Raw Materials
The fashion supply chain starts with the sourcing and extraction of raw materials. A significant portion of a material’s environmental footprint is determined by how its unprocessed inputs are cultivated, extracted and processed into yarns, making it a crucial area for innovation. New innovative alternatives, such as biomaterials and textile recycling solutions are already being implemented and scaled to replace standard materials.
Projects
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In Conversation with Bananatex: From Bananas to Backpacks
![Treekind material](https://fashionforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Copy-of-5R5A3588_1-e1709288705129.jpg)
5 FAQS About ‘Leather’ Alternatives
![Mira Nameth headshot](https://fashionforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/5R5A5947.jpg)
How Can We Make ‘Leather’ Alternatives With Green Waste?
![Fallen leaves](https://fashionforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/pexels-damien-wright-632075-scaled.jpg)
From Fallen Leaves to ‘Leather’ Alternatives | Biophilica
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What are biomaterials in fashion?
![](https://fashionforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/sime-basioli-BRkikoNP0KQ-unsplash-scaled.jpg)
What are microfibres and microplastics in fashion?
![](https://fashionforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/mycelium_nature-1-scaled.jpg)
What is mycelium?
![](https://fashionforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ECCO_Leather_Ecovative_Mycelium_TealRoll-scaled.jpg)
Meet the Innovator: Ecovative
Innovators
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Virent
Virent uses its patented BioForming® technology to create the fuels and chemicals the world needs from a wide range of naturally occurring, renewable resources. Its patented catalytic chemistry converts biobased carbohydrate feedstocks into products molecularly identical to those made from petroleum. Virent’s technology can produce a range of fuel products, including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, as well as chemicals used for plastics, fibres and films. (US)
![](https://fashionforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/OZO-4-Zymochem-logo-with-text_trans.png)
ZymoChem
ZymoChem offers bio-based materials powered by proprietary carbon conserving (C2) microbes that convert renewable feedstocks into high-value materials while radically minimising CO2 loss during the production phase. The efficiencies of their platform unlock superior economics – up to 50% lower cost than incumbents with a higher yield compared to today’s best in class biomanufacturing. (US)
![](https://fashionforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Polybion_Logo-Alexis-Gomez-Ortigoza-1.png)
Polybion
Polybion is growing premium, next-generation materials designed with nature and manufactured with biology. Their first product, Celium™, is a premium alternative to animal-based leather and petroleum-derived synthetics. It is grown by feeding bacteria with agroindustrial fruit waste; the bacteria, in turn, creates cellulose, a natural polymer. (Spain)
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Ponda
Ponda connects the regeneration of damaged wetlands to the production of healthier materials for the fashion industry. Their next-generation textile BioPuff ®, is a warm, lightweight and biodegradable insulation material made from one of the best plants for wetland regeneration. (UK)
![](https://fashionforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/9Fiber_The_Worlds_Premier_Biomass_Recycler.png)
9Fiber
9Fiber’s patented solution converts unwanted waste material from cannabis and industrial hemp industries into usable bast fiber and hurd to be used into a wide variety of commercial, industrial, paper and automative products. Founded in 2017 (US).
![](https://fashionforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/bananatex-logo-01.png)
Bananatex
Bananatex creates fabrics made from 100% banana fibre. They cultivate plants of the banana tree family known locally as “”Banana Hemp” or “Abacá” in the Philippines, before processing them into a material offering a viable alternative to synthetic fabric. The fabric is coated with a natural beeswax for a water-resistant finish and can be easily composted. Founded in 2008, (Switzerland)
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Hemptex India Private Limited
HempTex India is agro-based enterprise which assists farmers in cultivating hemp by providing optimum seeds, best practices and and by training, educating and empowering local farmers, elevates the socio-economic conditions. Founded in 2021 (India).
![](https://fashionforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/ModernSynthesis-Logotype-Ext-Black.png)
Modern Synthesis
Modern Synthesis is developing high quality, lower impact nanocellulose-based materials to displace conventional Polyurethane and conventional leather. Their patent-pending biotechnology process works with bacteria to produce a spectrum of non-woven finished materials that are animal-and-plastic-free, with reduced emissions compared to cow leather. Founded in 2019 (UK).
Latest
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Reflections from the D(R)YE Factory of the Future Project
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Decoding the ESPR Digital Product Passport (DPP): what is it, when it’s here and which Innovators are leading the way
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Pioneering the Future of Footwear: A New Initiative by Fashion for Good
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Fashion For Good Partners With Adidas, On and More Brands to Make Footwear’s Supply Chain More Sustainable
The Amsterdam-based platform for sustainable innovation is rolling out a new initiative designed to help shoe brands and retailers make their sourcing and manufacturing processes more environmentally-friendly.