Agriculture is one major industry becoming increasingly more relevant to create a more sustainable future for fashion.
For example, dent corn will soon be a replacement for key fossil-based ingredients used in spandex fiber. This, in turn, will help create lower-impact, more sustainable textiles and apparel while redefining the way fashion speaks about corn.
What is the new meaning of “corn” in fashion? Hint: It’s not the sweet corn we typically think of on a summer’s plate. Here, Fairchild Studio and The LYCRA Company have laid the groundwork for a better understanding of the terms surrounding this new entrant into agriculture’s role in fashion.
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Decarbonization
The process of transitioning from fossil fuels like oil to carbon-neutral and renewable energy sources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Achieving this goal requires each link in the entire supply chain to reduce its carbon footprint.
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QIRA®
Next-generation bio-derived 1,4-Butanediol (BDO) created by Qore® and derived from field or industrial dent corn from Iowa. The name QIRA® is derived from one of the origins of the word “carat,” which is also known as a measurement for the purity of gold. QIRA® stands for the highest quality, purity and naturalness.
Bio-derived Materials
Refers to products that are primarily made up of substances that come from living materials, also known
as biomass. They can occur naturally, can be synthesized or be created through processes that use biomass.
Fossil-based Resources
Oil, coal and natural gas are all examples of non-renewable or fossil-based resources because they were formed millions of years ago when prehistoric animals and plants died and became fossilized. Today, these resources are mined and used to produce energy that causes the majority of greenhouse gas emissions.
Regenerative Agriculture
These farming techniques include crop rotation, cover crops, and no or low-till farming and are centered on protecting soil health, water resources and biodiversity while also enhancing farm productivity and profitability.
Dent Corn
A type of field corn with a high soft starch content grown with the intentional purpose of being used for animal feed, ethanol and other industrial purposes. Dent corn is fractionated into its various elements (starch, protein/germ, oil and moisture). The starch from it can be used to make fibers, adhesives and packaging.
For a full glossary and to learn more about Lycra x QIRA® visit fashion-farmers.com