In Japan, Pangaia, Goldwin, and Spiber have partnered to create a global circularity solution to convert end-use textiles and agricultural byproducts into new materials. This collaboration is part of Spiber’s “biosphere circulation” program, which focuses on utilizing microbial fermentation and novel protein materials to upcycle discarded apparel and textiles. The ultimate goal is to ensure that these materials can be used as nutrients at the end of their lifecycle.
Goldwin and Spiber have already developed a demo product designed to address the challenges of producing compliant items suitable for microbial fermentation.
Spiber is testing various fibers, dyes, and processing chemicals used in apparel production to determine their suitability for digestion into nutrients, and plans to publish product requirements to facilitate the adoption of this process.
Participation of Pangaia and Goldwin to Spiber’s efforts will contribute to the accumulation of valuable data and the development of product design guidelines that enable the decomposition of garments into biological nutrients for upcycling, with the ultimate goal of enabling the fashion industry to shift from a linear model to one that is circular.