The 5 most sustainable fabrics

Sustainable consumption is becoming more and more popular. Eco-responsible products, minimal packaging, circular economy and slow fashion are all signs of our growing interest in environmentally friendly consumption. Let’s find out more about eco-friendly fabrics.

Fabric 1:

certified organic cotton

Organic cotton is grown without pesticides, insecticides or chemical fertilizers. Its cultivation requires far less water than conventional cotton. It can be used to produce all kinds of materials such as jersey, poplin, canvas or voile, making it a go-to option for many brands. Around 2 million tons of organic cotton is sold every year, compared to over 17 billion tons of conventional cotton.

Fabric 2:

linen

Linen is made from the fibres of the flax plant, known for its resistance and its insulating and anti-allergic qualities. From the sowing of the seed to the harvesting of the flower, it can be cultivated according to the standards of organic agriculture, requiring little water and pesticides. All it needs is sun and rainwater to grown, and it even absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere! It represents only 2.4% of the world's natural fibre production—compared to 75% for cotton—but it is becoming increasingly popular.

Fabric 3:

hemp

The oldest clothing fabrics found intact are hemp fabrics. Virtually indestructible, resistant to humidity and UV rays and well suited to human skin, hemp requires 10 times less water than cotton and does not need chemicals to stimulate its growth or protect it. Hemp is also highly insulating and absorbent and becomes softer over time. It is used to make terry cloth, denim, herringbone and flannel, as well as various knitted fabrics such as jersey and shorn velvet.

Fabric 4:

New sustainable materials

Natural fabrics are gaining ground in the textile and fabric industries: milk fabric is ecological and economical as it only requires 2 litres of water per kilo of material, it makes use of discarded milk and it’s biodegradable. Especially popular in Asia and made from waste pineapple leaf fibre, Piñatex is a kind of leather alternative that is resistant, printable and waterproof, making it suitable for shoes and accessories. Chinese haute couture designer Guo Pei, who uses Laurastar’s ironing systems at her shows, employs this natural material in her collections. Discover our collaboration with Guo Pei. Eucalyptus fibres or Lyocell makes for a strong, breathable and biodegradable fabric. The wood is sourced from sustainably managed PEFC or FSC tree plantations. Other innovative sustainable fibres are seaweed fabric which creates very soft fabrics, coconut fibre which is antibacterial, and lotus fibre that produces a luxurious fabric.

Fabric 5:

recycled fabric

Using recycled fibres reduces the carbon footprint of our textiles – it reduces waste and energy needs, it gives a second lease of life to garments and it safeguards resources. Polyester for sportswear, for example, can be recycled many times without compromising its quality.

Here is a diagram showing an environmental ranking: E being the highest and worst environmental impact and A the lowest.

The 5 most sustainable fabrics