The first-ever yarn created from carbon emissions directly through a fully enzymatic process is introduced by the Danish fashion label Ganni and the California start-up Rubi, which is a pioneer in carbon-negative cellulosic textiles.
The yarn was introduced at the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen and represents phase two of the strategic pilot relationship between the two firms, with the goal of producing clothing using Rubi-made CO2 fabric. The yarn is carbon-made and water and land neutral.
As the first fashion company to ever test fabrics manufactured with Rubi’s patent-pending technology, Ganni will use a blend of regular industry cellulose and 20 percent Rubi cellulose yarn. The carbon sequestration method used to create the yarn samples was motivated by photosynthesis and how trees take in CO2.
Neeka Mashouf, chief executive and co-founder of Rubi Labs, said in a statement: “We created Rubi to ensure our planetary future by restoring Earth’s ecological balance with reimagined supply chains that are symbiotic with the planet.”
The partnership is a part of Ganni’s ambitious internal programme called “Fabrics of the Future,” which aims to research and develop cutting-edge materials that will aid in the transition to a more circular and low-impact fashion industry while funding start-up fabric innovations through product offtake agreements.
Nicolaj Reffstrup, founder at Ganni, added: “We are excited to be working with Rubi on this exciting fabric development.”
Rubi uses industrial-scale biochemical processes driven by enzymes to ‘eat’ carbon emissions and produce textiles made from carbon-derived resources. Cell-free biocatalysis used in its patent-pending technology absorbs CO2 from manufacturing facility waste streams and transforms it into cellulose. After being converted, the cellulose is used to make lyocell yarn, which can be used to make garments and other items while using zero waste to convert all of the CO2 necessary to make the final product.
