Natural Fibers

Natural fibers are fibers of natural origin. They are an essential part of the textile industry and offer numerous advantages over synthetic fibers, especially in terms of sustainability, durability, and comfort. Natural fibers have been used for centuries in clothing, home textiles, and technical applications, and have recently gained renewed appreciation thanks to growing environmental awareness and the focus on sustainability.

What are Natural Fibers?

What exactly is a natural fiber?

Natural fibers are fibers of natural origin that come from plants, animals, or mineral sources and can be processed without synthetic procedures.

For this reason, cellulose fibers like lyocell, modal, or viscose are not considered pure natural fibers by definition, even though they are of natural origin and come from wood sources. This is because they are artificially produced using a chemical, industrial process.

As renewable raw materials, pure natural fibers are known for their particular skin-friendliness and eco-friendliness.

Types of Natural Fibers

Natural fibers can be categorized into three main groups:

Plant-based fibers: These come from plants and are mainly obtained from seed hairs (e.g., cotton fibers), bast fibers (e.g., flax for linen, bamboo, hemp, jute, ramie), or leaves (e.g., sisal).
Animal-based fibers: These are derived from animals, such as wool or merino wool from sheep, cashmere from the cashmere goat, silk from the silkworm, or alpaca wool from the South American camelid.
Mineral-based fibers: These occur naturally, such as asbestos or basalt.

Characteristics and Advantages

Natural fibers offer numerous advantages that distinguish them from synthetic fibers.

Textile fibers of natural origin are breathable, skin-friendly, and provide a high level of comfort. Notably, their ability to absorb and release moisture effectively contributes to a pleasant wearing experience.
Natural fibers are also durable and maintain their shape and structure even after prolonged use.

Another key advantage of natural fibers lies in their sustainability. Pure natural fibers are made from renewable resources and are biodegradable. Compared to synthetic fibers, which are petroleum-based, natural fibers cause significantly less environmental impact in their production and processing.
Additionally, the production and processing of textiles from natural fibers often consume less energy than the production of synthetic fibers. These characteristics make natural fibers an eco-friendly alternative for the textile industry.

Here’s an overview of the benefits of the most important natural fibers in the fashion industry:

Cotton:

Very skin-friendly and breathable
Durable and easy to care for
Absorbs moisture well and is sweat-resistant
Can be washed at high temperatures

Cashmere:

Extremely soft and lightweight
Excellent thermal properties
Durable and retains its shape
Luxurious look and feel

Linen:

Tear-resistant and durable
Cooling and breathable
Dirt-repellent and antistatic
Naturally glossy and bactericidal

Merino Wool:

Temperature-regulating and breathable
Self-cleaning and odor-neutralizing
Soft and non-itchy
Moisture-regulating

Silk:

Shiny and elegant
Very skin-friendly, ideal for sensitive skin
Temperature-balancing: warming in winter, cooling in summer
Tear-resistant and durable

Virgin Wool:

Excellent thermal properties
Elastic, wrinkle-resistant, and dirt-repellent
Moisture-regulating
Self-cleaning and durable

Caring for Clothing Made from Natural Fibers

To ensure the longevity of clothing made from natural fibers and maintain their quality, proper care is essential.

Each material requires specific care instructions to preserve its durability and unique characteristics.

Cotton can generally be washed at higher temperatures, while more delicate fibers like wool or silk require particularly gentle treatment.

It is recommended to always clean and care for garments made from natural fibers according to the care instructions to prolong the life of the textiles.

Uses of Natural Fibers

Natural fibers are used in many areas. In the fashion industry, pure natural textile fibers are used to produce clothing, accessories, and home textiles.

Garments made from animal or plant-based natural fibers are particularly appreciated for their numerous positive properties and their exceptional comfort.