Sustainable Textile Materials Every Fashion Brand Should Know

Conventional materials carry a steep environmental cost. Producing just one cotton t-shirt can use up 2,700 liters of water, or enough to hydrate a person for over two years. Polyester doesn’t fare better, emitting nearly 10 kilograms of CO₂ per kilogram of fabric. And every wash cycle of synthetic garments can release hundreds of thousands of microplastic fibers into the environment.

Governments and investors are taking note. The EU’s Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles is already reshaping production standards with mandates around circular design and extended producer responsibility.

In the U.S., California’s SB 54 is pushing brands to cut packaging waste and meet measurable reduction targets by 2032. At the same time, ESG-focused investors are paying closer attention to materials data, pushing sustainability performance to the top of the due diligence checklist.

And let’s not forget consumers. According to McKinsey’s 2024 survey, 73% of global shoppers are willing to pay more for sustainable fashion. But their expectations are evolving: they’re looking beyond labels and demanding third-party certifications and end-to-end transparency.

All of this adds up to a clear mandate for product leaders: sustainability can’t be done in a vacuum. It has to be built into the sourcing, development and compliance strategies of an organization. With that in mind, here’s a look at 7 sustainable textile materials that are currently driving progress and growth in the fashion and apparel industry.

Organic cotton may be one of the most established sustainable textile materials on the market, but most brands have only scratched the surface of what it can do.

Unlike conventional cotton, organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers or GMOs. It also uses significantly less water when rain-fed: up to 91% less, according to the Organic Trade Association. That makes it a smart choice for reducing environmental impact from the ground up.

And benefits go beyond resource savings. Organic farming methods promote healthier soil through crop rotation and natural pest control, and can create opportunities for carbon sequestration. In fact, the Soil Association reported in 2023 that organic cotton fields store 17% more carbon than conventional ones.

Established sustainability leaders like Patagonia and Eileen Fisher have built strong brand equity around organic cotton. But newer brands are proving it can also scale. Kotn, for example, works directly with Egyptian organic cotton cooperatives to ensure full traceability and support local farmers. Pact has made organic basics accessible at everyday price points and helped bring sustainability into the mainstream without cutting margins.

For brands sourcing organic cotton, look for GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification. It’s widely recognized and covers the entire supply chain, from raw material to finished product. GOTS doesn’t just verify organic content; it ensures responsible environmental practices and social standards throughout production.

Hemp is quickly becoming a top pick for sustainable sourcing teams for good reason. This fast-growing crop requires very little water, thrives without pesticides and even improves soil by drawing out toxins and preventing erosion. Compared to cotton, it delivers 2.5x more fiber per acre and reaches harvest in just 120 days.

The benefits extend far beyond the farm. Hemp textiles are known for their durability, natural UV resistance and antimicrobial properties. They also get softer over time without compromising structural integrity, making them an ideal fit for long-lasting, low-impact apparel.

Sneakily widespread, hemp is found in everything from outdoor gear to elevated basics. Patagonia has developed hemp denim that feels as comfortable as cotton but outlasts it. Jungmaven has built an entire brand around hemp tees and loungewear, while luxury labels like Giorgio Armani are experimenting with hemp-silk blends that pair sustainability with high-end appeal.

The main consideration? Processing. Traditional hemp can feel coarse, but today’s mechanical processing and hemp-cotton blends deliver a much softer hand-feel. For organizations sourcing hemp textiles, consider suppliers using closed-loop water systems and avoiding harsh chemical treatments to maintain the material’s sustainability profile.

Linen, derived from flax plants, represents one of humanity’s oldest textiles and as it turns out, potentially one of its most sustainable. Flax requires minimal water during cultivation, grows in poor soil conditions that improve with flax farming and utilizes the entire plant, minimizing waste. The European Flax confederation reports that flax cultivation actually sequesters 3.7 tons of CO₂ per hectare annually.

Modern linen processing has overcome traditional limitations around wrinkle resistance and color fastness while maintaining the fiber’s natural breathability and moisture-wicking properties. This makes linen ideal for warm-weather collections and activewear applications where synthetic alternatives typically dominate.

Everlane’s linen collection demonstrates how premium brands can leverage linen’s natural texture and drape as design features rather than limitations. Meanwhile, Reformation has scaled linen across multiple product categories, from casual dresses to structured blazers, proving its versatility.

When sourcing linen, prioritize Masters of Linen certification, which guarantees European flax cultivation and processing meeting strict environmental and quality standards. OEKO-TEX certification ensures processing chemicals meet safety standards, while organic certification provides additional environmental assurance.

Recycled polyester (rPET) is one of the most widely adopted sustainable textiles on the market, giving post-consumer waste like plastic bottles and discarded garments a second life.

The result for brands is reduced landfill pressure and lower reliance on virgin fossil-fuel-based fibers. According to Patagonia’s supply chain data, a single rPET garment can repurpose 15–20 plastic bottles.

From an environmental standpoint, the benefits are substantial: producing rPET requires 59% less energy and generates 32% fewer carbon emissions compared to virgin polyester, according to Textile Exchange’s 2023 Material Change Index.

Still, recycled polyester comes with trade-offs. Microplastic shedding during washing remains a concern and most rPET garments aren’t easily recyclable at end-of-season. Product teams need to factor in recyclability and material circularity alongside performance.

That said, rPET is already proving its value at scale for brands of every size and industry. When sourcing rPET, watch for:

• Source quality. Post-consumer plastics vs. pre-consumer industrial waste
• Processing transparency. Mechanical recycling maintains fiber strength but limits dye flexibility
• End-of-season programs. Some suppliers now offer closed-loop systems to recapture and remanufacture used textiles

For brands looking to balance sustainability, durability and scale, rPET can be a powerful option when paired with thoughtful sourcing and long-term product lifecycle planning.

TENCEL™ Lyocell represents the gold standard for man-made cellulosic fibers, combining renewable feedstock with closed-loop manufacturing processes. Produced by Lenzing AG from FSC-certified wood pulp, the process recovers and reuses 99% of processing chemicals, minimizing environmental impact while delivering exceptional textile properties.

The sustainability advantages extend beyond manufacturing. TENCEL™ fibers are fully biodegradable, naturally antimicrobial and require significantly less water than cotton during cultivation and processing. The closed-loop system prevents chemical discharge into waterways, addressing a critical concern with conventional rayon production.

Lenzing’s transparent supply chain documentation and third-party certifications, including EU Ecolabel and OEKO-TEX, provide verification of sustainability claims. However, ensure suppliers source from Lenzing directly rather than using generic lyocell alternatives with less stringent environmental standards.

Recycled cotton is emerging as a high-impact solution for reducing the environmental footprint of cotton apparel. By diverting pre-consumer scraps and post-consumer garments from landfills, it eliminates the water, pesticide and land use typically required to grow new cotton.

These cumulative savings are significant. According to the Recycled Cotton Exchange, recycled cotton uses 98% less water and 95% less energy than virgin cotton, which makes it one of the most efficient ways to reduce cotton’s impact at scale.

That said, product teams need to navigate a few technical considerations. Mechanical recycling shortens fiber length, which can affect strength and durability. As a result, recycled cotton is often blended with virgin fibers, typically those in the 20–50% range, depending on the end use.

More than ever, recycled cotton offers brands a path to circularity without sacrificing product quality or brand integrity in a material that’s well-liked and worn.

Bamboo’s sustainability narrative requires careful examination, as processing methods dramatically impact environmental outcomes. While bamboo cultivation offers exceptional sustainability and grows rapidly without pesticides or fertilizers, transformation into textile fibers still presents its challenges.

Mechanically processed bamboo linen maintains sustainability credentials but produces coarser textiles with limited applications. Most commercial “bamboo” textiles are actually bamboo-derived rayon or viscose, requiring chemical processing that can generate environmental concerns without proper controls.

However, innovations in bamboo processing are emerging. Bamboo lyocell, produced through closed-loop systems similar to TENCEL™, combines bamboo’s cultivation advantages with environmentally responsible processing. Monocel offers bamboo-based lyocell with similar environmental profiles to TENCEL™.

When considering bamboo materials, look for certifications including OEKO-TEX, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), or Cradle to Cradle that verify both feedstock sourcing and processing methods. Avoid vague “bamboo fabric” claims without specific processing information.

Beyond established sustainable textiles, breakthrough innovations are reshaping possibilities. Piñatex, derived from pineapple leaf waste, offers leather-like properties while utilizing agricultural byproducts. Brands including Hugo Boss and H&M have featured Piñatex in limited collections, testing consumer acceptance of fruit-based materials.

Mylo, created from mushroom mycelium, replicates leather properties with fully renewable feedstock. Stella McCartney, Adidas and Lululemon have invested in Mylo development, anticipating commercial availability by 2025.

Other innovations include Orange Fiber (citrus byproduct textiles), QMilk (milk protein fibers) and Spinnova (wood-based fibers without chemical processing). While these materials remain in early commercialization stages, they represent the innovation pipeline that will define sustainable textiles’ future.

The scalability challenge remains significant for most innovative materials, with production costs typically 3-5x conventional alternatives. However, brands willing to invest in pilot programs can gain first-mover advantages while supporting technology development.

In an era of widespread greenwashing, or the practice of falsifying or exaggerating sustainability claims, third-party certifications can provide essential verification of brand promises. Credible certifications include Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) for organic fibers, OEKO-TEX for chemical safety, Cradle to Cradle for circular design principles, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for wood-based fibers and Bluesign for supply chain environmental management.

Red flags include vague sustainability claims without specific metrics, lack of third-party verification and absence of supply chain transparency. Terms like “eco-friendly” or “green” without supporting evidence should raise skepticism, while legitimate sustainable materials provide detailed environmental impact data.

Supply chain traceability has become essential for verifying sustainability claims. Modern product lifecycle management (PLM) systems enable brands to track materials from fiber source through finished product, ensuring compliance with certification requirements and regulatory mandates. This level of transparency can also support consumer communication and marketing authenticity.

Brands that master sustainable material sourcing gain advantages in consumer perception, regulatory compliance and operational efficiency while building resilience against resource constraints and price volatility affecting conventional materials.

Success requires moving beyond superficial sustainability gestures toward comprehensive material strategy aligned with brand values and consumer expectations. This means investing in supplier relationships, certification processes and transparent communication that builds authentic trust with increasingly sophisticated consumers.

As the fashion industry continues evolving toward circularity and transparency, sustainable textile mastery will distinguish leaders from followers. The question isn’t whether to embrace sustainable materials. Now, it’s about how quickly and effectively brands can make the transition while maintaining quality, accessibility and profitability that ensures long-term success.

Ready to turn sustainability into a growth engine? Request a demo of Centric PLM™ software today and find out how some of the most sustainable brands are winning with the market’s most in-demand environmentally friendly materials and workflows.