Saudi Arabian seaweed added to Pyratex’s R&D roster
A contract to develop Saudi Arabia’s seaweed into fibre is among the novel projects being worked on by Spain-based ‘next-generation’ textiles developer Pyratex.
At the recent Milano Unica fair, it also showed fabrics featuring degradable polyester and elastane, Circ, Circulose, orange fibre, Spanish cotton and banana waste-derived fibres.
The company’s experience with Seacell, its fabric made with lyocell derived from seaweed from the North Sea, was the inspiration for the Saudi Arabian tie-up, with the government looking to develop its fashion industry and create a new income stream from the raw material.
Saudi Arabia’s Fashion Commission said: “By unlocking the potential of Red Sea Sargassum, it creates a unique opportunity for both local brands and global names seeking to expand in the Middle East. For the first time, premium sustainable fibres can be produced locally for garments designed and made in the region, empowering the growth of a vibrant local fashion ecosystem.”
Although still at testing stage, the results are promising, project director Marcela Arbodela told us. Its seaweed lyocell from the North Sea creates a super-soft fabric with skin-friendly properties including anti-irritation, and the company is also investigating its use in denim.
Ms Arbodela also highlighted garments made with Circ – a filament or a staple fibre derived from post-consumer textiles – from US brand The Park.
Its Mare fabric is made using Oceansafe’s naNea - a polyester that degrades in the ocean in 99 days and which is blended with a degradable elastane, carrying a Cradle to Cradle gold certificate.
Pyratex Active 1 is a polyamide that decomposes in five years in landfill conditions, while Citrea is a collaboration with an Italian supplier to use the cellulose from orange peel and converted it into lyocell, and has been selected by Loewe.
“Not only are these lower impact fibres, but they give brands reasons to talk to their customers, and we can help them with that story,” says Ms Arbodela. “Everything is transparent and certified.”
Pyratex operates an R&D pillar, testing and validating new materials and novel blends; a commercial pillar offering large-scale manufacturing, working with factories in Portugal and Italy; and a communication pillar, helping brands to tell the story of these materials in a way that is digestible for consumers. They also have a compliance department that can advise on incoming regulations.
“Every project we take on, we need to be sure it will work commercially, that it will work on standard machines, and that it can made at volume,” added Ms Arbodela. “That’s where it will make a difference.”
