Founders of 3 plant-based textile firms form FIBRAL Material Alliance

17 Feb '22

1 min read

Pic: Fibral

Founders of three plant-based textile companies have joined forces to create the FIBRAL Material Alliance. Carmen Hijosa of London-based Ananas Anam, Hannes Schoenegger of Switzerland-based Bananatex and Ricardo Garay of Brazil’s Regenerate Fashion established the international alliance in response to the environmental crisis facing the textile industry.

The alliance aims to bring together companies and individuals working with both traditional and innovative plant-based fibres.

Most fibres now are either derived from fossil fuels or rely on destructive intensive agricultural systems.

FIBRAL intends to create change by bringing together producers making fibres from renewable, Earth-friendly resources, including pineapple leaves, hemp, abaca and agricultural wastes.

These materials have so far been neglected in favour of biosynthetic materials and man-made cellulosics, but by embracing them it could be possible to “bring forward the next paradigm of materials”, said the organisation.

Ananas Anam produces a vegan leather alternative made from pineapple leaves. Known as Pinatex, it has been used to make Nike shoes, handbags sold at Selfridges and clothing for various fashion labels. The material was the first natural vegan leather alternative to be produced at scale.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

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