New hub to explore microfibre pollution
A newly established research hub in North East England will explore the extent and environmental impact of microfibre loss from textiles.
Located on Northumbria University’s campus in the centre of Newcastle, the Fibre-fragmentation and Environment Research Hub (FibER Hub) is the result of a collaboration between the University and The Microfibre Consortium (TMC) and will extensively test a wide variety of fabrics to determine the level of microfibre loss under different conditions and the associated environmental impacts.
It is hoped the research will inform the development of more sustainable textiles in the future, with targeted interventions throughout the lifespan to reduce shedding rates.
Work on this topic is being led by The Microfibre Consortium (TMC), a science-led nonprofit organisation which is convening the global textiles sector through The Microfibre 2030 Commitment and Roadmap. TMC connects academic research with the reality of commercial supply chain production to facilitate science-led change within the industry. It works on behalf of its 95 signatories, which include global brands and retailers, suppliers, and NGOs.
Established in 2023, the project is funded through UK Research and Innovation’s circular fashion and textile programme NetworkPlus, and includes academics from Northumbria University, King’s College London and Loughborough University, covering a variety of expertise, such as water, air and soil pollution, forensic science, design, and big data. Working alongside them are representatives from global fashion brands including Barbour, Montane and ASOS and campaign groups Fashion Revolution and WRAP.
Northumbria’s Dr Alana James, principal investigator for the project, said: “This strategic partnership reflects the core aim of the IMPACT+ Network by focusing on microfibres as an overlooked and unmeasured environmental pollutant.”
“Interdisciplinary collaboration with design and environmental science will enable our research to reduce fibre shedding at the root cause, whilst implementing these insights directly within an industry setting.”
Dr Kelly Sheridan is CEO of TMC and an associate professor in forensic science at Northumbria. Her research focuses on textile fibres and fibre fragmentation. She said: “The FibER Hub collaboration enables TMC to draw on the interdisciplinary skills and technical capabilities of Northumbria and the IMPACT+ team to expand our knowledge offering to our signatory community.”
