While futuristic fabrics from fermentation to fungi were once considered unrealistic, alternative materials—those free of animal inputs, PFAS (aka “forever chemicals”) among other unsavory elements—are several steps closer to reality as the fashion industry continues investing time, effort and money into the technology progressing material innovations. 

One of the best parts? All advancements are being accomplished with sustainability in mind, and consumer demand for more climate-friendly products is fueling the shift.

Many brands are taking material innovations to the next level—like Modern Meadow upcycling tequila production’s pulpy fibrous “bagasse” waste into material that can be used for handbags, garments, accessories and furniture—but challenges lie ahead, including securing funding and affordably producing at scale.

One way this is being tackled is through brand collaborations, and fast-fashion retailers H&M and Zara are two companies leading the charge. “Brands who step up and work with innovators are in a position to influence the development of next-gen materials and fibers with their aesthetic and performance metrics; they can be a critical force for building a new sustainable materials industry,” said Thomasine Dolan, director of material innovation and design at Material Innovation Initiative (MII).  

Sourcing Journal’s 2023 Material Innovations Report seeks to inform readers on industry leaders’ revolutionary ways to use natural ingredients in the textile and apparel field—from banana leaves to coffee grounds to algae—and how the industry can thrive in this brave new world. 

Download the report to discover:

• What chemists and academics believe we need for a full PFAS phase-out
• How Polartec’s latest innovation acts as an odor reducer for fabric technologies that are natural, renewable and biodegradable
• How Recover, Rieter and Polopiqué are spearheading a new era of sustainable recycled cotton
• How more than 20 million American healthcare workers will soon be able to wash their scrubs without polluting the environment with microplastics
• How MycoWorks utilizes its patented Fine Mycelium technology to grow its flagship product, Reishi, in its California facilities