Clothing made from Algae: From ancient Life Forms to High Fashion
Vegan products, especially in fashion, have been a trend for quite a while. Now algae and seaweed in particular, have caught the attention of the fashion industry. Researchers and designers are exploring innovative ways to use algae as a sustainable alternative to conventional textiles, for example in clothing.
Algae are among the oldest life forms on our planet. Their history stretches back about 3.5 billion years. Around 1.6 billion years ago, the first algae, as we know them today, developed and spread all over the globe. There are red, brown and green algae and many other forms too. This diverse group of organisms has adapted to a wide variety of different environments over time and forms the basis of the aquatic ecosystem.
The Benefits of Clothing made from Algae
Algae are the raw material of the future. Here you can learn about the benefits of clothing from algae:
Sustainable Production
Algae grow quickly, require no pesticides for breeding and use significantly less water and land than cotton. Some startups and companies like Smartfiber use brown algae, sustainably harvested off the coast of Iceland, to produce innovative fibers like SeaCell.
Health Benefits
Clothing made from algae fibers contains natural vitamins and minerals, which are released into the skin when worn. These substances have anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties. Clothing made from algae is natural medicine for our body.
Breathability and Comfort
Algae fibers are particularly breathable and regulate body temperature: They cool in summer and warm in winter. Textiles made from algae have antibacterial properties and can neutralize odors. This makes clothing from algae interesting for sportswear or workwear, as well as bed linen and towels.
Biodegradability
Unlike synthetic fibers, which take centuries to decompose, garments made from algae can be completely composted within a very short time, making them one of the most ecofriendly alternatives to other organic fibers.
How is clothing made from algae?
There are various processes used to make clothing from algae.
- Some manufacturers dry and grind the algae and then combine it with cellulose or other natural fibers.
- Others, like AlgiKnit, extract alginic acid, a natural biopolymer from seaweed, which is then processed into elastic yarn. These yarns are lightweight, breathable and flexible, just perfect for modern clothing.
- Innovative companies like Post Carbon Lab go one step further. They have developed a method of coating clothes with living algae. This "living" clothing undergoes photosynthesis and can actively absorb CO2 from the environment, reducing the wearer's ecological footprint.
Clothing made from algae: Where is it used?
Clothing made from seaweed is already being used in various areas, for example, in:
Everyday fashion: Shirts, leggings, and underwear from brands like Grey Fashion Berlin or Speidel.
Sportswear: Breathable materials are ideal for athletic activities; brands like VIDAR Sport and Gooden are already using this material.
Children’s clothing: Brands like Coq en Pâte combine seaweed fibers with plastic to create durable children’s clothing for outdoor activities.
Designer fashion: Some designers also use algae-based fabrics for exclusive collections, such as Stella McCartney’s brand.
Projects: The Technical University of Berlin performed a project, where students, under the direction of textile scientist Josephine Barbe, developed a collection made from brown algae.
Poto Pexels by Anastasia Shuraeva
Clothing made from algae: challenges and future prospects
Although algae-based clothing offers many advantages, mass production still faces challenges. Manufacturing is currently more cost-intensive than conventional textiles, making widespread market introduction difficult. Production processes must be further developed and become more easy to be more economically in the future. Interest in algae-based clothing is steadily growing, but awareness for organic clothing is still limited.
Despite these hurdles, this technology has the potential to transform the fashion industry for good. The good news is that more and more companies and designers are incorporating algae-based materials into their collections, demonstrating that this development is more than just a trend and holds great promise for the future.
With their ability to capture CO2 and conserve resources, algae fibers are an important building block on the path to a much more climate-friendly textile industry. For environmentally conscious consumers, algae-based clothing is an exciting way to reduce their ecological footprint—without sacrificing style or comfort. The green revolution in fashion has begun!
Algae are once again proving their amazing versatility and importance to our planet.
