CARBON MAY BE THE SOLUTION
Information on carbon emissions can be quite overwhelming, especially when reading about its very severe consequences if nothing changes. To prevent further damage to the earth, carbon emissions need to be cut in half by 2030 compared to 2011 levels. Innovators are working around the world on technology and patents to help turn carbon dioxide into materials, dyes, and pigments. Textiles are traditionally made from virgin oil-based fibers, which are far less substantiable than carbon emissions. Companies like LanzaTech, MangoMaterials, Rubi Laboratories and AIR-INK are making strides in sustainable technology and industry.
Source: Scientific America
LanzaTech uses gas from factory pollution and feeds the gas bacteria. By doing this it forms mono-ethylene glycol which can be used to make polyester. The Chicago-based company worked previously with Zara and Lululemon on synthetic fiber garments using carbon from steel mills.
Lululemon plans to work with LanzaTech to produce 100 percent of its products using sustainable materials working towards a circular ecosystem by 2030. When it comes to licensing LanzaTech uses gas fermentation technology for factories having two commercial plants in China and seven more built currently around the world. Due to Brookfield an energy company each plant potentially eliminates around 100,000 tons of carbon emissions yearly.
Source: VT
Source: GreenBiz
A US biotechnology firm called MangoMaterials uses methane in the process of making PHB polyester. PHB polyester is a completely biodegradable thermoplastic polyester. Another flourishing company is Rubi Laboratories, who‘s patent pending technology uses enzymes with carbon that turns into carbon-neutral cellulose. The company has been awarded the H&M Foundation's Global Innovation Change Award and Fashion for Good's 2022 Global Innovation Programme member.
Source: Rubi
Innovators are working on making soot and biochar into pigments, dyes, and inks turning carbon dioxide into a way to color the materials. A company called AIR-INK by Graviky Labs uses soot mixed with oils and solutions to make a safe carbon-neutral ink. Located in India, they have begun to work with Pangia and use this ink for future ranges. Pangia line collaboration with AIR-INK will be coming out on April 20th.
As sustainability progresses with more companies joining in research efforts, greener alternatives become more accessible. By re-using air pollution they produce to make materials and dyes they can reduce climate change. We can't wait to see what our favorite brands do next.