Plant-based textiles and finishes introduced by Future Fabrics Expo

With the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen and the Future Fabrics Expo in London are both taking place during the last week of June.

The GFS primarily focuses on presentations, seminars, and policy, whereas the Future Fabrics Expo is a trade show presenting fabrics, finishes, packaging, and manufacturing innovation. Seminars and thought leadership activities are also held there. Along with not-for-profit environmental groups including Parley for the Oceans and Canopy, LVMH Mot Hennessy Louis Vuitton and the Alexander McQueen brand owned by Kering are supporting initiatives at the London fair this year.

The Future Fabrics Expo bills itself as the biggest exhibition solely devoted to eco-friendly materials with the mission of putting biodiversity, climate change, and environmental preservation at the forefront.

The event will take place over more than 34,000 square feet from June 26 to June 28 at Magazine London in Greenwich. The Sustainable Angle, a Swiss not-for-profit organization, established and continues to operate the fair.

According to the event planners, the whole textile supply chain will be represented by more than 10,000 products and solutions. A new, cutting-edge materials and technology innovation hub, industry player seminars, and specifically curated areas with a focus on particular themes will all be present.

Additionally, bacterial and plant-based dyes, finishes, and wicking agents will be emphasized this season. These colors and agents have traditionally been produced using petrochemicals. There will also be a section devoted to regenerative farming methods and another to “forgotten fibers” like hemp and linen.

One of the organizations taking part is Fibral, an international material alliance that unites businesses and people that develop novel materials from “ancient, underrepresented, and novel plant-based sources.” Canopy is financing an installation devoted to low-impact, circular packaging options for saving old and endangered forests. The exhibit will highlight “innovative next-gen material solutions” from the Pack4Good program of Canopy.