Longstanding denim-manufacturer Wrangler has revealed its partnership with materials-maker Infinited Fiber Company. The clothing brand incorporated IFC’s Infinna fabric into its Fall 2021 collection, making the seasonal range its most sustainable denim yet.

Made from cellulose-rich waste like discarded textiles, used cardboard or even rice straw, Infinna is a premium cellulose fiber that works on its own and blends with fibers like organic cotton and viscose. Not only does it offer a similar natural look and feel to cotton, it is also fully biodegradable. Apparel made with this regenerated fiber can be recycled with other textile waste and reborn again as Infinna.

“Wrangler is committed to continually pushing the sustainability standards for denim,” said Dhruv Agarwal, Senior Director, Innovation, Sustainability, and Product Development, Kontoor Brands, Wrangler’s parent company. “We believe our work with Infinited Fiber Company and the introduction of Infinna™ once again raises the bar in terms of environmental performance of our denim products without compromising the comfort and quality consumers expect from Wrangler. The introduction of Infinna™ is an additional fiber complement to cotton and an important step forward in the commercialization and adoption of circularity in the apparel supply chain.”

Wrangler’s Infinna denim has been six years in the making. The jeanswear brand and its Innovation Team have been working closely with Infinited Fiber Company since 2015, helping the material company understand the industry’s technical requirements for fiber, while completing preliminary tests on fabrics made with Infinna.

“We are grateful to the Wrangler Innovation Team for their long-term support, for being one of the early adaptors of Infinna™ and for turning our innovation into a beautiful denim that will unlock a new level of circularity in the textile industry,” said Petri Alava, CEO and co-founder, Infinited Fiber Company.

Even though the product was just revealed, Wrangler’s Infinna denim was given an honorable mention in Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Awards, sustainability category. According to Fast Company “t​his year’s Innovation by Design Awards have 599 honorees in 37 categories, representing thousands of people, nonprofits, and companies actively working to make the world a safer, fairer, more beautiful place.”

Wrangler’s Infinited Blue FW21 collection is created from fabric made with Infinna fibers and features the brand’s Indigood and e-flow innovations – designed to significantly reduce water, energy and chemical use. Part of the ICONS collection, the men’s Western jacket and men’s Western jeans, both made with Infinna™, are available at wrangler.com.

In other material news, Patagonia announced its partnership with Natural Fiber Welding and its plant-based material.