2.4.3 Algae-based biopolymer fibres

Algae-based materials use seaweed, microalgae or algae-derived compounds as renewable biological inputs. These materials can be used in different ways: as fibres, yarns, dyes, coatings, films, foams or biopolymer blends.

In textiles, algae-based innovation is often linked to alginate or seaweed-derived polymers. These can be processed into fibre-like materials or combined with other fibres to create fabrics. Some companies are also exploring algae-based dyes and pigments as alternatives to conventional colour chemistry.

Algae-based materials are interesting for circular fashion because algae can grow without agricultural land and can be connected to marine or aquatic biomass systems. They may also offer opportunities for lower-impact colouration, bio-based fibres and new material stories around water, oceans and regenerative resources.

Resource Insights:

These are pioneer companies in algae based materials:

  • Keel Labs— United States: Keel Labs’ Kelsun® is a bio-based, plastic-free fibre made from seaweed biopolymers for woven, knitted and nonwoven textile applications.
  • Algaeing — Israel: Algaeing develops renewable, algae-derived colourants for textiles, including Algadye™ for dyeing and Algaink™ for printing.
  • Living Ink Technologies — United States: Living Ink converts discarded algae biomass into ALGAE BLACK™ pigments and ALGAE INK™, replacing petroleum-derived carbon black in textile printing, footwear and other applications.
  • Origin by Ocean — Finland: Origin by Ocean refines invasive and farmed seaweed into ingredients such as OceanThix™ alginate, which can be used in textile-printing pastes, natural fibres and biodegradable materials.
  • SMARTFIBER / SEACELL™ — Germany: SMARTFIBER produces SEACELL™, a cellulose-based textile fibre containing approximately 19% brown seaweed for apparel, sportswear and interior textiles. Unlike Kelsun®, it is primarily a cellulosic fibre incorporating seaweed, rather than a fibre formed mainly from seaweed biopolymers.

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