Natural Fabrics
Textile companies such as Lenzing are now prioritizing environmentally friendly fabrics when manufacturing their products. From the clothes people wear to the furniture people lounge on, there is often more to textile “sustainability” than people think.
“With growing public awareness and increased consideration for the environment, the textile industry has been forced to produce more environmentally friendly products, be it apparel, activewear, home textiles or denim,” Dr. Florian Heubrandner, vice president of Global Business Management Textiles at Lenzing AG, said. “Many companies are now upholding the eco-transformation trend, making a collective effort to drive growth toward sustainability. They are finding ways to reuse and recycle, lessen the consumption of energy, water and chemicals, and minimize ethical issues in the production process.”
Environmentally conscious, eco-friendly fabrics can also be significantly cheaper than their synthetic counterparts. Some of the most common eco-fiber materials are hemp, linen, cotton, jute, kenaf, and bamboo. Many brands are also exploring the use of cellulosic fibers such as Tencel branded lyocell fibers, and Tencel branded modal fibers, which offer long-lasting quality, exquisite softness, and the ultimate comfort to enhance sleep quality and home life.
Flame-resistant Fabric
A flame-resistant fabric is a fabric that does not support combustion and/or will quickly self-extinguish upon exposure to flames or other extreme heat sources such as electric arc and molten metal. It offers the wearer protection from skin burns, which often result, not from the initial exposure to heat or flame but, from continued burning of the garment. There are various tests and standards that a fabric must meet (NFPA 2112 for flash fires; NFPA 70E for electric arc) to ensure its effectiveness.
Many fabrics are composed of fibers that are themselves flame-resistant, and do not require any treatments to prevent them from burning. These are called inherently flame-resistant fabrics. Not even repeated laundering or washing and wearing can degrade the materiel’s property. Some fabric (most notably flame-resistant treated cotton) are made flame-resistant by applying a chemical treatment to the fabric once it is produced. This method is less expensive, and the flame-resistant properties will eventually wear away over time. In addition, owners need to wash the garment in a specific way, or the flame-resistant treatment will degrade. Lenzing FR is an inherently flame-resistant fiber and its properties are permanent.
Comfort and heat stress are the main factors to take into account because most flame-resistant garments are uncomfortable to wear for various reasons. Many inherently flame-resistant fabrics are based on synthetic fibers like aramids. These synthetic fibers and resulting fabrics do not breathe and cannot absorb moisture from the body. There are FR-treated cotton fabrics, which would seemingly be more comfortable to wear because cotton is a natural fabric and can breathe and absorb moisture. Still, the FR treatment hinders the cotton's ability to do so. Furthermore, these fabrics need to be made in a heavier weight construction to offer the needed FR protection, further increasing its heat-generating properties.
When garments are uncomfortable, they tend to be worn improperly, which can consequently result in burns and injuries in an accident. That risk is why one needs to consider heat stress.
Heat stress occurs when an individual is working in a warm or hot environment, and that person's garments contribute to his/her body's heat load. If the garments themselves are already hot and uncomfortable, then the person's body can quickly overheat, causing heat stress, and possibly even affect one's judgment and decision-making abilities.
What makes Lenzing FR unique is that it offers the same, or even better, protection from heat and flame as many synthetic fibers, while, at the same time, providing the comfort and breath-ability of a natural fiber like cotton. This is possible because Lenzing FR is derived from wood, which is a natural material but undergoes a process to make it into fiber form. It is during this process that the fiber becomes flame-resistant, resulting in its distinctive properties. The ideal products for Lenzing FR based fabrics are protective apparel for firefighters, military and police personnel, and industrial workers, as well as other products where comfort and protection are needed.
Synthetic Fabric
According to Cindy McNaull, Brand Business Development Director of CORDURA ®, synthetic fabrics are human-made and known for their durability and strength. Depending on the type of synthetic, they can provide wrinkle resistance and stretch properties. Some of the most popular types of synthetic textiles are based on nylon, polyester, acrylic, and elastane technologies.
In contrast, natural fabrics are based on fibers that are either grown, renewably sourced, or animal-derived. Typical examples include cotton, merino wool, and rayon. Some advantages of natural fibers include softness, comfort, and warmth (in the case of wool), along with biodegradability, and in some cases, renewability.
Natural fibers tend to be less resilient, less abrasion-resistant and easier to wear out. In contrast, synthetics traditionally offer greater product longevity. An intersection between the two is “Performance Naturals,” offering the best of both worlds.
The extensive range CORDURA® NYCO (nylon and cotton), CORDURA® Denim, and CORDURA® Combat Wool fabrics are three such of these Performance Naturals in action (i.e., hybrid synthetic plus natural fiber combinations) is one such intersection.
Close image of fiber associated with the high strength CORDURA® Lite fabric collection:
CORDURA ® fabrics range from 10 denier sil-nylons and pack cloths, to soft next-of-skin lifestyle and performance apparel fabrics, to bomber ballistics and more. CORDURA’s ® current portfolio includes 15 different Advanced Fabric technologies that will cover a person from head to toe. In addition, CORDURA ® has more than 3,000 certified fabrics in its global library and counting.
Examples of the CORDURA® Advanced Fabric Technologies and typical-end applications include CORDURA® Classic, CORDURA® Lite/ Lite Plus Fabrics, CORDURA® NYCO, and CORDURA® ECO fabric.
Some popular applications of CORDURA® include:
CORDURA® Classic – footwear, backpacks, military load carriage and ballistic vests, protective motorcycle apparel, and outerwear.
CORDURA® Lite/Lite Plus Fabrics – technical packs, day packs, messenger bags, luggage, and accessories, as well as to reinforce high wear areas in work garments and or performance apparel.
CORDURA® NYCO Fabrics – military, tactical, and work apparel as well as active sports and everyday lifestyle apparel. It also can be used in bags, footwear, and accessory items.
CORDURA® ECO Fabrics – everyday bags, footwear, and accessories.
Choosing a Fabric
According to CORDURA’s ® McNaull, whether one is a consumer or product designer, the key to choosing the right fabric begins with understanding the product's end-use requirements:
What activity is the product intended for and/or what problem is the textile trying to solve?
Lightweight strength
Extreme abrasion resistance
Safety and protection
Softened strength
Long-lasting durability