Straw fibers hold promise for use in clothing.
2014-11-12
Business Society, August 23 — At the recently held High-Level Forum on Climate Change and Low-Carbon Textiles, several experts suggested that, with the development of new technologies, it may be possible within five years to wear low-carbon clothing made from fibers derived from materials such as straw.
Against the backdrop of climate change, processing textiles from bio‑based fibers not only saves energy but also significantly reduces carbon dioxide emissions. At the forum, experts noted that producing a standard large‑size men’s white T‑shirt via conventional methods generates 6.5 kilograms of CO₂, whereas using biomass feedstocks cuts emissions to just one‑tenth of that level. Reportedly, domestic researchers are exploring the extraction of fibers from agricultural residues such as straw and from duckweed, which contributes to water pollution. Meanwhile, abroad, pre‑treatment technologies for converting straw into fiber are maturing, with demonstration plants already in operation. China anticipates making breakthroughs within the next five years and achieving industrial-scale production within a decade.
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