What are biodegradable fabrics

Jun 01, 2025

What are biodegradable fabrics?

Biodegradable fabrics are typically constructed using plant or animal fibers: Cotton, hemp (derived from flax), jute, ramie, abaca and bamboo are examples of plant-based biodegradable fabrics processed through mechanical or organic methods; Tencel made of wood pulp is another eco-friendly choice. Animal-derived fabrics include coir (coconut fiber), waxed wool (including Merino wool) and silk (organic silk or ethically produced Ahimsa silk). Alpaca and cashmere are currently the only biodegradable materials on the market, but QMilk fiber made of milk protein as well as algae-based fabrics are beginning to emerge as viable solutions. Biodegradation rates depend on both fabric type and environmental conditions; times can range anywhere from weeks (lyocell degrades in 55 days), months (hemp decomposes within 3 days), to years (silk and wool take 1-5 years to biodegrade, respectively).

Manufacturing Process of Biodegradable Fabric

The production of biodegradable fabrics typically begins with sourcing cotton, hemp, bamboo, or biopolymers made from corn starch or sugarcane. These fibers are then cleaned, retting, carded, and combed to create usable fibers. Single yarns are then converted into continuous yarn, with biodegradable yarns being chosen to maintain sustainability. Next, the yarns are woven or knitted together using standard textile machinery to form the fabric. Finally, the fabric is finished by dyeing, printing, or coating with biodegradable or safe substances, ensuring both biodegradability and aesthetics. When biodegradable fabrics are produced using bioplastics such as polylactic acid (PLA) or polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), production begins with extracting the biopolymer feedstock from renewable resources. These fibers are then polymerized and extruded or molded into fibers for spinning into fabrics similar to natural fibers. Meltblowing or spunbonding can be used to increase surface area, thereby enhancing biodegradability. Other environmentally friendly innovations in fabric production include recycling solvents and chemicals used in the production process, employing advanced machinery to improve efficiency, and using blockchain technology to increase supply chain transparency. All of these innovations reduce environmental impact while optimizing chemical reduction and energy efficiency in the production of biodegradable textiles.

Advantages of Biodegradable Fabric

Low Environmental Impact: Biodegradable fabrics break down quickly when discarded, significantly reducing pollution levels and landfill waste compared to synthetic textiles, which take hundreds of years to decompose.

Sustainability: Fabrics made from environmentally friendly fabrics like organic cotton, hemp, or biopolymers typically require less water, energy, and chemicals in their production, helping conserve vital resources and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Non-Toxic and Skin-Friendly: Biodegradable fabrics are non-toxic and skin-friendly, free of the toxic chemicals commonly found in traditional textiles, making them safer to wear and less likely to cause skin irritation or allergies. Cotton and linen are soft, breathable, moisture-wicking, and durable, making them both durable and comfortable. Reduced Microplastic Pollution: Biodegradable textiles do not release harmful microplastics during washing, helping to protect waterways and marine life from contamination.

Soil Health Benefits: Biodegradable fabrics release organic matter and nutrients back into the soil during biodegradation, contributing to soil fertility and supporting sustainable agricultural practices. Supporting a circular economy: Using biodegradable fabrics promotes principles like recycling, reuse and upcycling, thereby contributing to greener fashion industry practices and reducing the wasteful, disposable culture.

Applications of Biodegradable Fabric

Biodegradable fabrics (such as organic cotton, hemp, Tencel, and biodegradable polyester blends) are widely used in the apparel and textile industries due to their hygroscopic properties (e.g., quick drying), softness, strength, and comfort. They also offer significant benefits in the healthcare industry, such as tissue engineering, wound dressings, surgical sutures, implants, drug delivery systems, and personal protective equipment. They safely degrade in the body and the environment and can also promote wound healing. Biodegradable fabrics and polymer compositions have replaced synthetic plastics in packaging and disposable products, such as wipes, filters, and packaging. Innovations such as flame-retardant, high-strength biodegradable nonwovens have enabled their use in wipe filters and packaging. Textiles made from natural fibers such as hemp, jute, bamboo, and cotton have a wide range of industrial applications, including automotive interiors, filter media, geotextiles, composite reinforced insulation mats, and industrial mats where biodegradability and strength are key. From an environmental and agricultural perspective,

biodegradable textiles release organic matter and nutrients as they decompose, improving soil health.

Challenges of Biodegradable Fabric

Reliable raw materials for biodegradable fabrics, such as organic cotton, hemp, and linen, as well as innovative materials like mycelium or algae fiber, are expensive to source and in limited supply. Using pesticides requires high water consumption, and transitioning to organic or regenerative agriculture can be costly and time-consuming. Manufacturing biodegradable fabrics requires new infrastructure and investment to adopt environmentally friendly processes. Traditional textile treatments use harsh chemicals that hinder biodegradability, and the current lack of large-scale, specialized production facilities limits production capacity. Biodegradable fabrics are expensive to produce, and limited production capacity has yet to achieve economies of scale. These fabrics are more expensive than synthetic textiles on the market, leading consumers to favor synthetics. Synthetic textiles are more durable than biodegradable fabrics, which wrinkle, fade, and wear out more quickly, shortening the lifespan of garments. Achieving greater durability without compromising biodegradability remains a daunting scientific and technological challenge. The textile supply chain can face complex ethical challenges, including "greenwashing"—falsely advertising the biodegradability of products. Complete and safe biodegradation is unlikely due to environmental conditions and dyes or finishes that can hinder biodegradation or release toxins. Certification standards for biodegradability, such as OK Compost, are not widely adopted. Biodegradation requires infrastructure development, a reliable supply chain, and investment that may not yet be fully mature and widely accepted.

The Impact of Biodegradable Fabrics on the Environment

Biodegradable fabrics significantly reduce textile waste and pollution compared to synthetic materials. They decompose naturally in moist conditions like soil or landfills, while synthetic materials take decades or even centuries to break down into microplastics. Furthermore, the production of biodegradable fibers typically uses fewer harmful chemicals, consumes less energy and water, and conserves natural resources. Biodegradable fabrics also reduce microplastic pollution in waterways, while synthetic textiles shed microplastics during washing, which can harm aquatic life and enter the food chain. Biodegradable textiles can reduce dependence on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions; closed-loop production methods, such as Tencel, also minimize carbon footprints.