Naia celebrates ‘extremely successful’ first US fair
The spring edition of Functional Fabric Fair in Portland, Oregon, saw the Naia brand of cellulosic acetate staple fibres and filament yarns, manufactured by Tennessee-based Eastman, exhibit in its home country for the very first time.
In recognition of the US market’s growing appetite for more sustainable apparel, reflected by accelerated demand from customers such as Patagonia, Reformation and Everlane in recent years, the Naia line-up notably included partially recycled fibres Naia Renew and Naia Renew ES. The former is made from 60% certified wood pulp and 40% recycled plastic waste, whereas newer product Naia Renew ES contains 40% molecularly recycled waste material, 40% renewable wood pulp and 20% recycled cellulose. Its waste plastic feedstocks are sourced locally, in and around the Tennessee area.
Partner mills Ekoten (Turkey), Luthai (China), Textufil (El Salvador) and Far Eastern New Century or FENC (Taiwan) were also in attendance at the fair, as were traders Takihyo and StyleM, both of Japan, which helpfully broadened the selection of fabrics Naia was able to showcase to potential customers all the more, the company’s global marketing leader for fibres, Carolina Sister Cohn, tells sportstextiles.
“Activewear is not our strongest market yet,” Ms Cohn explains, but suggests the Naia portfolio is not only appropriate for natural or manmade cellulosic fibre blends, even 100% Naia varieties, but is also a “perfect” ingredient partner for performance fabrics made with recycled polyester, owing to its ability to withstand high temperatures and suitability for disperse dyeing and printing. “We are working strongly with Lululemon and Patagonia,” she goes on to say, although there is no official announcement just yet.
Meanwhile, tests to produce Naia acetate fibres from Circulose, the latter’s brand of dissolving cellulose pulp made from 100% recycled cotton-rich textile waste, are now underway at the company’s Tennessee pilot facility, Ms Cohn reveals, further to the letter of intent Eastman signed with Renewcell last autumn. If all goes well, Naia expects to launch acetate with Circulose later this year.
Overall, the fair was “extremely successful” for Naia, Ms Cohn concludes, citing visits from 35-plus brands and collaborators, from Athleta to Levi’s. Despite the show officially closing at 4 pm on April 5, outdoor and activewear brands like Mammut and prAna still gathered at the Naia booth past 6.30 pm, she notes, as did representatives from Unifi, the producer behind the Repreve brand of recycled polyester fibres and an existing Naia partner.
Naia’s booth at this month’s Functional Fabric Fair. Credit: Naia/Eastman.
