Algae and other similar types of bacterias may be the answer to creating sustainable fabrics in fashion. Algae can be grown to fit the exact type of clothing mold needed, much like 3D printing, and it leaves no waste behind. It is also completely biodegradable, breaking down into non-toxic substances when scrapped. Dr. Mark Liu, a researcher at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) says, “Algae and bacteria grow really fast and are incredibly efficient which is why they present a sustainable source of material. It takes a field of cotton about 100 days to grow to maturity while microalgae doubles in biomass every 24 hours.” With over fifty known species of algae, a variety of fabric characteristics can be influenced such as texture and stretch.
To learn more, read the Fashion Journal article here.
