Fashion for Good and The Microfibre Consortium have launched Behind the Break: Exploring Fibre Fragmentation, an innovative study to investigate the root causes of fibre fragmentation in textiles. This initiative aims to challenge existing assumptions, fill data gaps, and validate test methods to advance industry knowledge and tackle fibre pollution at the source.
Major fashion brands and manufacturers, including adidas, Bestseller, C&A, Inditex, Kering, Levi Strauss & Co, Norrona, ON, Paradise Textiles, and Positive Materials, are part of the project, with Under Armour joining as a partner. Testing will take place at Paradise Textiles, Under Armour, and Northumbria University’s Impact+ Network, focusing on cotton knit, cotton woven, and polyester knit fabrics.
Fibre fragmentation poses environmental and health risks, yet most mitigation efforts focus on capturing fragments downstream rather than preventing them at the source. This study seeks to shift the focus upstream by analyzing how factors like dyeing methods impact fragmentation.
A key component of the initiative is a comprehensive report that will examine the issue from multiple angles, including sources, pathways, biodegradation, toxicity, regulation, and testing methods. The study aims to enhance test accuracy, strengthen data correlation, improve manufacturing processes, and support better regulatory policies.
Katrin Ley, Managing Director at Fashion for Good, emphasized the importance of collaboration: “This study will provide essential data to help reduce uncertainty and guide industry-wide strategies.” Kelly Sheridan, CEO at The Microfibre Consortium, highlighted the need for alignment in closing knowledge gaps.
ON’s Textile Innovation Lead Lucie Anne Martinol called the initiative a proactive step toward sustainability, while Paradise Textiles Head of Innovation Lewis Shuler stressed the importance of informed design and manufacturing. Elsa Parente, Co-CEO & CTO of Positive Materials, underscored the role of innovation in balancing environmental responsibility with material quality.
This collaborative effort marks a significant step in reducing fibre fragmentation and shaping a more sustainable future for fashion.
