Fashion for Good, a global platform committed to fostering innovation in the fashion industry, has launched the Feedstock Assessment for Biosynthetic Innovation [1]. This ambitious initiative, undertaken in collaboration with leading brands such as Bestseller and On and the nova-Institute, aims to pivot the fashion industry away from its reliance on fossil-fuel-based polymers.
The project will focus on identifying and validating alternative feedstocks derived from bio- and CO₂-based sources. These feedstocks will be assessed for their viability in producing sustainable polymers like bio-PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PA (polyamide), EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate), and elastane. Currently, synthetic polymers account for 57% of the total fiber production in the fashion industry, making this shift crucial for reducing the industry’s environmental footprint.
Katrin Ley, Managing Director of Fashion for Good, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “Through this project, we aim to overcome one of the biggest hurdles in scaling biosynthetic materials: finding the right feedstocks. Collaborating with the nova-Institute will provide us with the data and insights needed to make informed decisions and push towards a more sustainable future for polymer fibers.”
Philipp Engels, Product Sustainability Lead at On, added: “Replacing materials made from fossil fuels with innovative renewable materials is central to our sustainable material strategy. This project will help us validate and critically examine our material strategy and determine which feedstock makes the most sense from a techno-ecological perspective. Collaboration with other industry brands, the nova-Institute, and Fashion for Good in this holistic assessment is crucial for a relevant project outcome.”
The project is structured around three key objectives:
- Evaluating the environmental impact of various feedstocks to minimize the industry’s overall ecological footprint.
- Identifying feedstocks that are scalable and compatible with existing manufacturing processes.
- Ensuring all feedstocks meet the standards and certifications required by consumers and policymakers for ethical, social, and environmentally friendly materials.
The nova-Institute’s comprehensive feedstock assessment will explore the most promising routes for producing these sustainable polymers. The project will culminate in a series of presentations and collaborative workshops, where partners will engage in discussions to prioritize key feedstock parameters and foster collective decision-making.
In addition, a detailed feedstock assessment report and a strategic whitepaper will be published, offering guidance for brands, innovators, and manufacturers on adopting alternative feedstocks in their supply chains. This initiative marks a significant step towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future for the fashion industry.
Fashion for Good brings together brands, retailers, suppliers, innovators, and funders to foster a regenerative fashion industry. By providing essential support, capital connections, and a network of experts, they help innovators scale their impact, driving system change through powerful, market-ready innovations.
Sources:
[1] Fashion for Good launches the Feedstock Assessment for Biosynthetic Innovation https://fashionforgood.com/our_news/fashion-for-good-launches-the-feedstock-assessment-for-biosynthetic-innovation-2/
