Natural Fibres

New Zealand's fibre sector is worth more than $926 million at farm gate, new research has found. The findings, part of the first study to examine the industry as a whole, are released ahead of a full Foundational Fibre Report due in August, led by Fashion and Textiles New Zealand and supported by the Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development Trust.

As industries seek bio-based materials with lower environmental impact, alternative plant fibres are drawing new policy and commercial attention. Yet output remains marginal and forecast to contract, constrained by fragmented chains, weak processing capacity and uncertain offtake. A FIBRAL report argues diversification will depend on standards, investment and market architecture, not fibre discovery alone at scale.

A scientific report has examined the microscopic structure and physicochemical properties of mulberry silk, explaining why the fibre displays distinctive lustre, smoothness and skin compatibility. Using microscopy and biomedical research, the analysis describes how silk’s natural microstructure influences optical reflection, friction behaviour, moisture absorption and potential applications in textiles, beauty and biomedical materials.

The environmental case for natural textiles rests heavily on biodegradability—the idea that cotton and wool, unlike polyester, return cleanly to the environment. A team of UK researchers has tested that premise against physical evidence from lake sediments in Staffordshire, recovering natural fibres from deposits spanning more than a century.

A study from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology has mapped how Bashofu artisans transform banana fibres into soft, durable fabrics. Using imaging and tensile testing, researchers show that age-specific fibre selection and layered processing create breathable, moisture-diffusing textiles, linking centuries-old craft intuition to contemporary materials science and sustainability research.

The Natural Fibre Connect (NFC) 2025 Conference, hosted in Edinburgh, 22-23 September, exhorted: "do not write off the natural fibres in the future of textiles," as it deliberated on issues ranging from climate change, latest developments and trends on topics that unite all animal fibre industries such as regenerative agriculture, green finance, traceability social and animal welfare.

Seven natural fibre stakeholders have come together to appeal to the European Commission to put systems in place that will properly account for the environmental benefits of natural and organic fibres, and promote cooperation across EU institutions to support sustainable, resilient textile value chains.

NextGen materials innovator Keel Labs has announced the commercial launch of garments made with its seaweed-based Kelsun fibre as a range being released later today by California brand Outerknown. Co-Founder Tessa Callaghan tells texfash what it took to get Kelsun from the concept stage to its commercial arrival.

A start-up straddling two continents is spinning an all-new yarn from a 100% biodegradable and 100% recyclable, regenerative but sadly forgotten tree that since time immemorial has been growing unabashed in the wild.

Jute finally gets a formal collective identity in India with an assurance on origin and quality for traditional jute and jute-diversified products with launch of the Jute Mark India logo.