- Easy care, independent wash and dry cleaning tests have
shown that the Corn fiber garment tested can be laundered using standard
washing and drying machines.
- Independent testing has confirmed Corn fibers have
superior or equal performance to polyester in key active wear
applications.
- Garments in corn fiber reportedly demonstrated good
soil release, quick drying and show excellent after-wash appearance.
Applications of Corn Fiber
Once produced corn fiber has a natural feel that provides
true innovation from yarns to garments. The fiber was developed about five
years ago, and can be used both with woven and non-woven fabrics. The natural
source and inherent performance attributes of corn fiber make it ideal for use
in a wide range of fiber applications.
Apparel - Characteristics like strength, resilience, comfort and drape combined
with loft, natural insulating warmth and moisture management make corn fiber
the perfect solution for both outer and inner fabric performance needs. Moreover,
because of its easy-care properties, corn fiber-based fabrics are an easy
choice for clothing manufacturers. Corn fiber is used in many different apparel
applications such as contemporary sports and casual wear t-shirts, fleece and
jeans. Functional fashion separates like shirtings, trousers, duvet jackets,
jersey dressing and essential next- to-skin items such as underwear and
hosiery. Corn fiber can also be used in new fiberfill blends for thermal
wadding that offers unique natural insulation properties. The use of corn fiber
in clothing fabrics translates into garments that are both easy care and easy
wear.
Home Textiles - The natural versatility of corn fiber allows it to be
created as furnishing and home textile also. Corn fiber is used in different
home textile product categories and it is suitable for bedding fiberfill (such
as pillows, duvets and quilts), ticking fabric5, mattresses, blankets, carpets,
draperies, upholstery fiberfill and in office wall paneling.
Nonwovens - Corn fiber is already in use in two non woven
applications: wipes and feminine hygiene products. With its unique end-of-life
options, it is well suited for use in cosmetics and diapers.
Industrial applications - Corn fibres can be used for geotextiles,
agrotextiles and specialist filtration media. Corn in form of biopolymer can
also be used, in its plastic form, for packaging.
Reduced Environment Impact
Corn fiber leads the way toward producing a wide range of
materials from renewable resources, to meet the world's needs today without
compromising the earth's ability to meet the needs of tomorrow. Corn is a clean
product; i.e., on reaching the end of its lifetime, it is completely
biodegradable, compostable, burnable (without producing dangerous fumes) and
recyclable.
Corn fiber is an environmentally preferable option to
petroleum-based synthetic materials as it uses natural resource, field corn,
instead of petroleum, to make synthetic materials.
Corn fiber in fashion
Corn fiber has already threaded its way into some winning
outfits produced by designers from across the globe. It is currently used in
contemporary sportswear, fashion separates, essential and other knitwear by a
number of designers who firmly believe that through the use of corn fiber in
their designs they can raise awareness for the environmental, social and
political issues close to their hearts with the aim of making the consumer
aware and inspiring them to act by taking responsibility for the world we live
in and the one that we leave to future generations.
References
Originally
published in Textile Review; October 2009
