In recent years, the environmental impact of the textile industry has attracted particular attention. According to the European Environment Agency, the amount of fabric consumed in Europe ranks fourth in terms of negative environmental impact. By 2030, global fabric production is expected to increase to 147 million tonnes, thus making the need for sustainable materials in garment manufacturing in Europe truly urgent.
Sustainable materials, often referred to as “more sustainable materials” or “preferred materials,” are those that have minimal negative environmental and social impact. A shift towards sustainable fabrics is essential to minimize the environmental footprint of the textile industry. Some important sustainable materials include:
Organic cotton: Grown without the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, requiring significantly less water and energy than conventional cotton.
Hemp: A carbon-absorbing natural fiber that requires 90% less water than cotton and promotes biodiversity.
Linen: Made from flax, which can grow in poor soil and helps restore soil health.
Bamboo fiber: Bamboo is a fast-growing plant with rapid regeneration capabilities and requires no pesticides or chemical fertilizers to grow.
Recycled fibers and materials: Including recycled polyester extracted from recycled plastic bottles; recycled nylon made from waste materials such as fishing nets; mechanically recycled cotton made from recycled cotton fibers, often blended with new materials; recycled wool and leather produced from recovered fabrics and materials.
Viscose fabrics are more sustainable: For example, EcoVero is derived from certified wood and pulp.
Lyocell: Made from eucalyptus trees, produced through a closed-loop system.
Biomaterials: Including innovations such as Agraloop, BioFibre… made from agricultural waste.
Plant-based leather alternatives: Materials such as Piñatex (made from pineapple leaves) and Vegea (from grape waste) replace conventional leather.
NATURAL MATERIALS FOR HANDICRAFT PRODUCTION WORLDWIDE
Woven products account for a significant proportion of the handicraft industry, with each country having its own strengths in woven goods based on the use of different natural materials. Basic natural materials are sustainable when their extraction and processing are well managed. Here are some basic natural materials used in the production of woven goods:
Rattan: Indonesia has the largest reserves, followed by Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Laos, Myanmar, some African countries, and Europe (Poland, Russia). Rattan furniture is an advantage for Indonesia, but Vietnamese woven goods are currently dominant.
Bamboo: China has the largest bamboo groves, distributed in Zhejiang, Sichuan, etc., followed by India, Vietnam, etc. Vietnam has an advantage in the production of woven bamboo goods, while China has a strong advantage in industrial bamboo production.
Sedge: Distributed in China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Cambodia (Uzu), Japan, and some African countries. China is importing a lot of sedge from Vietnam.
Water hyacinth: Common in Vietnam, Indonesia, and some Latin American countries - with Vietnam being the dominant source.
Elephant's ear: Common in coastal areas of African countries, Australia, etc. In Vietnam, elephant's ear is widely distributed in Ca Mau, Kien Giang, and some provinces in the Mekong Delta.
Bon Bon: Similar to elephant's ear, bon bon is distributed and is beginning to be used for weaving in some provinces of the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. Bon bon is also used in the Americas.
Banana leaf: Used for weaving in Vietnam and Indonesia. The raw material is readily available in South American countries, but the weaving industry in this region is not yet well-developed.
Buong leaf: Egypt has abundant uong leaves and is seeking investors to develop the weaving industry. In addition, uong leaves are also found in Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, and other South American countries.
Jute: Bangladesh, India, and China have the largest jute cultivation areas in the world.
Rice straw: Weaving from rice straw is increasingly gaining attention as a way to reduce emissions from burning straw. Ikea has partnered with India to develop woven products from rice straw to expand the market (pictured). Japanese customers use many festive products made from rice straw and young rice stalks.
Raffia: Raffia is widely grown in African countries for weaving and basketry, including Madagascar.
Sisal: Kenya, Brazil, and China have abundant sisal resources, creating a variety of woven and woven products (rugs).
Imperata cylindrica and sweetgrass: Imperata cylindrica is distributed in Asia (including Vietnam), while sweetgrass is widely distributed in the Americas. These grasses are used for weaving (e.g., pet cages) and baskets, bags, etc.
Sedge: Sedge (also known as sedge grass) is widely distributed in Laos and Vietnam. Reed is very suitable for making woven products, but the raw material is becoming increasingly scarce.
Willow: Willow is a widely used weaving material in China and some European countries (France, England, Sweden, etc.).
Pandan leaves: Pandan leaves are a weaving material used in the Philippines and Indonesia, mainly for weaving mats. Some ethnic groups in Vietnam, such as the Mnong and Co Tu, use pandan leaf mats.
Coconut leaves: Coconut leaves are used for weaving in island nations of Oceania, but on a smaller scale.
Papricot/walnut bark: Finely shredded poplar and walnut bark are commonly used for weaving in European countries.
Forest vines: African and South American countries use various types of forest vines for weaving or making Christmas decorations.
In addition to the above natural fibers, several other types of fibers are also used in weaving and basketry on a smaller scale, including hemp, flax, cotton, fabric, and paper fibers.
