Eco Friendly Fibers

Textiles Industry has many working procedures which form flow processes. Each process makes various influences on the environment and human health.Therefore many eco friendly fibers have been invented which do not require the use of any pesticides or chemicals eg. bamboo, hemp,Ramie, mud silk etc.

What are Eco Friendly Fabrics?

Eco­friendly fabrics are made from fibers that do not require the use of any pesticides or chemicals to grow. They are naturally resistant to mould and mildew and are disease free. Hemp, linen, bamboo and ramie are eco­friendly fibers.

Why Go Organic or Eco­Friendly?

• Social responsibility: Chemicals and pesticides invade drinking water and groundwater, polluting its fish and even reaching human consumption. Organic and eco fibers grow without any pesticides or chemical fertilizers.
• Biodegradable: Eco and organic fabric biodegrade naturally over time. Synthetic fibers eventually become waste and let off harmful toxins when they degrade.
• Health: Many people are allergic or dislike wearing synthetic textiles.Eco fabrics have all the properties of the new synthetic breathable fibers with added softness and drape. They feel better against the skin.
• Absorption: Not only do its chemicals reach into the groundwater,conventional clothing is worn next to the most porous organ­skin.Organic and eco­fibers are natural and do not contain irritating chemicals. Many of them are also considered hypoallergenic and naturally anti­bacterial.
• Popularity: Organic foods have been around for awhile and it is a natural evolution that organic and eco friendly fabrics will also gain popularity. Eco and Organic fabrics once considered an alternative are now entering into the mainstream.

Some Eco Friendly Fibers

Name	Description
Bamboo	Bamboo is one of nature’s most sustainable resources; it’s 100% biodegradable and is naturally regenerative. Bamboo grows extremely fast, up to one foot a day! After taking from the plant, the bamboo is spun into yarns with no chemical modification by crushing the bamboo plant and then using natural enzymes to break the bamboo walls into a pulp so that the natural fibers can be mechanically combed out and spun into yarn by under going various processes. Bamboo fabric made from this process is sometimes called BambooLinen. Bamboo fabric is naturally anti­microbial, hypoallergenic and thermal regulating.It is also resistant to mould. Bamboo breathes and wicks moisture away due to its porous nature.Bamboo also has an excellent drape and a silky­cashmere feel. Bamboo is naturally eco­friendly, not organic.
Bamboo Viscose	The other way to manufacture Bamboo is chemically, by regenerating the cellulose fiber, which make Bamboo Viscose. All fabrics manufactured with cellulose, whether its bamboo, plants or trees are rayon (viscose). Bamboo Viscose is considered eco­friendly, as the primarily source is naturally regenerative.
Hemp	Having the most eco­friendly potential, these plants grow quickly and densely which makes it difficult for weeds to hold on­ no pesticides or herbicides needed. Hemp does not exhaust the soil and enables sustainability by leaving the soil in excellent condition for any succeeding crops. Hemp has long fibers perfect for spinning with minimum processing and because it comes in a variety of weights and textures it can be used to produce many different articles of clothing/accessories. Hemp is an extremely durable fabric. It is also very insulating,absorbent and improves over time with washing and wearing.It reveals a new surface becoming softer with every wash.It is also UV resistant, highly breathable, fast drying, hypoallergenic and non­irritating to skin.
Ramie	Ramie is a highly sustainable eco­friendly fiber.It is very strong and durable and is 8 times stronger than cotton and even stronger when wet. Ramie is a flowering plant, and once the flowers begin to bloom,that is when the fibers are extracted from the plant for spinning, it can be harvested up to 6 times in a successful year! Ramie is naturally resistant to bacteria, mould and mildew as well as light damage, rot or insect attack. It does not require pesticides or herbicides to grow healthily.
Seacell	This fiber is derived from wood pulp and seaweed (algae) that, actually diffuses its protective and anti-inflammatory properties into the skin, stimulating the metabolism. It's like clothes are living! Totally intriguing. It contains microscopic particles of marine algae fiber that aid in cellular regeneration.
Lenpur	This biodegradable fabric is made from white pine tree clippings, and "offers the comfort of silk, the touch of cashmere and the lightness of linen." Lenpur is a cut above the other cellulose fibers due to its softness, its absorption capacity and ability to release dampness, and its ability to sustain a higher thermal range — thus keeping you cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
Lyocell	This fiber is made from biodegradable wood pulp using chemical-free processes. Non-toxic solvents are used in its production and then recycled, creating a manufacturing process with very little byproduct. (However, it sounds like it still uses a ton of energy, so it's not perfect.) It can be blended with other fibers to create fabrics like SeaCell (Lyocell and Seaweed, shown above) and Hempcel (Lyocell and Hemp).
SoySilk	This lesser known 100% biodegradable eco-friendly fabric is made from tofu-manufacturing waste. Soy protein is liquefied and then stretched into long, continuous fibers that are cut and processed like any other spinning fiber. Because soy has high protein content, the fabric is very receptive to natural dyes, so there's no need for synthetic dyes.
STINGplus Nettle Fabric	This fabric may be the most sustainable fabric ever. The fabric is woven from the stinging nettle, which "produces a uniquely strong, soft and naturally fire retardant textile fibre" and, blended with pure new wool, it is "the ultimate environmental upholstery solution."