FIBREFILL: Creating a high-performance, affordable bio-based fibrefill using salt-tolerant plants and novel processing innovation for use in textiles and garments as an insulation or padding.

Textile production is inherently unsustainable and over-reliant on finite resources: freshwater and plastics. The textiles industry uses 10% of all industrial freshwater use for the cultivation and production of fibres like cotton. Conservative estimates predict that the UK will run-out of freshwater supply within 25-years.

Natural fibres like goose-down are used commonly for their insulation qualities. The growth in adoption of vegan ethics is prompting brands to ask for alternatives. The commercially-available alternative, polyester, is the single largest contributor to microplastic production.

The overriding message is that textiles are not fit-for-the-future and that sustainable, biodegradable and ethical alternatives must be scaled into industry to prevent catastrophic environmental damage.

SaltyCo makes textiles that are planet-positive guaranteed, using our game-changing innovation to respond to a huge environmental crisis and desperate need in the fashion industry. Our first product is a plant-based, organic and vegan fibrefill for use as an alternative to goose-down or synthetic fillers. SaltyCo FIBREFILL is biodegradable and utilises exceptionally efficient and environmentally-sustainable production processes. The material is lightweight, three-times more insulating than wool and completely water-repellent.

This project is delivered by SaltyCo and will include a small industrial pilot with YOOX Net-A-Porter-Group, resulting in the production of a sustainable capsule collection.