New plant-based fabric technology passes EPA hurdle

April 10, 2023  |  EcoNote

Noble Biomaterials, a producer of antimicrobial solutions for soft surface applications, announces that its latest antimicrobial technology has received official Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration. Ionic+® Botanical uses a bio-based registered citric acid formula to inhibit the gro…
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Washing the clothes—and the bag they came in 

April 10, 2023  |  EcoNote

Keongho Park & Yejin Heo, designers from the Republic of Korea, have created a new clothing package that not only dissolves in water but disperses washing detergents. After receiving the clothes wrapped in the “Zero Bag,” both the clothes and packaging can be run though a washing machine bef…
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Partnership to develop high performance, bio-based protein fibers

March 27, 2023  |  EcoNote

German biotechnology companies BRAIN Biotech AG and AMSilk GmbH will cooperate to develop new bio-based protein fibers for the performance materials market. Petroleum-based textile fibers made of polyethylene or polyamide are well known to be a main source of microplastics, as well as causing the u…
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Spiber expands production in the U.S. 

March 13, 2023  |  EcoNote

Japanese biotech company Spiber Inc., the makers of branded “Brewed Protein” fibers derived from sugar cane and agricultural residues, expects to increase its production capacity shortly due to its partnership with U.S. industrial biomaterials developer ADM. The company is also researching how t…
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New PFAS regulation changes are coming

February 13, 2023  |  EcoNote

In 2023, consumer product manufacturers, importers and retailers of products containing PFAS must comply with many new regulations in California, Maine, Vermont and Washington. Companies will need to understand the chemicals used on products, the regulations themselves, and have relevant information…
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Solar-powered jacket needs no battery

January 23, 2023  |  EcoNote

In a program called “The Wardrobe of the Future,” students at Finland’s Aalto University students are experimenting with the development of wearable technologies and other innovations that may define what we may choose to wear someday. 
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Solar film use is growing in Europe 

December 19, 2022  |  EcoNote

Solar film, a relatively new product, is being developed by European firms such as the German brand Heliatek and the French enterprise Solar Cloth and has grown in its use recently. While existing solar panels provide an excellent source of clean energy, their rigid framework prevents them from fitt…
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Leather-like material is made from discarded flowers

December 12, 2022  |  EcoNote

“Flaux” is a new textile, leather-like material that uses waste from commercially produced flowers as its main ingredient and dye. The project was part of Aalto University’s “The Wardrobe of the Future” exhibition, which was organized to support the reimagining of fashion for a sustainable…
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OEKO-TEX® announces a new certification tool and rebranding

November 28, 2022  |  EcoNote

Starting November 2022, the OEKO-TEX® RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS tool and certification will support brands, retailers and traders in the textile and leather sector with due diligence compliance. This requires companies to take legal responsibility for all human rights and environmental violations in the…
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VTT expands development capability of sustainable soft materials 

November 28, 2022  |  EcoNote

Due to resource scarcity and intense pressure to become carbon neutral, companies in industries like textile, packaging, and construction are looking for alternative materials to replace unsustainable ones and improve the performance of their products through new, improved designs.
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