PERFORMANCE DAYS

When temperatures rise, so do demands.
We expect functional apparel to stay fresh longer, through sport, travel and daily wear. Washing less matters too, saving water and energy while extending a garment’s life. Today’s materials move beyond antimicrobial finishes, using odor-absorbing yarns, bio-inspired solutions and intelligent fibers.
This is the next generation of odor control.

Algae, mycelium, and wood pulp are showing up in performance apparel!

Bio-based fibers are moving beyond the concept stage. In 2026, material managers and product developers are increasingly fielding requests for alternatives that combine performance with a verifiable low-impact profile.

Here’s what’s gaining traction:

Algae-derived yarns, natural UV resistance + moisture management, no arable land required;
Mycelium composites, lightweight, renewable, increasingly relevant in insulation and padding;
Closed-loop Lyocell (including bamboo variants), proven moisture control + strength, scalable supply chain.

The honest reality: most bio-based materials still come with tradeoffs in durability, cost, and certification coverage. But the gap is closing, and the mills that start sourcing relationships now will be better positioned when brand mandates arrive.

Which bio-based material are you watching most closely right now? Let us know in the comments!



We’re at Future Fabrics Expo this week, not only as visitors, but also with our own PERFORMANCE DAYS booth as part of an ongoing industry collaboration focused on circular textile innovation.
At the expo, we’re showcasing elements of our latest Focus Topic on Textile-to-Textile Recycling, highlighting key insights, innovators, and stakeholders shaping the future of circular textile systems.
Because real progress happens through exchange, collaboration, and strong industry connections.
If you’re at Future Fabrics Expo, come by today and tomorrow, connect with us, and continue the conversation around textile-to-textile recycling and circularity in practice