of cellulose. It has excellent strength and absorbs moisture quickly making it a good fibre for hot weather. However, it is prone to wrinkling.

FLOCUS™

Alternative for:

synthetic fabrics

Type:

Man-made Cellulosic Fibres

FLOCUS™ nonwovens are made from natural Kapok fibres, which offer unique characteristics such as hydrophobic, moisture management, anti-moth, anti-mite, and antibacterial properties. It is also lightweight, performs well in thermoregulation, and has excellent acoustic and sound absorption. FLOCUS™ fibre may be spun into yarn, to add value to any blend. Kapok can be blended with organic cotton, Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) cotton, recycled polyesters, and other materials

FLWRDWN™

Alternative for:

down material

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

FLWRDWN™ is a down-fill material made using a combination of wildflowers, a biopolymer and aerogel. This warm, breathable innovation is the first of its kind, used in our outerwear jackets, vests and accessories.

Fruitleather

Alternative for:

leather

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

Fruitleather is a plant-based material made from fruit waste and a binding agent, such as vegetable glycerin. It is a durable and flexible alternative to traditional leather.

FRUTFIBER™

Alternative for:

cotton

Type:

Plant Fibres & Materials

FRUTFIBER™, developed by PANGAIA, is a blend of responsibly sourced bamboo lyocell combined with pineapple leaf and banana leaf fibres—two natural materials that are usually considered agricultural waste.

Giotex

Alternative for:

synthetic fabrics

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

Giotex offers a range of high-performance fibre products, including yarns, fabrics, and composites, made with advanced materials like carbon, aramid, and thermoplastics. The fibres they use are recycled wool, viscose, hemp, modal, recycled cotton pre-consumer, and recycled polyester (PET) post-consumer.

Hemp

Alternative for:

synthetic fabrics

Type:

Plant Fibres & Materials

An ecological crop that is easy to cultivate and fast-growing. It can be used for clothing, nutritious food and building materials.

Infinna™

Alternative for:

cotton

Type:

Man-made Cellulosic Fibres

Infinna™ is a cellulose-based textile fibre developed by the global specialty materials company Eastman. It is made using a proprietary and fully traceable process called carbon renewal technology (CRT), which uses plastic waste as the feedstock. 

ISKO™ R-TWO™

Alternative for:

Demin

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

ISKO™ R-TWO™ is a denim fabric collection by ISKO™ made with a combination of reused and recycled materials, including certified reused cotton and recycled polyester derived from PET bottles. The collection aims to reduce the environmental impact of denim production and promote circular economy practices.

Jute

Alternative for:

burlap, wool, silk, cotton

Type:

Plant Fibres & Materials

Jute is a natural fibre with golden and silky shine and hence called the Golden Fibre. The fabric is also strong, durable and resistant to tearing, stretching and abrasion.

Leather

Alternative for:

Type:

Animal Fibres & Materials

a material made from the skin of an animal by tanning or a similar process.

LENZING ECOVERO Viscose

Alternative for:

rayon, cotton, polyester

Type:

Man-made Cellulosic Fibres

LENZING™ ECOVERO™ branded viscose fibres is a viscose fibre made by the Austrian company Lenzing AG. It is produced using wood and pulp, and is certified as a lower-impact textile fibre by independent third-party organizations. It is known for its softness, breathability, and versatility, and is commonly used in a wide range of textile products. The production process of this fibre also has a lower environmental impact compared to other types of viscose, with reduced emissions and water usage.

Alternative for:

polyester, nylon

Type:

Man-made Cellulosic Fibres

Livaeco by Birla Cellulose is a nature-based fibre. The fibre is sourced from FSC® (FSC® C118017) certified sustainable forests and the journey of every Livaeco tagged garment can be traced to its origin. 

LYCRA® EcoMade fibre

Alternative for:

spandex

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

LYCRA® EcoMade fibre is a type of spandex/elastane fibre made from pre-consumer waste. LYCRA® EcoMade fibre can be used in a variety of apparel applications where stretch and recovery are desired.

Lyocell

Alternative for:

cotton, rayon, polyester

Type:

Man-made Cellulosic Fibres

Lyocell is a soft, strong, and absorbent type of cellulose fibre made from wood pulp using a solvent spinning process. It’s commonly used in clothing, bedding, and other textile products.

Malai

Alternative for:

leather

Type:

Man-made Cellulosic Fibres

Malai fabric is an organic material produced by growing bacterial cellulose on agricultural waste obtained from the coconut industry in Southern India. This innovative fabric has a flexible and durable texture similar to leather or paper, and is water-resistant. As a completely natural and vegan product, Malai fabric is free from any artificial components that may cause allergies or health problems.

Alternative for:

leather

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

MIRUM® is a versatile, plant-based material for fashion, footwear, accessories, and upholstery. It can mimic leather or carbon fibre.

Modal

Alternative for:

cotton

Type:

Plant Fibres & Materials

Modal is a type of cellulose fibre made from beech trees that is known for its softness, strength, and high absorbency. It’s often used as a substitute for cotton.

Mushrooms

Alternative for:

leather

Type:

Plant Fibres & Materials

Mushrooms can be used to create mycelium leather. Mycelium is grown into a fibrous network that can be shaped and dried to create a leather-like material. Mushroom leather can be used to make clothing and accessories, with a unique texture and appearance.

Alternative for:

leather, suede

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

Muskin is a ‘mushroom-skin’ material, made from fungus spores grown in a woven pattern, extracted from the top of a mushroom. It’s processed naturally, without toxic chemicals, making it ideal for next-to-skin use, such as shoe insoles or watch straps. Muskin is hygienic, absorbing moisture and preventing bacteria growth. It has a soft suede or leather feel, is breathable and available in variable sizes.

MYCOTEX

Alternative for:

leather, suede

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

MYCOTEX is a fabric made from mycelium by NEFFA, a fashion and technology company. It’s known for its strength, durability. MYCOTEX can be grown in weeks, is versatile, and suitable for creating clothing, accessories, and home goods. It resembles leather or suede and can be dyed or printed.

Alternative for:

leather

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

Mylo™ is a leather alternative made from mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms. Mylo grows in under two weeks in a vertical farming facility powered by renewable electricity.

Alternative for:

wool

Type:

Animal Fibres & Materials

NATIVA™ is the new reference brand for wool fibres. The NATIVA™ wool comes from the lands in Argentina, Uruguay, New Zealand, Australia, United States and South Africa. NATIVA™ is the first global wool brand to provide Blockchain traceability from farm to consumer. This transparency in the supply chain, enabled by the NATIVA™ certification and powered by Blockchain, means brands can truly show the journey of their wool.

NuCycl

Alternative for:

cotton, polyester

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

Nucycl® is developed by Evrnu®, an advanced material innovation company. Textile waste is shredded, liquified, purified, and transformed into Nucycl® lyocell fibre, which looks and performs the same as, virgin fibre. 

Nylon

Alternative for:

Type:

Synthetic Fibres

a tough, lightweight, elastic synthetic polymer with a protein-like chemical structure, able to be produced as filaments, sheets, or molded objects.

Orange Fibre

Alternative for:

silk

Type:

Plant Fibres & Materials

Orange fibre is a textile made from citrus by-products like orange peels. It’s soft, silky, and similar to viscose or silk. The material can be used to make clothing and home decor items. Orange fibre has a natural sheen and is suitable for formal or casual wear.

Organic Cotton

Alternative for:

cotton

Type:

Plant Fibres & Materials

Cotton grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or defoliants. Right now, organic cotton represents less than 0.1 percent of all the cotton produced worldwide. Alternatively organic cotton never uses {GMO} and their seeds are untreated with the potentially harmful insecticides and fungicides. Soil and water tidbits: The conventional method of growing cotton puts down synthetic fertilizers where as organic cotton builds strong soil through well-monitored crop rotation.

Peace Silk®

Alternative for:

silk

Type:

Animal Fibres & Materials

Peace Silk® is a type of silk that is produced without harming or killing silkworms. The cocoons are collected after the moths have emerged and the silk fibres are spun into yarns using traditional techniques. It is considered a cruelty-free and ethical alternative to conventional silk production.

Piñatex®

Alternative for:

leather

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

Piñatex®, developed by Ananas Anam, is made of fibre from the waste leaves of the pineapple plant. It’s a cruelty-free alternative to traditional leather that has a similar texture and feel. The material promotes the use of waste from the pineapple industry and is used for shoes, bags, and accessories.

Pineapple fibre

Alternative for:

leather

Type:

Plant Fibres & Materials

Pineapple fibre, also known as piña cloth, is a natural textile material made from the leaves of the pineapple plant. It’s lightweight, breathable, and has a luxurious appearance.

PLA (Polylactic Acid)

Alternative for:

polyester

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

PLA (Polylactic Acid) is a polymer made from renewable resources and used in textiles as a substitute for synthetic fibres like polyester. It has similar properties to polyester.

Plant fibres

Alternative for:

Type:

Plant Fibres & Materials

Plant fibres are natural fibres obtained from various parts of plants, including the stem, leaves, and seeds, and are used to make a variety of products. Plant fibres include bast or stem fibres, leaf fibres, seed hair fibres (cotton), jute, hemp and bamboo.

PLNTFIBER™

Alternative for:

cotton

Type:

Man-made Cellulosic Fibres

PLNTFIBER™, developed by PANGAIA, is a textile that combines the fast-growing and underused Himalayan nettle fibre, bamboo lyocell, and eucalyptus lyocell, all sourced responsibly and renewably. The fabric is infused with seaweed, making use of four plants that require no pesticides, fertilizers, or irrigation.

Polyester

Alternative for:

Type:

Synthetic Fibres

Polyester is a synthetic fibre material, made in a lab from chemical compounds, polyester is a kind of plastic.

Q-NOVA®

Alternative for:

nylon

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

Q-NOVA® is a nylon fibre created by Fulgar, a leading manufacturer of synthetic fibres. It is made from regenerated raw materials using a mechanical, non-chemical process that involves the recycling of waste from the manufacturing of nylon. Q-NOVA® is OEKO-TEX and Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certified, and it is used in a range of textile applications, including sportswear, underwear, and hosiery.

Qmilk fibre

Alternative for:

wool, silk

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

QMILK fibres are natural, soft like silk, and have a natural antibacterial effect. They have thermo-bonding properties and can be combined with other natural fibres without plastics or resins. They also meet the requirements for innovative material developments.

QMONOS

Alternative for:

silk

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

QMONOS is a type of silk that is produced using genetically modified silkworms. The technology used to create QMONOS allows for the production of silk with specific properties such as increased strength and elasticity, as well as resistance to water and heat.

Ramie

Alternative for:

silk

Type:

Plant Fibres & Materials

Ramie (Boehmeria nivea) is a natural fibre that comes from the stem of the ramie plant, a member of the nettle family. It is one of the oldest fibre crops, and has been used for thousands of years in Asia for making textiles. Ramie fibres are known for their strength, durability, and ability to hold shape. The fibres are naturally lustrous, similar to silk, and have good absorbency, making them comfortable to wear in hot and humid climates.

Reishi

Alternative for:

leather

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

Reishi, is the first made-to-order, natural material that rivals the quality and performance of animal leathers while being more customizable. The fine mycelium sheets used to create Reishi are harvested at their peak and finished by Curtidos Badia, a family-owned tannery.

Repreve®

Alternative for:

polyester

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

REPREVE® is a recycled fibre brand made from plastic waste, used in products like clothing and bags. It’s produced by Unifi and helps reduce plastic waste and the need for virgin polyester.

Alternative for:

spandex

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

ROICA™ is a premium stretch fibre brand made by Asahi Kasei for use in high-performance textiles like sportswear and lingerie. It’s known for its elasticity and durability. 

Rubber

Alternative for:

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials, Plant Fibres & Materials

a tough elastic polymeric substance made from the latex of a tropical plant or synthetically.

S.Café® Yarn

Alternative for:

cotton

Type:

Plant Fibres & Materials

S. Café® technology uses coffee grounds to modify the yarn surface, providing faster drying times up to 200% compared to cotton. Additionally, the micro-pores on the coffee grounds absorb odors and reflect UV rays.

Silk

Alternative for:

polyester fabrics

Type:

Animal Fibres & Materials

A natural protein fibre produced by moths. Conventional methods can terminate the moth and cocoon in development; an alternative variation called ‘Ahimsa’ uses methods that do not harm the moth. Since it does not have the harsh dyes included in the conventional silk production method, it is also softer.

Sorona®

Alternative for:

spandex, cotton, faux fur

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

Sorona® is a type of polymer fibre developed by DuPont, made from plant-based materials called Bio-PDO (1,3-propanediol) derived from corn. Sorona is known for its softness, durability, and stain resistance, and is used in a variety of applications such as apparel, carpeting, and automotive interiors. They have 6 different types of Sorona fabrics ranging from a spandex substitute to faux fur. 

Soy Fabrics

Alternative for:

cashmere

Type:

Plant Fibres & Materials

Soy fabrics are derived from the hulls of soybeans—a manufacturing byproduct. Soy fabrics can be blended or made entirely out of soy fibres. Although not as durable as cotton or hemp fabrics, soy clothing has a soft, elastic feel. Soy clothing is known as the vegetable cashmere for its light and silky sensation. Soy fabrics are also moisture absorbent, anti-bacterial, and UV resistant.

Spandex

Alternative for:

Type:

Synthetic Fibres

Blended with other fabrics to create stretch and provide freedom of movement and comfort. The term Spandex generally refer to polyether-polyurea copolymer (plastic) fabrics that have been made with a variety of production processes.

Spider Silk

Alternative for:

silk, cotton, polyester

Type:

Animal Fibres & Materials

Spider silk is a strong and durable fibre that has potential as an alternative to traditional textiles in fashion. Most spider silk used in fashion is actually synthetic, produced through biotechnological methods. It has been used to create high-performance fabrics and clothing with unique properties.

Spinnova

Alternative for:

cotton

Type:

Man-made Cellulosic Fibres

Spinnova is a Finnish company that has developed a textile fibre using a technology that transforms wood pulp or waste streams into yarn without harmful chemicals. 

TENCEL™ Lyocell

Alternative for:

cotton, rayon, polyester

Type:

Man-made Cellulosic Fibres

TENCEL™ fibres are produced using the pioneering REFIBRA™ technology which involves upcycling cotton scraps from pre- and post-consumer cotton textile waste. TENCEL™ lyocell is known for its softness, strength, and high moisture absorbency, and is commonly used in clothing, bedding, and other textile products.

TENCEL™ Modal

Alternative for:

cotton

Type:

Man-made Cellulosic Fibres

TENCEL™ Modal is a type of cellulose fibre that combines TENCEL™, a brand name for lyocell fibre, and Modal, another type of cellulose fibre. It is known for its softness, durability, and moisture-wicking properties, making it a popular choice for clothing, bedding, and other textiles. TENCEL™ Modal is also made from renewable wood sources and produced using an efficient closed-loop process.

Texloop™ RCOT™

Alternative for:

cotton

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

Texloop™ recycling is a global platform that reclaims pre-consumer cotton textile waste and upgrades it into high quality RCOT™ recycled cotton fibre.

THERMOLITE® EcoMade T-DOWN

Alternative for:

down material

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

Developed by LYRCA, THERMOLITE® EcoMade T-DOWN technology is made from 100% recycled PET bottles. This 500 fill power synthetic insulation offers several advantages over down: higher loft, better moisture resistance, warmer when wet, and dries faster. This technology is also breathable, soft and lofty with an excellent hand, and offers high compressibility (packable) with rapid recovery power.

Alternative for:

leather

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

VEGEA is a vegan coated fabric made from a high content of vegetal, renewable, and recycled raw materials. VEGEA products are GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certified, compliant with European regulations (REACH), made in Italy, solvent free and animal free.

Werewool

Alternative for:

wool

Type:

Other man-made Fibres & Materials

Werewool uses nature’s designs to create regenerative fibres that are suitable for the fashion industry. They engineer microbes to produce designer proteins that enhance the performance and color of textile fibres without causing pollution from plastics or water.