Textile Revolution Empowering Sustainable Style

A radically new textile made from hair waste, produced at pilot scale for the high-end clothing market.

Human Material Loop has developed a textile made from hair waste collected at hair salons. The textile closely resembles wool and can therefore be produced on the same production equipment, which makes it highly scalable.

Because no new raw materials are required for production, it is a potential key enabling technology for the raw materials transition.

Objective

Strengthening research and innovation capacity and the implementation of advanced technologies

Textile samples and measuring tools in the studio

The goal of this pilot project is to produce the textile on a pilot scale and validate it in the high-end clothing market.

To achieve this, the textile is treated with a biobased coating from Sustanix to improve its performance. Tess van Zalinge is creating a collection that will be used as a showcase for the fashion industry and consumers.

Partners

Tess van Zalinge

Tess van Zalinge designs at the intersection of couture and ready-to-wear to create luxury designs with a functional sensuality that evokes emotional attachment, reliving and celebrating traditions of heritage and local design culture.

Founded in 2016 after studying at Amfi in Amsterdam, her label combines handmade tailoring, unique craftsmanship and architectural references to offer a contemporary take on femininity, with a strong urge to combat waste at every step.

Her aim is to share stories, memories and craftsmanship through designs that last, aligning her ambitions with a dedication to circular longevity.

Sustanix

Sustanix is a Dutch deep-tech company focused on creating bio-based coatings and additives for industries such as textiles, leather, paper packaging and furniture.

The company transforms agricultural residues like sugarcane waste and wheat or rice straw into sustainable materials that replace harmful chemicals such as PFAS, microplastics and fossil-based polymers.

Their technology integrates seamlessly into existing production systems, allowing manufacturers to move toward safer, circular and environmentally responsible material solutions.

Scaling textile production for fashion

To apply the textile in this market, clothing manufacturers need large sheets of textile to validate within their production and design processes.

The pilot project answers that need by producing the material at scale, improving its performance with a biobased coating, and demonstrating it in a full collection for the fashion industry and consumers.

Garment prototype on a dress form beside a folded roll of keratin textile in the atelier

This project is supported by OPZuid and co-funded by the European Union and the Province of Limburg, in collaboration with Human Material Loop, Tess van Zalinge and Sustanix.

More info