US' CXL names 12 finalists for Microfibre Innovation Challenge fund

Millions of tiny fibres shed when we wear and wash our clothing, and these contribute to an estimated 35 per cent of the primary microplastics released into our oceans and waterways according to a 2017 report by IUCN. Stopping microfibre pollution requires a significant transformation in textile and clothing production processes.

The challenge invited scientists, engineers, biologists, entrepreneurs and innovators across the world to submit applications showing how their innovations can solve the issue at the source, receiving submissions from 24 countries, CXL said in a press release.

“These are some of the most revolutionary innovations that are needed to create a more sustainable future. We’re excited to provide critical support to the real solutions, products, and tools that are addressing the exponentially growing plastic pollution crisis,” Paul Bunje, co-founder of Conservation X Labs, said.

The finalists were decided by external panels of experts drawn from across the sustainable apparel industry, microplastics research experts, and innovation accelerators. Innovations were judged on feasibility, potential for growth, environmental impact, and the novelty of their approach.

The Microfibre Innovation Challenge seeks upstream solutions to halt microfiber pollution, an increasing threat to human and planetary health. The challenge is a call for upstream innovations that replace plastic in textiles and/or prevent microfiber shedding by replacing textiles that are sources of plastic microfibre with replacements or preventing/ developing improved textile manufacturing processes to decrease microfiber shedding.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)