How sustainable are textile fibers?

A look at fiber types, their environmental impact and better alternatives

Clothing is an integral part of our everyday lives – it protects, adorns, and signals a sense of belonging. But what many people don't realize is that the fibers our clothing is made of have a significant impact on the environment. In this article, we take a closer look at the origins, environmental impacts, and sustainable alternatives for various fiber types.

Overview: The most important textile fibers and their market share

The majority of our clothing is made from just a few types of fiber. According to the Textile Exchange Preferred Fiber & Materials Market Report , worldwide (as of 2022) approximately:

·       54% on polyester

·       23% on cotton

·       6% on viscose

·       5% on polyamide (nylon)

·       The rest is distributed among fibers such as wool, acrylic, modal, lyocell , and recycled fibers

The problem is that the two dominant fibers – polyester (petroleum-based) and conventional cotton – are not particularly sustainable .

Why are many fibers problematic?

The environmental problems vary depending on the fiber, but usually concern the following aspects:

1. Origin of raw materials

·       Polyester, nylon, acrylic : Made from fossil resources (petroleum, natural gas).

·       Cotton : A natural fiber, but conventionally grown often with high water consumption and intensive pesticide use .

2. Energy consumption & CO₂

·       Synthetic fibers require a lot of energy and cause CO₂ emissions.

·       Natural fibers such as cotton can also cause high CO₂ emissions – for example through transport and the use of fertilizers.

3. Water consumption

·       Up to 10,000 liters of water are needed to produce 1 kg of conventional cotton – a problem particularly in dry growing regions.

4. Microplastics

·       When synthetic fibers are washed, tiny plastic particles enter the water – a global environmental problem.

More environmentally friendly alternatives – and their development

The textile industry has made great strides in recent years. A variety of sustainable alternatives now exist:

1. Recycled polyester (rPET)

·       Made from old PET bottles.

·       Saves CO₂ and reduces waste.

·       But microplastics remain a problem.

2. Organic cotton

·       Without synthetic pesticides or genetic engineering.

·       Reduced water consumption through more efficient irrigation.

·       In use since the 1990s , now widely used.

3. Lyocell (TENCEL™)

·       Cellulose fiber from wood, obtained in a closed cycle.

·       Low water and energy consumption.

·       Produced in Europe since the 1990s – now considered one of the most sustainable fibers .

4. Hemp, linen, ramie

·       Old natural fibers require few pesticides , little water and grow quickly.

·       Rediscovered in the eco-fashion industry.

5. Recycled natural fibers

·       Cotton, wool or jeans that are mechanically or chemically recycled.

·       Still limited in quality, but a rapidly growing area.

Advances & Innovations in the Textile Industry

The textile industry is developing rapidly:

·       More and more major brands are relying on Preferred Fibers .

·       New technologies enable the recovery and recycling of blended fabrics.

·       Bio-based plastics , such as those made from corn starch or lactic acid (PLA), are being intensively researched.

·       CO₂-neutral or CO₂-positive fiber production is in the pilot phase.

These developments show that sustainability is not a trend, but a fundamental transformation .

Which fibers are recommended today?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer— sustainability isn't one-dimensional . It depends on prioritizing environmental aspects :

Our recommendation :

Organic cotton , lyocell and recycled materials now offer an excellent balance between availability, comfort and environmental compatibility.

Sustainable fibers at TORLAND

At TORLAND, we place great importance on selecting responsible materials. Currently, our products are made from 80% organic cotton , which we source from certified organic farms. Around 15% of our fibers come from recycled materials , such as recycled cotton or recycled polyester. The remaining 5% is made up of other fibers , including lyocell and elastane.

We are pursuing the goal of continuously making our material mix more sustainable . We are particularly focused on the use of TENCEL™ Lyocell , one of the most environmentally friendly fibers available. Initial product lines are already in the planning stages, and we aim to significantly increase this share in the near future.