Performance Days prides itself on being a carbon neutral event, helping exhibitors to calculate and reduce their carbon emissions. The fair is the number one place to visit for any eco-conscious fashion professionals looking to source sustainable fabrics and accessories for activewear, workwear and athleisure products, with over 450 major international manufacturers from over 34 countries in attendance every year. With so much to see, new relationships to build and an infinite amount of fabrics to feel, we’ve put together our thoughts and findings from our favourite vendors. Join London Contour Experts as we walk you through our highlights from the Performance Days sustainable fabric fair. If you feel inspired to create your next innovative activewear collection, make sure to head to Bodywear Lab to learn more about our wide range of design, sourcing, and production services.
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Vienna Textile Lab is leading the charge with an extraordinary approach to colour. The company harnesses the power of biotechnology to create organic colours from naturally occurring bacteria, rather than relying on synthetic dyes that can harm our ecosystem as well as be costly to produce. Vienna Textile Lab is taking fashion sustainability to the next level by creating vibrant clothing that is much more than just a fashion statement, but an eco-conscious choice. Visit Vienna Textile Lab to explore their vision of a brighter, more sustainable future.
Raddis Cotton offers a fully transparent value chain for its cotton products, and its approach is nothing short of remarkable. From sequestering carbon to empowering rural communities, they’re redefining what it means to be eco-conscious. Their commitment to positive values creates a win-win-win scenario that sets a new standard for the industry. Witness their transformative journey at Raddis Cotton.
In the world of leather, “From Land to Leather” takes centre stage. They process hides from animals that have lived a good life on regenerative, organic, or biodynamic farms. The result? High-quality, locally-produced leather that preserves the unique characteristics of each hide. If you’re passionate about responsible leather fashion, join their mission at From Land to Leather.
Sustainability a key pillar of your fashion business? Head to our honest and transparent mindful policies page, so you can ensure your next collaboration is eco-conscious.
Topping the list is Switzerland’s award-winning material science company, naNea. They’ve introduced a game-changer in the form of their proprietary synthetic textile fibres and yarns. These innovative materials replace traditional polyester with a circular alternative, reducing environmental harm. NaNea is also certified biodegradable, ensuring a safe and eco-friendly choice for the textile industry. What’s truly remarkable is that naNea doesn’t require chemical additives for biodegradability. In marine water, it biodegrades by an astounding 95% within just 99 days, leaving no persistent microplastics behind. Plus, it’s recyclable alongside PET, closing the loop on textile waste.
If that’s not enough, naNea is the world’s first synthetic textile material to be Cradle to Cradle® Certified Gold, proving that sustainability doesn’t have to sacrifice performance. It’s an ideal choice for products where durability and resilience are paramount, and transitioning to naNea in manufacturing is a breeze. Not only does it benefit the planet, but consumers can enjoy a safe material that safeguards their health and well-being. If you’re interested in using naNea fabric for your next collection, learn more at OceanSafe.
Fibe, from Patacel, is revolutionising the textile industry by extracting cellulosic fibres from potato harvest waste. This untapped resource, which amounts to a staggering 250 million tonnes of waste annually, could be both the fashion and agricultural industry’s answer for more sustainable practices. Fibe requires 99% less water, emits 82% fewer emissions, and doesn’t use any land compared to traditional cotton plus these fibres are incredibly soft, durable, dyeable, and washable. Fibe is a powerful solution that could meet global demand for non-synthetic clothing. By utilising this waste, we’re not only reducing waste but also taking a huge step towards sustainability. Join the potato revolution at Fibe.
Swiss-based Beyond Surface Technologies AG brings us miDori@ BRP, a PFC-free durable water repellent with an entirely renewable bio-based composition. Derived from unmodified natural Candelilla Wax, which grows only in the Chihuahuan desert without any additional water, pesticides, or fertilisers, is a clear environmental win. The supply chain is meticulously controlled, certified, transparent, and traceable, providing consumers with confidence in the material’s sustainability. miDori(r) BRP1.0 is all about performance and traceability, with the bonus of a planet-friendly footprint. Go beyond sustainability with Beyond Surface Technologies.
Modern Meadow’s proprietary Bio-Alloy™ and Bio-Farm™ technology platforms are bringing us closer to a world free from petrochemical and animal-derived inputs. This innovation doesn’t compromise on performance as the BIO-TEX SHIELD™, in collaboration with a bio-based waterproof and breathable membrane, is powered by BIO-ALLOY. The result is a material made without solvents and free from PFAS/PFC. It offers higher comfort, increased durability, and abrasion resistance, making it a game-changer in the fashion industry. Moreover, it allows for exciting new design possibilities, including dyeability at the garment stage. Discover more at Modern Meadow.
London-based RHEON LABS LTD introduces RHEON™ Re-activewear, a groundbreaking technology that fuses to garments and responds to your movements. When stretched quickly, it stiffens to provide extra support, making it perfect for high-intensity activities. RHEON has been proven to significantly enhance support without sacrificing comfort, a game-changer for products like sports bras and performance base layers. Learn more about intelligent performance wear at RHEON LABS.
With over 40 years experience producing dynamic performance wear fabrics, Concept III Textiles brings us two innovative insulation solutions; CICLO SHERPA and HALO WOOL. CICLO SHERPA, made from 100% Ciclo Polyester, offers the natural properties of sherpa construction while being biodegradable. HALO WOOL, on the other hand, entraps pure NZ wool into a high loft and stable insulation, offering breathability, moisture management, and natural antimicrobial properties. The family run business leads with eco-friendly sourcing which you can find out more at Concepts III Textiles.
Hwafune presents W-5162-L93-01, an innovation using Porlite 2.0 technology. It combines recycled polyester with Porlite® 2.0 membrane, providing outstanding performance and an excellent body-hand feel. This pioneering technology uses polypropylene membrane with outstanding air permeability and breathability, all while being scratch and oil-resistant. The improved temperature allows for laser cutting and better seam tape, taking garment design to the next level. Uncover the possibilities of Porlite with Hwafune.
Traditional textile manufacturer, Hoyu, creatively reimagines TPU with their NEUCYCLE® Mingle TPU, which includes physically recycled fabric fibres, transforming it into a vibrant, colourful, and dynamic design material. It avoids chemical recycling and prevents it from being incinerated as solid recovered fuel (SRF). With a range of visual effects inspired by recycled textiles, it adds brightness and fun to everyday life. Learn more about NEUCYCLE® Mingle TPU at Hoyu.
Bemis Associates brings us EverFit 6410 Net, produced using an innovative printing process. It creates a flexible and breathable adhesive without waste, making it ideal for apparel uses, including bras and waistbands. The auxetic pattern ensures excellent stretch and recovery, along with a high ratio of bond strength to weight. Get to know at Bemis Associates.
Grandetex’s new innovated yarn, Secao, is a game-changer. It uses cacao shells as material, offering biodegradability and lower CO2 emissions. This eco-friendly process sources 100% of cacao shells from local organic agricultural industries in Taiwan. They specialise in woven and knitted items for indoor, outdoor, sportswear, active wear, and workwear. Learn more about the power of Cacao over at Grandetex.
Tissavel, world leaders in the development and production of premium faux fur fabrics has created a new 100% biodegradable fibre, called Green Planet. This innovative material can biodegrade in seawater, avoiding microplastic pollution, creating a better alternative to both harmful synthetic faux furs as well as real fur. Find your perfect faux fur at Tissavel.
One of our clients, Scarlett Gasque, uses Tissavel for its luxurious faux fur vintage robes!
PolyCore’s Eco-X is a high-performance water-based polyurethane coating. It improves abrasion resistance by 500%, enhances tear strength, and eliminates PFAS and VOCs. Eco-X extends the lifetime and design integrity of products while prioritising the health of our planet. For durable performance wear that doesn’t compromise on sustainability, head to PolyCore.
Innovations in sustainable fashion materials are driving the industry towards a greener future. As consumers, businesses, and fashion enthusiasts, it’s our responsibility to embrace these cutting-edge materials and support the brands that are making the world a better place, one fabric at a time. The future of fashion is sustainable, and it looks incredibly promising. If you want to know more about the variety of sourcing options available to you, check out our wide range of sourcing services, with our in-house sourcing specialist.
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Our family has expanded to include a two new companies. Head to HYSCULPT for all your marketing & PR needs and get to know Bodywear Lab for design and production support!
Our family has expanded to include a two new companies. Head to HYSCULPT for all your marketing needs and get to know Bodywear Lab for design and production support!
