15 February 2022

Strategies for reducing the environmental footprint: Investment by Hugo Boss and Lycra into the commercialization of the decarbonizing HeiQ AeoniQ yarn

Fashion is in the front row when it comes to the production of waste due to over-consumption as well as caused by the production process of materials and goods starting with planting, spinning fibers, weaving fabrics and the manufacturing apparel. The statistics published by the European Parliament at the article 'The impact of textile production and waste on the environment' show some simple facts demonstrated with examples such as the calculation of needed water resources for the production of a t-shirt. 2,700 liters of water are used for the production of one t-shirt. The amount is enough drinking water for one person for 2.5 years. Other metrics concern microplastics and global greenhouse gas emissions. The dynamic of the growing world population and fast fashion reinforced the request for strategies to break the obsolete self-destructive course of a throwaway society and the exploitation of natural resources. The larger the companies, the easier it is to change course in a better direction. Small companies or design labels have in many cases not the financial power to start collaborations with textile innovators. The economic potential of achieving the climate goals has already become a new factor for the positive rating of a company.

Yesterday for example, textile research and development company HeiQ presented the new investment by Hugo Boss and Lycra into the commercialization of the decarbonizing HeiQ AeoniQ yarn which is designed for circularity as an alternative to Polyester and Nylon. HeiQ calculated that for every ton of polyester & nylon substituted by the new cellulosic yarn, potentially up to 5 tons of CO2 can be reduced. The yarn is made out of cellulosic biopolymers that bind carbon from the atmosphere during growth without the need of arable land, pesticides or fertilizer in the production. The word aeon means 'an immeasurably long period of time' referencing from Greek 'life', 'being', 'eternity' and stands at the yarn's name for "striving for eternal circularity". According to the media release heiq.com/heiq-aeoniq-game-changing-decarbonizing-yarn-endorsed-by-hugo-boss-and-the-lycra-company/, the first HeiQ AeoniQ commercial giga factory in Central Europe will be built by the end of 2024. The scaling-up of the company's pilot commercialization plant for fiber production is scheduled for the 2nd quarter of 2022.

Image: HeiQ AeoniQ cellulosic yarn. Photo from HeiQ.