Develop novel processing for bio-based wadding material for fashion and textiles, with manufacturability assessment for scale-up

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Textile production is inherently unsustainable, due to its environmentally-damaging intensieve production processes. The industry pumps 2bn metric tons of carbon into the atmosphere every year \[The-Revelator-2020\]. The UK will not achieve its Net Zero targets without reducing the impact of textile manufacturing. Natural fibres like goose-down are commonly used for their insulation qualities. However, while the rapid growth of vegan behaviours is prompting brands to use alternatives, the commercially available option, polyester, is the single largest contributor to microplastic production. Today's textiles are not fit for the future: sustainable, biodegradable and ethical alternatives must be scaled into industry to prevent catastrophic environmental damage. SaltyCo's biomaterial filler (BioPuff Wadding / "BPW") is a planet-positive alternative that regenerates damaged peatlands. Peatlands are enormous carbon sinks, delivering secondary benefits. Our first product, BioPuff, is a plant-based, organic loose fill alternative to goose-down or synthetic fillers. Over 90% of brands who tested BioPuff expressed a preference for organic fibrefill in the form of wadding; a padded, non-woven fabric that can be cut into various lengths. This feedback has informed the development of BioPuff Wadding (BPW), which uses exceptionally efficient and environmentally sustainable production processes to deliver natural, high-performance material properties. The material is lightweight, 3x more insulating than wool and completely water-repellent. Delivered by SaltyCo, this project will include industrial trials of BPW with textile brands. We will integrate BPW with brand technologies to test its manufacturability and scalability in line with demand.