Introducing the newest addition to our Eco Fabrics: CUPRO!
As we at KOMODO continuously strive to reduce our environmental footprint on the planet, we have made the decision to replace the use of Rayon with Cupro in our new SS21 collection - a greater sustainable alternative with a similar smooth and luxurious fabric properties.
Cupro might sound like a newly invented fabric, but it has actually been around since the 1890s originating in Japan. This versatile fabric has gained prominence in the last few years thanks to its distinctive properties and contribution towards the slow fashion movement.
Cupro fabric is made from regenerated cellulose fibres from recycled cotton linter, the fluffy fibre around the plant’s seeds. It is a by-product of the cotton industry as it is the scrap cotton that remains on the cotton plant after the cotton harvest is complete and usually gets discarded during cotton production.
Producing Cupro makes it possible to use a more significant percentage of the cotton plant – making the fabric eco-friendly.
Cupro is made using a closed loop process, meaning the solvent is recycled until new solvent is needed. The old solvent is then recycled safely into other industries. Transforming the cotton linter to Cupro fabric requires a chemical process. This does not sound like a very natural process, (and it isn’t) however the purpose is to reduce the waste produced by the cotton industry and preserve the natural resources of our planet.
The fluffy fibre around the cotton seed is too small to be used in the production of traditional cotton as they are too short to be spun. Therefore, these small fibres get dissolved in a solution that turns the linter into much longer strings which can then be spun into new fibres and woven into this smooth fabric. Given its cellulose origin and production process, it’s part of the same family of fabrics as Tencel, Rayon, Modal and Lyocell.
Reusing of chemicals: The chemical process that takes place during the production of Cupro is carried out in a closed loop. This means that up to 99.8% of the solvent (waste) can be recovered and reused over again reducing the average amount of resources needed to create each garment.
Biodegradable: Cupro is also made from 100% plant-based materials making it naturally biodegradable so it can fully revert back to nature.
Easy to wash: It is machine-washable and there is no need for dry-cleaning. As it is made from natural fibres, Cupro won’t shed any plastic microfibres when washed in machines.
Cruelty free: No animals or animal by-products are used in the production of Cupro.
Less dye: Cupro absorbs dye far more easily than other fabrics and so less quantities of dye are needed to achieve a certain colour.
Reduced waste: Cupro uses cotton fibres that would have otherwise been thrown away.
Cupro is referred to as ‘vegan silk’ due to its luxurious feel, smooth looking appearance and a structure that drapes elegantly - it is the closest alternative to silk.
The fineness of the Cupro material makes it a breathable fabric with thermo-regulating properties keeping you cool in summer and warm in winter. The soft fibre is highly durable, anti-static and resistant to stretching. Ideal for people with sensitive skin types due its hypoallergenic nature.
Overall, it combines the softness of natural fibres with the practicality of synthetic ones, without the negative impact on the environment, of course. True fabric goals!
Written by Tony Mountford
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