Partnering with 10 innovators, Fashion for Good aims to find sustainable alternatives to processes carried out within the fashion industry.
The organization works towards achieving reusable and recyclable materials, a thriving and sustainable economy, clean as well as accessible water, renewable and clean energy, and an improved quality of life for all.
Fashion for Good will be working closely with their chosen innovators for 9 months. During this time, they will help trial the ideas and assist in implementation processes. They will also develop ways for the concepts to find continued success after they’ve been implemented. The organization has successfully carried out this program twice before with different sets of innovators.
This year’s candidates were carefully selected from a number of contenders from around the globe.
Quantum Polychemics
Utilizing Jute bio-polymers, the company will aim to provide an alternative to plastics in textiles and packaging. Some successes in their plight include the development of surgical aprons and personal protective equipment.
Aquaporin
Their main objective is to develop ways for water treatments to incorporate natural systems. They achieve this by embedding proteins into membranes, or the section that separates contaminants from water, within purifying systems. This solution will potentially reduce wastewater volume up to 50 times in the textile industry. Additionally, it could also increase water recovery by up to 98%.
Demeta
Currently, they are developing a dye with bio-based pigments, that is less toxic and has better performing properties.
Wiseeye
This artificial intelligence system monitors, detects and determine the severity of defects in woven materials. By doing this they can reduce waste and loss due to faulty textiles by 90%.
Chlorohemp Agrotech
Using an abundant resource, the company have developed a fabric that is antibacterial, breathable and durable.
Deven Supercriticals
Working with carbon dioxide, the process involves dyeing material without the use of water. The process usually requires less time than its water-based counterpart and benefits include less energy, chemicals and operating costs. The company has developed and improved the existing process, further reducing the amount of time needed.
Graviky Labs
By condensing carbon-based gas, they have developed a means of creating create ink. Recycling carbon emissions into products such as screen-print and transfer inks, this process provides a more positive impact on climate.
Greenhope
Sourcing cassava starch from farmers, the company has created a biodegradable plastic. This is then used in creating sustainable packaging for apparel, food and non-food applications.
MYCL
This company have created a replacement for animal leather by developing a mycelium (or fungus-based) leather.
T-Hues
Through utilization of tea-waste, they have created a natural dye which comes in a wide range of colours. Use of this natural dye reduces carbon emissions by 34% in acid dyeing and 76% in reactive dyeing.
History
The fashion industry has long been under scrutiny for wasteful practices. However, over the generations efforts have progressively been made within the industry to change this perception.
Levi’s creation of a collection which incorporate up to 96% less water in the dyeing process is an example of this. Additionally, Adidas has created shoes composed entirely of reclaimed and recycled materials from ocean waste.
By working together to support these types of innovations or programs, we can all help to build a brighter future.
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