Fashion Commission Unveils Innovative Red Sea Seaweed Textile At Misk Global Forum

The Fashion Commission has introduced the Red Sea Seaweed Project at the Misk Global Forum. This initiative showcases a new bio-textile made from Red Sea marine algae, developed into sustainable garments at The Lab, a studio led by the Fashion Commission. This project highlights the commission's dedication to sustainable materials and advancing the fashion ecosystem.

The innovative textile was created through collaboration between the Fashion Commission, KAUST, and PYRATEX. It combines scientific research with responsible resource use and advanced manufacturing to produce an eco-friendly fiber. KBD played a key role by responsibly harvesting Red Sea algae while preserving its bioactive properties.

During the "Fabric of the Future: Red Sea Seaweed Textile" panel at the Misk Global Forum, key figures discussed this material's scientific basis and development journey. Participants included Burak Çakmak, CEO of the Fashion Commission; Fiona Symes, COO of KAUST Beacon Development (KBD); and Regina Polanco, CEO of PYRATEX.

Fashion Commission CEO Burak Çakmak stated: "Launching this material marks a defining moment in our journey to build a future-ready sustainable fashion ecosystem. By transforming a local natural resource into a fully traceable, sustainable textile, we are demonstrating the power of science, creativity, and industry working together. This initiative proves that innovation rooted in the Kingdom can contribute meaningful solutions to the global fashion landscape".

Fiona Symes from KBD remarked: "This collaboration has allowed us to apply KAUST's marine algae research to a completely new sector for the Kingdom. By researching and analyzing the biochemical properties of Red Sea seaweed, we were able to support the integration of local algae species into an innovative blended yarn. Working jointly with PYRATEX and the Fashion Commission has allowed us to turn a local natural resource into a creative and viable textile ingredient. This is a powerful example of how KAUST's research capabilities can support sustainable economic opportunities for the Kingdom".

PYRATEX integrated seaweed biomass with Lyocell to create an innovative textile fiber. This fiber was spun and woven into fabric using Lyocell with algae additive and organic cotton. The resulting material is skin-friendly and offers full supply-chain transparency.

Future-Ready Sustainable Fashion

This fabric was used in garments manufactured at "The Lab," showcasing potential for turning local materials into wearable fashion within Saudi Arabia. The project underscores efforts to foster innovation and promote responsible fashion practices.

The Red Sea Seaweed Project exemplifies how science, technology, and creativity can drive advancements in sustainable textiles. As part of broader industry transformation efforts, this milestone marks only an initial step towards future innovations in bio-based materials.

With inputs from SPA