Are you tired of seeing synthetic fibers everywhere you turn? Well, so are we. Not only do they pollute our waters with microplastics, but they also take hundreds of years to biodegrade.

This, though, is where Kintra Fibers comes in. The material science company has developed a game-changing bio-based and biodegradable polyester to tackle this issue head-on.

Starting at the source, Kintra’s polyester uses 100% bio-based inputs, developed by harnessing the power of nature, chemistry, and cutting-edge materials science. This innovative company has created a new, eco-friendly polymer within the polyester category, which has the same strength as traditional PET but is 10 times softer and doesn’t lose its stretch retention.

Kintra’s recent announcement seeks to strengthen its claims and introduce the material to the market on a significant scale. Fresh off a successful $8 million USD Series A funding round in December 2022 led by the H&M Group, the industry players Fashion for Good, Bestseller, Inditex, and Reformation will showcase Kintra polyester in their own tailor-made products with eco-friendly objectives.

Katrin Ley, Managing Director of Fashion for Good, is excited about the possibilities. “Kintra’s yarns and fabrics offer a versatility similar to traditional polyester, making them ideal for luxury, athletic, and ready-to-wear markets.”

But Kintra isn’t stopping there. They’re committed to evaluating the environmental impact of their production methods. Their findings show that their resin production process has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 95%, decrease water usage by 30%, and lower energy consumption by 20%.

Camilla Skjønning Jørgensen, innovation manager at Bestseller, adds, “Kintra Fibers fits our Invest FWD strategy where we continuously investigate alternative fibers for long-term viability.”

While the switch to sustainable materials is, of course, a positive step toward a better future for our planet, it must be caveated with the fact that companies such as H&M and Inditex have been at the forefront of growth within the synthetic fiber market, with large amounts of their vast levels of stock being made of the petroleum-based material. Changing mindsets, systems and economies must be a part of our development in turning fashion circular and saving this planet.

To find out more about Kintra’s mission, visit the material innovator’s website.