The Saudi Fashion Commission has announced the development of a bio-textile made from marine algae collected from the Red Sea. Known as the Red Sea Seaweed Project, the initiative marks the first concrete result of the commission’s shift toward materials research and development. The strategy is intended to set Saudi Arabia’s emerging fashion industry apart from established global fashion centres by focusing on innovation.

The project is a collaboration between the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), which has extensive expertise in marine algae research, Madrid-based textile innovator Pyratex, and the commission’s own production facility, The Lab, located in Riyadh. Together, they have created a breathable and skin-friendly fabric that combines lyocell, algae-based additives and organic cotton, with full traceability from raw material collection to finished garment.

Cakmak highlighted the importance of local conditions in the process, explaining that while seaweed may be available in other regions, the intense sunlight required for drying is a key advantage offered by Saudi Arabia’s climate.

So far, the commission has produced 30 metres of fabric and used it to create a finished top and vest at The Lab. These samples were developed to demonstrate the material’s potential for commercial use. The fabric’s natural breathability and comfort make it particularly suitable for clothing designed for the region’s hot climate.

Further testing is underway to refine the material for different environmental conditions within the country. According to Cakmak, the team is evaluating how the fabric performs in humid coastal areas compared with drier inland regions such as Riyadh, with the aim of adjusting fiber blends to suit different needs.