High Standard Innovations in the Textile Industry
The fourth industrial revolution has left its impact on almost all industries, and the textile sector is no exception. Textile manufacturers are shifting to modern technologies for sustainable fashion, creating high-tech fibers for use as substrates in biomedical applications, pollution control, and energy conservation. An array of naturally occurring materials have been turned into sustainable fabrics that are now being used in all sorts of textile products, from cool bed sheets to pillows and duvets.
The following is a list of the six high-standard innovations in the world of textile.
Table of Contents
1. Hemp fibers
Hemp fibers are excellent because they are durable, anti-bacterial, resilient, and super breathable. This fast-growing plant is very low-maintenance as well as it requires very little water to grow. Moreover, hemp does not require pesticides, insecticides, synthetic fertilizers, or GMO seeds. For this reason, hemp has evolved into a standard component of textile processing.
2. Stinging nettle fibers
Stinging nettle, or Urtica dioica, is a commonly used plant that is versatile and easy to grow (they do not require much water or pesticides). Stinging nettle fibers are ideal for all-year-round wear as they remain cool in summers and are warm during winters. Textile manufacturers are now using them in various garments such as clothes, bedsheets, and more.
The nettles are harvested in the summers, and their stalks are dried to remove the sting. Later, the stalks are broken to create separate woody parts. The plant is then hackled to remove the leaf attachments and separate the fibers. The fibers are then spun wet and dried. They are finally twisted to increase tear resistance, flexibility, and spinning length.
3. Coffee ground fibers
Coffee grounds may seem like a waste, but they can be used to make coffee ground fibers. Coffee grounds are mixed with a polymer to create masterbatches and ultimately spun into yarn. These fibers are multi-purpose, being used to manufacture an array of products. Coffee ground fibers also offer reasonable UV ray protections, natural anti-odor qualities, and quick drying time.
4. Pineapple fabric Pinatex
There is a vegan alternative to leather, and it is made with pineapple leaves. Pinatex is a natural and non-woven textile made with pineapple leaves. It bears a very close resemblance to genuine leather. Pineapple fibers are extracted from the pineapple leaves. They undergo industrial processing and become non-woven textile, i.e., the base of the Pinatex. This process results in a by-product, which is then converted into biogas or organic fertilizer – both of which are useful for farmers.
Pineapple fabric is a vegan and sustainable product. It is breathable, soft, and flexible yet strong and versatile. Easy to cut, print, stitch, and style, Pinatex is a popular pick for fashion items.
5. Banana fibers
Banana fibers are robust, in fact, the strongest natural fiber in the world. Made from banana tree stems, banana fibers are biodegradable yet durable. Composed of lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose, this thick tissue fiber is comparable to bamboo fiber but with better tensile strength and spin ability.
Banana fibers are used to make various textiles of different thicknesses and weights (determined by the part of the banana tree stem the fiber was made from). These fibers are used to manufacture ropes, mats, woven fabrics, handmade paper, and more.
6. Lotus fibers
Lotus fibers are silky, soft, breathable, light-weight, stain-resistant. Perhaps the only downside of lotus fibers is their lengthy and complex manufacturing process. Lotus fibers must be extracted from lotus stems three days after their harvest for the best results. Fibers are taken out after the lotus stems are cut open and then dried before being hand-woven.
Final Thoughts
As the world shifts to sustainability, the textile industry is making waves by introducing innovative fabrics with massive potential in the mass market. These groundbreaking innovations may just change the course of fashion as we know it!
