Clothing and skincare in one: Functional fibers from seaweed, milk and coffee claim duel benefits

In France, Euronews has identified a growing trend of producing fibers from natural sources that also enable skincare claims.

Florida’s Nanonic has created a fiber from seaweed and cellulose dubbed SeaCell. The company says the material has anti-inflammatory properties and that the way the fiber is oriented allows for nutrients, like calcium and magnesium, to be transferred to the skin. The company has gained traction in activewear, most notably athleisure mainstay Lululemon.

Other examples include QMilk and Singtex Industrial Co. QMilk, based in Germany, uses waste milk to produce textiles. Developed by microbiologist and CEO Anke Domaske, the fibers contain minerals, vitamins and proteins, including antibacterial amino acids.  Taiwan’s Singtex Industrial has developed a fiber that recycles old coffee grounds and dries 200% faster than cotton—making it ideal for brands such as Asics and Timberland.