Textile fibers and the impact of clothing sustainability

Determining the sustainability of clothing requires looking beyond the simple distinction between natural and chemical fibers. Experts note that natural fibers are not inherently superior to all chemical fibers in terms of environmental impact.

Stefanie Trevisan, a lecturer at the AMD Akademie Mode & Design, distinguishes between petroleum-based synthetic fibers, such as polyester and polyacrylic, and cellulose-based chemical fibers like Lyocell and viscose. While petroleum-based synthetics are considered less sustainable due to their reliance on finite resources, cellulose-based fibers offer a more natural foundation.

Among chemical fibers, Lyocell is highlighted as a particularly sustainable option. According to Trevisan, Lyocell uses more environmentally friendly solvents than viscose and employs a closed-loop system that significantly reduces the use of water and chemicals. This assessment is supported by Carla Seliger of the Verbraucherzentrale Hessen, who classifies Lyocell as especially sustainable.