Fabric Switch: All In The Details - Interlining, Thread & More

Despite their sometimes invisible status, the components used to produce and finish garments make up a large proportion of the production market and can have a heavy environmental impact.

The zip industry alone is worth a massive $13 billion in sales per year with YKK (the world's largest zip producer) producing 2 million kilometres of zips per year.

In this guide we will look at sustainable alternatives for four key components: thread, zips, interlining, and tags and labels.

Thread

Amefird

Wildcat® Repreve® Recycled Polyester thread from Amefird is made from 100% Repreve recycled textured polyester sewing thread, suitable for a wide variety of applications.

An organic cotton option is also available called the Annecot certified organic cotton thread, made with a long staple fibre for a smooth finish. 

Amman

Amman's lifecycle threads range includes a recycled polyester thread from from either PET bottles or reclaimed PES fibre. 

This range also includes an organic cotton thread, and the company is looking to expand into other alternatives as technology progresses.

Coats

The EcoVerde recycled polyester thread from Coats is certified to Oeko-Tex Standard 100, class I standard.

Coats have also developed a polyester thread which claims to be engineered in a way which stops perfluorinated compounds from adhering to the product. This is positive step in preventing the build up of these chemicals when polyester is shed through microfibres. 

Zips

YKK

Massive global zip producer, YKK, have developed a number of alternatives to their standard zips in order to reduce their environmental impact. These include: 

• NATULON® chemically recycled zipper, made from recycled post consumer waste
• NATULON® material recycled zipper, made from recycled PET bottles

Both are bluesign approved

• Organic cotton tape zipper

Interlining

Freudenberg

169-year old performance textiles group, Freudenberg, supply some biodegradable and recycled PET interlinings as part of their offering.

Wendler

Wendler are a specialist interlining producer based in Germany. They offer a GOTS-certified organic cotton interlining as well as one made of Tencel lyocell.

Tags & Labels

Avery Dennison

Global labelling and packaging company, Avery Dennison, are committed to reducing their environmental impact.

They currently offer recycled polyester satin care label tapes which can be used for for outerwear, intimates, childrenswear, and performance wear.

The majority of paper labels are FSC-certified and options are also available made from 10-100% pre- or post-consumer waste.

BCI Labels

BCI Labels in the USA can supply:

• organic micro cotton knit labels, 
• organic cotton twill labels,
• 100% hemp labels, and 
• recycled hang tags.

Berbrand

Tech innovation from Berbrand means that customers can now get direct information about a garment on their smart phones. 

Companies can provide additional information through a scannable tag on a label or button, bringing greater transparency to supply chains.

Britannia Packaging

Britannia was the world's first global packaging company to achieve GOTS certification. 

Organic cotton yarn is sourced from GOTS-certified mills and printing is done with Oeko-tex 100 certified inks.