The Microfibre Consortium edges closer to database roll-out
The Microfibre Consortium (TMC) has tested more than 200 materials and yarns that will form part of a fibre fragmentation database and a pilot of that will be rolled out to consortium members this year.
The consortium is made up of brands, retailers, suppliers and academics, and the testing takes place in the UK in collaboration with the University of Leeds.
In November 2019, TMC unveiled a method for measuring microfibre material loss from textiles, and outlined plans for developing a comprehensive fibre fragmentation database.
Work on a pilot has been under way throughout 2020 and among the 200+ materials and yarns tested are knit, woven and laminated fabrics, ranging in fabric weight from 18g/m2 to 455g/m2.
Phil Patterson, managing director of textile consultancy Colour Connections and chair of the TMC Board, said: “Pragmatic recommendations for the industry must be based on credible scientific evidence and the launch of the fibre fragmentation database will enable TMC members at the brand, retail, supplier and research level to work from one centralised platform.
“This is a key landmark in the understanding of the relative significance of different fibres, yarns and fabric constructions on the generation of fibre fragments. The painstaking development of standardised assessment methodologies, together with the scaling of testing by TMC research, brand and supplier members, is another step closer to supporting the construction of inherently lower impact fabrics.”
TMC has hired consultant Trudy Watson (pictured) as a technical specialist to lead the project. She has been supporting the group as a consultant and will now join on a permanent basis.
