Selected Articles from the International Conference on Sustainable Fashion and Technical Textiles

Natural fiber-based sustainable materials have become more and more popular due to their excellent life cycle, affordability, biodegradability, high mechanical properties, and environmental friendliness. These materials are widely used in many engineering applications, and the field is expanding as a result of ongoing research. However, due of their inherent characteristics, natural fibers provide a variety of challenges in their development and application. Water absorption issues, thermal stability issues, fiber quality issues, and incompatibility with polymer matrices are notable obstacles. Due to economic and environmental factors, this subject is witnessing a dramatic increase in research efforts aimed at improving the performance of sustainable materials derived from natural fibers. Recent advancements have mostly focused on improving these materials from an economic, environmental, and sustainability perspective. Notable developments include chemical treatment methods and the hybridization of natural and synthetic fibers, which has been demonstrated to significantly improve the mechanical properties of sustainable fibers. This essay also highlights the importance of using numerical models to examine these materials. Lastly, recommendations and conclusions are made to guide further research in this emerging field.

The profit margins in the slow fashion industry are often lower compared to conventional fashion due to the higher costs associated with procuring and processing eco-friendly materials and pertaining to ethical production practices. The aim of the present study is to explore sustainable business models for economic profitability and techniques to work on pricing and consumer alignment- overcoming the attitude-behavior gap and cost barriers for consumers – time, effort, money and psychological. The study also explores a brand’s role in consumer education and appropriately utilizing market research and consumer profile analysis to trap consumer behavior and offer a USP which could sell, even at a higher price. Techniques to induce motivation for making a buying decision have also been discussed. Case studies of business models of Patagonia, Ecoalf, Mud Jeans etc. utilizing sustainable business models profitably have been discussed. The paper also covers how brand collaborations play an important role in adopting circular economy at a larger scale and building profitable financial revenue models for high-priced products and usage of impact-per-wear data for consumer motivation. The study will help to identify profit drivers related to product construction and design, collection size or quantity, lifespan, production and supply chain practices to cut down on costs, product services to diversify and drive more revenue.

Silk has long been used to produce luxurious textiles of the finest quality. However, a major issue of the silk industry is that a huge amount of waste is generated from preparatory processes to spinning. Only 45–48% of silk can be found based on weight which is shallow silk recovery during the reeling process and the huge quantum of the silk remains waste in the form of floss. The silk waste after the pierced cocoon cooking process, reeling process, half-reeled cocoon, unreelable cocoons, waste produced in the reeling, and non-twisted silk waste produced at the time of the re-reeling process can be reduced by recycling as it is a significant concept of modern waste management and utilizing it in the textile sector. To make use of silk waste for better applications and to increase its commercial value, an effort was made to produce a product from blended yarn using Muga silk waste and Tasar silk waste. And this will also help in the growth of the country’s economy. This study aims to deal with cleaner production by recycling waste silk fibers for products. In this study, blended yarns were prepared using Muga silk waste and Tasar silk waste in three different ratios: 30:70, 50:50, and 70:30. Fabrics were constructed in plain weave using the prepared blended yarn and tested for different properties, which shows that the fabrics were suitable for product development. It was found that the 50:50 blended fabric was the best among the three ratios.

Textile industry’s ecological footprint could decrease due to the many improvements in biodegradable sportswear that arose from heightened consciousness of environmentalism. Based on the sports context and environmental concern, this critical review examines state-of-art review of biodegradable sportswear. Concerning the natural fibres, organic cotton, bamboo, and wool have been looked at because of the current demands for eco-friendly substitutes for synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon, while the bio sourced polymers like polylactic acid and polyhydroxyalkanoates have also being studied due to the same reason. Despite the many environmental benefits associated with the use of biodegradable fabrics, such as reduced microplastic pollution and chronic waste, there are a few limitations with regards to biodegradable fabrics which include flexibility, moisture retention, and durability. It also looks at the decision between natural materials and biodegradability in terms of sustainability, finding that nature offers disappointing results in some other important aspects such as in moisture absorption and wear resistance of such fabrics that are used in sportswear clothing. Despite the possibility, they often need additional chemical modification to enhance the mechanical properties, which in turn often affects their biodegradation properties. Sustainability has mixed feedback according to athletes for biodegradable clothing; some textile types are relatively excellent in terms of comfort and breathing while they are not very good regarding flexibility and sturdiness. This assessment also puts into consideration the requirement of developments in textile technology to guarantee that biodegradable sportswear meets given performance standards for athletic purposes. Last of all, the assessment is conclusive of the fact that through the use of biodegradable materials, sportswear industry has a great potential of cutting down their impacts for the environment but there’s need for more research and development in this area so as to achieve sustainable performance. The insights thus may ultimately emphasize the importance of integrating stakeholder consideration into the manufacturing of textiles intended for athletes because of the call for a more sustainable sportswear.

As our world continues to grow rapidly, the use of disposable bottles has surged, making it crucial to explore alternative methods for recycling or reusing these non-biodegradable materials. Recycling is essential to address this issue. This work aims to develop a composite material from recycled resources. The primary goal is to minimize landfill waste, protect the environment, and transform these materials into more valuable products. Composite materials are created by combining two or more materials, often with significantly different properties. In this study, recycled polyester flakes, PET fibers, and epoxy resin were utilized to develop a composite through compression moulding at 180 ℃ and 120 kg/cm² for 1 h. A design of experiments approach was employed to analyse the optimal conditions and performance of the composites, examining various variables such as the percentage of PET fibers, recycled flakes, and resin. The composites were thoroughly characterized by evaluating key mechanical properties, including tensile strength, compressive strength, impact resistance, and hardness, to assess their overall performance and durability. The results indicated that the optimal combination consisted of 30% PET fibers, 30% recycled polyester flakes, and 20% resin.

Customized fashion has traditionally been linked with luxury and high costs. Mass production, on the other hand, has made fashion accessible to everyone but has also led to significant industrial waste and pollution. This research focuses on how mass customization allows businesses to provide personalized products while minimizing waste and resource usage. The fashion industry is seeing a rising demand for both uniqueness and sustainability. Mass customization offers a way to meet this demand by producing personalized clothing on a large scale while reducing its environmental impact. The study demonstrates how mass customization meets the growing demand for unique fashions. By enabling individuals to personalize their clothing, this trend shifts the focus away from fast fashion to a more thoughtful and sustainable approach. Mass customization provides a solution that combines personal style with care for the environment, presenting a hopeful future for the fashion industry.

The textile industry faces a myriad of challenges ranging from raw material development to meeting consumer expectations while ensuring environmental and human health safety and profitability. Concurrently, societal priorities emphasize sustainable production systems, rural and industrial economies, and consumer interests. Innovations in product development, alternative raw materials, and processing technologies are pivotal for the textile industry's advancement. Among these innovations, plasma surface treatments exhibit distinct advantages, particularly in modifying the surface properties of inert materials, often with environmentally friendly methods. Plasma, often regarded as the fourth state of matter, is an ionized gas resulting from energizing gas molecules to the point where electrons break free from atoms or molecules. Low-pressure plasma systems, although initially developed for microelectronics, have been adapted for effective and economically viable batch functionalization of textile products. Different plasma types, distinguished by their varying degrees of ionization, present distinct capabilities for modifying surfaces. Cold plasma, in particular, has garnered attention for its suitability in textile treatment due to its ability to maintain low temperatures while effectively modifying surfaces. Interaction between plasma and textile substrates yields several effects, including fine cleaning, surface activation, etching, cross-linking, and coating deposition. These effects enable a wide range of surface modifications crucial for enhancing textile properties such as hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity, antistatic behavior, crease resistance, dyeability, and antimicrobial and flame-retardant properties. Plasma processing surpasses traditional wet chemistry methods with benefits like surface specificity, energy efficiency, and minimal water use. Despite initial costs, it offers increased production rates, lower expenses, superior quality, and unique finishes. Overall, plasma technology holds potential to transform textile processing sustainably and efficiently, meeting industry and societal needs.

A new paradigm in home textiles, bio home linen emphasizes health and sustainability. These eco-friendly linens are made from natural, renewable materials like hemp, organic cotton, and linen, which reduces their negative effects on the environment. Bio home linens successfully resist microbial development and smells when enhanced with natural antimicrobial finishes, such as plant-based treatments, so promoting a hygienic living environment. This research looks at the advantages of bio household linens, emphasizing how they may reduce allergens and enhance indoor air quality while still being durable and comfortable. Bio home linens combine practicality and ecological integrity to provide a workable alternative for environmentally aware families, catering to customer demands for healthy and sustainable products. In order to inhibit microbial development and advance health, this study investigates the production and use of natural antimicrobial compounds in household linens, including tablecloths, towels, and mattresses. This research highlights how bio household linen items may improve indoor air quality and address the environmental issues related to the production of traditional textiles. The results point the textile sector in a route that seems promise for creating high-performing, environmentally friendly home linen products.

In this research work, the single jersey fabric samples are prepared with 100% cotton, polyester/cotton, polyester-lycra, and cotton-lycra by varying yarn count and loop length. The influence of fabric parameters such as type of fiber, yarn count, loop length and fabric direction have been analyzed for seam strength and seam efficiency. The results revealed that in 100% cotton fabric, seam strength increases with a rise in the yarn count and falls in the loop length. Also the seam strength decreases when the seam is prepared in course wise direction (0°) as compared to wale wise (90°) and bias (45°) direction. It is concluded that for polyester/cotton fabric, medium range of loop length has the lowest seam strength value in the bias direction. It is noticed that a similar trend was observed for loop length and yarn count in polyester-lycra and cotton-lycra fabrics. It is noticed that for 100% cotton fabric, the seam efficiency increases with a rise in loop length, yarn count and fabric direction. For 100% cotton seam efficiency range from 64% to 98% and for polyester/cotton fabrics, the seam efficiency ranges from 80% to 100%. While in polyester-lycra and cotton-lycra the seam efficiency is observed to be between 60% and 100%. The ANOVA results showed that for seam strength, loop length has the highest contribution for 100% cotton and cotton-lycra fabric. For seam efficiency, yarn count and loop length combine has higher contribution for cotton fabrics. Hence, it can be concluded that seam strength, and efficiency can be improved by selecting suitable values of fabric particulates.

The textile industry’s design cycle is an evolution that aims to reduce environmental waste by prolonging the lifecycle of materials through reuse, recycling, and upcycling. The framework departs from conventional commercial methods in favour of a more environmentally friendly strategy that offers core items with less of an impact on the environment and designs clothing with sustainability, ease of removal, and recovery in mind. The study looks at a number of construction-related topics, such as economic advantages, technology advancements, and case studies of companies implementing circular business practices. It also looks at the obstacles, legal frameworks, and potential developments related to the global application of circular design, emphasizing the necessity of developing sustainable, eco-friendly materials and standards to spur corporate change in the future.