You May Not Know That Clothing Consumption Is Tending To Focus On Health And Environment

　　 U.S.A Lifestyle Monitor ™ Survey)

　　“ latest fashion And the textile industry should develop more and more innovative and sustainable Fibers and fabrics To prevent potential hazards to health and the environment. "—— Analytical Insights, Fashionbi

Millions of Americans work hard to exercise to keep fit. However, research shows that some sportswear may have adverse effects on the health and environment of the wearer. This is why more manufacturers are interested in using functional cotton products in their collections.

Although many companies use Synthetic fibre Produces sportswear, but the reality is that consumers prefer cotton sportswear When comparing cotton sportswear with synthetic sportswear, most consumers (51%) said they preferred cotton sportswear, while only 12% preferred polyester sportswear. Six out of 10 consumers said that according to the global sportswear survey (Global Activewear Study)， Compared with synthetic fiber, cotton sportswear is the most sustainable (75%), comfortable (69%), reliable (61%), and breathable (60%).

Although due to consumer preferences, the sportswear industry is dominated by synthetic fibers. The most common one is polyester, but in Erica Fyvie wrote in his book entitled "Waste Revolution: Breaking the Waste Cycle" that 700000 barrels of oil are used to produce polyester fiber every year.

Of course, other companies have also been trying to make environmentally friendly products from waste plastic bottles. But the plastic bottle and the resulting polyester fiber are made of polyethylene terephthalate or PET, which is refined from crude oil. The bottles were crushed, and the residue was mixed with chemicals and water, dried into pellets, then melted and extruded into polyester yarn.

The research of Ghent University in Belgium found that irritant sweat bacteria on the skin are easier to grow on synthetic fiber fabrics. Participants in the fitness cycling class wear shirts made of natural or synthetic fibers. The shirts were then thrown into plastic bags and stored in the dark for 28 hours, after which the scientists determined that synthetic fabrics smelled worse. In addition, scientists found that the microbe bacteria in polyester shirt were significantly more than those in cotton shirt. Skin bacteria consume chemicals in sweat and produce pungent odor compounds. Natural fibers like cotton absorb sweat and prevent odor. But microbes multiply on synthetic fibers.

According to Lifestyle Monitor ™ research)， Nearly half of consumers (45%) believe that clothing made of polyester fiber has the biggest odor problem compared with rayon.

Sportswear brands and retailers should consider that, generally speaking, most consumers (51%) are dissatisfied with the brand's commercial synthetic fiber replacing cotton fiber in sportswear. In addition, according to the research of lifestyle survey, more than half of consumers (55%) are willing to pay more money to keep their favorite sportswear rich in cotton. Among these consumers, nearly half (49%) did so because cotton sportswear was more comfortable to wear, and 34% said cotton sportswear was more durable.

Consumers' understanding of cotton as environmental protection is correct. It takes more energy to produce polyester fiber than cotton fiber. Heidy, founder of Rose&Wield, a British slow fashion company Rehman said that the energy needed to produce a ton of polyester fiber is 29000 to 35000 kilowatt hours, while cotton only needs 7000 kilowatt hours. In addition, the Stockholm Environmental Research Institute concluded that the production of a ton of polyester fiber uses much more energy and carbon emissions than natural fibers, such as cotton. For example, the carbon emission per ton of polyester is 7.2-95 kg, while the carbon emission per ton of cotton is 2.35-5.89 kg.

Microparticle is another problem of sportswear. The investigation of ORB media shows that in the washing process, the plastic micro particles discharged from clothes pollute tap water around the world. This research and analysis from Plymouth University in the UK confirmed that plastic particles are flowing from washing machines to rivers, lakes and seas around the world. Scientists are concerned that these particles are consumed by marine organisms, thus poisoning the food chain. In addition, because these fibers are basically made of plastic, in some cases, they will spend decades or even decades to estimate their decomposition ability in water cotton It is estimated that it will degrade in a few months.

On the other hand, the composting facility research conducted by Cornell University in 2010 shows that cotton degrades faster than polyester fibre Much faster. The innovative technologies developed by American cotton companies have created a competitive advantage for manufacturers who want to produce natural cotton sportswear. TransDRY ® The technology absorbs sweat and diffuses it rapidly, making cotton fabric dry faster and better than most high-tech synthetic fabrics. WICKING WINDOWS ™ Moisture absorption and sweat wicking technology helps to reduce the feeling of wet fabrics sticking to the skin surface. STORMCOTTON ™ Technology protects the wearer from external influences, because it is a breathable, waterproof cotton fabric finishing technology.

Fashionbi, an analysis and consulting company in the fashion and luxury industry, said that if consumers want to prevent health and ecological problems, they should wear and use natural fibers, such as cotton products.

"Through research and technological progress, the fashion and textile industry should develop more and more innovative and sustainable fibers and Fabric To prevent potential hazards to health and the environment. "