This company has created an algae-based fiber for truly sustainable fashion

The industry of fashion is going through a sustainable revolution and one of the most interesting developments comes from Keel Labsan innovative company that created Kelsuna fiber completely made from marine algae biopolymers.

This fiber represents a concrete alternative to synthetic fabrics derived from petroleumwhich they employ centuries to biodegrade and contribute significantly to ocean and landfill pollution. The peculiarity of the Kelsun lies in its production process.

Unlike materials such as cotton, which requires enormous amounts of arable land and water resources, Kelsun is made with sustainably grown seaweed. Algae are a natural resource that grows quickly without the use of pesticides or fertilizersalso contributing to improving the quality of ocean waters thanks to their ability to absorb CO2. Additionally, Keel Labs sources its algae from existing marine cropswithout damaging natural habitats or wild resources.

Fiber can be easily integrated into existing manufacturing processes

During New York Climate Week, Keel Labs founders Aleks Gosiewski and Tessa Callaghan introduced Kelsun as a ready solution for immediate implementation within global textile supply chains. Kelsun’s potential has already been proven through collaborations with fashion brands known as Outerknown and Stella McCartney, who have used the material to create sustainable clothing and accessories.

Fiber can be easily integrated into existing production processeswithout the need for new technologies or equipment, making it a practical and scalable solution for the fashion industry. A concrete example of the use of Kelsun it’s there Kelsun T-Shirtpresented in January 2024.

This piece, made in collaboration with climate activist Aditi Mayer, is made from a blend of 70% Kelsun and 30% cotton. The T-Shirt was designed to demonstrate how the Kelsun can easily replace conventional fiberssuch as cotton, while reducing the environmental impact of textile production.

The garment is also an example of how biomaterials can revolutionize the fashion industry, offering performance comparable to synthetic materials but with significantly higher environmental benefits. Keel Labs is also exploring new uses for Kelsun beyond clothing, with potential applications in sectors such as automotive, furniture and household items.

This development represents a fundamental step forward towards one more sustainable fashion in many fields in addition to classic clothing, capable of reducing the use of natural resources and reducing the environmental impact of the textile industry in order to safeguard our planet for future generations.