Viscose rayon, a textile with a complex history and multiple aliases, has often been touted as eco-friendly. However, its production from tree pulp raises environmental concerns. As the fashion industry seeks a more sustainable alternative, recent developments have showcased two potential next-generation viscose textiles.
These alternatives were presented at a London trade fair, sparking hope for a greener future. One promising option involves producing viscose from recycled cotton. The abundance of clothing waste makes it an exciting feedstock, despite the challenges of collecting and sorting textile waste. Companies like Renewcell are leading the way in textile recycling, processing shredded cotton garments into cellulose sheets and ultimately extracting viscose yarn.
This new material, known as Circulose, boasts lower carbon emissions, reduced water usage, and fewer chemicals compared to traditional viscose. Another innovative approach involves using coconut water waste to create cellulose for viscose production.
Nanollose, an Australian company, harnesses a fermentation process with bacteria that converts sugars into cellulose.
This translucent yarn, similar to lyocell, shows potential for scale due to minimal resource requirements and a short production cycle. With these sustainable alternatives emerging, the fashion industry faces the critical question of whether a large-scale transition is possible.
