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
![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
![](https://fashionforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/pexels-julie-aagaard-2294477-1-scaled-e1707987020715.jpg)
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
![](https://fashionforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EbenBayer-GavinMcIntyre-Farm1-Credit-Ecovative.jpg-scaled.jpg)
In Conversation with Ecovative: The Innovator Unlocking the Power of Mycelium
Innovators
![](https://fashionforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-Virent-Logo-FINAL-02-.png)
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)
![](https://fashionforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/logo-primary-black.png)
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)
![](https://fashionforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Temporary-logo-until-they-finalise-the-logo-for-their-JV.png)
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
![Smartex Visit](https://fashionforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DSC01550-Enhanced-NR-scaled.jpg)
In conversation with Smartex: Explore Smartex’s AI-driven solutions transforming quality control and reducing waste
![](https://fashionforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Tracing-Textile-Waste-Project-press-release-final.jpg)
Fashion for Good and Textile Exchange Team Up to Trace Textile Waste
![](https://fashionforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/PC-Living-ink-193.jpg)
In Conversation with Living Ink: Turning Biomass Waste Into Value
![](https://fashionforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Denim.jpg)