Bio-based materials are replacing petrochemical-based polymers in fashion brands!

Since entering the 21st century, with the depletion of global petrochemical resources and the strengthening of environmental awareness in the consumer goods market, naturally derived high-performance polymers with sustainable development characteristics have become increasingly important. Many raw materials are undergoing a transition from chemical-based materials to naturally extracted materials. The fashion industry, which accounts for 10% of total human carbon emissions, is second only to the petrochemical industry in terms of its environmental impact. When environmental issues become a focus of society, sustainable fashion will also become a new trend. The emergence of new materials, such as bio-based materials, is gradually replacing petroleum-based polymers and becoming the darling of major fashion brands.

Bio-based materials, due to their characteristics of being green, environmentally friendly, and resource-saving, have seen increasing market demand year by year and are gradually moving towards industrial-scale practical applications and industrialization.

According to the U.S. "Biotechnology Roadmap," by 2030, bio-based chemicals will replace 25% of organic chemicals and 20% of petroleum fuels.

According to the EU's "Industrial Biotechnology Vision Plan," by 2030, bio-based raw materials will replace 6%-12% of chemical raw materials and 30%-60% of fine chemicals will be bio-based.

According to China's "14th Five-Year Plan for Bioeconomic Development," it clearly states that "bioenergy will develop steadily, bio-based materials will replace traditional chemical raw materials, and bioprocessing will replace traditional chemical processes," and it is included in the development goals of China's biotechnology and bio-industry during the 14th Five-Year Plan period.

Thanks to technological progress and policy support, bio-based materials are constantly advancing towards high-quality sustainable development. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) forecast, in the next decade, at least 20% (approximately $800 billion) of petrochemical products can be replaced by bio-based products, while the current substitution rate is less than 5%, leaving a gap of nearly $600 billion. By 2030, the global share of bio-based chemical products is expected to reach 35%, and the bio-based materials industry will usher in significant development opportunities with broad growth potential.

"Sustainable fashion" has become a trend, making bio-based materials the high ground that major fashion brands are eager to pursue. China has taken the lead in sustainable fashion. In 2020, on World Environment Day, Xtep, a Chinese sportswear brand, launched a milestone PLA (polylactic acid) windbreaker and has continued to delve into the field of eco-friendly fashion. Following that, underwear brand JNBY introduced "carbon-neutral underwear" made from bio-based fabrics, and an increasing number of domestic fashion companies have started to cooperate with bio-based materials companies.

Some domestic and international brands have already taken the first step:

Lululemon invested in sustainable materials producer Genomatica and collaborated to launch the first T-shirt made from plant-based nylon.

Nike introduced the new Nike Forward collection, which is composed of 70% recycled materials and reduces carbon emissions by 75%.

ZARA launched the capsule collection made from Circulose, which is made from 100% textile waste and is biodegradable.

Pangaia launched a plant-based activewear collection, where Activewear 3.0 products are made from 99.99% plant-based EVO® nylon and 30% plant-based creora® elastane fibers.