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Synthetic materials

The source of synthetic fibres and Fabrics is the fossil fuel crude oil. It is estimated that 65% of all fibres used in the fashion industry are made from a synthetic material – mainly polyester, but also nylon, acrylic, polypropylene and elastane. Around 98% of all future fibre growth is expected to be in synthetic fibres, 95% of which is expected to be polyester.

Cotton

One of the oldest used fibres and the most important non-food crop in the world is cotton. Currently, cotton makes up around 21% of all fibre use globally – about 21 million tonnes – but its share of the market is declining due to competition from synthetic alternatives. Cotton production is particularly important for farmers in lower-income countries, where approximately 350 million people are involved in its cultivation and processing.