Marimekko fashion show includes dress knitted out of birch cellulose fibre
14.03.2014
The surface of the ready textile has a dim glow and it is pleasing to the touch.
The first garment made out of birch cellulose fibre using the Ioncell method is displayed at a fashion show of the design company Marimekko in Finland on 13 March. The Ioncell method, which was developed by researchers at Aalto University, is an environmentally friendly alternative to cotton in textile production. The dress produced for Marimekko is a significant step forward in the development of fibre for industrial production.
Researchers were looking for new alternatives to cotton, because demand for textile fibres is expected to nearly double by 2030. The raw material for the Ioncell fibre is a birch-based pulp from Finnish pulp mills. Growing birch wood does not require artificial irrigation, for instance.
The production method for Ioncell has been developed by Professor Herbert Sixta's research group. The method is based on a liquid salt (ionic liquid) developed under the guidance of Professor Ilkka Kilpeläinen which is a very efficient cellulose solvent. The fibres derived from it are carded and spun to yarns at the Textile University of Börås in Sweden.
‒ We made a breakthrough in the development of the method about a year ago. Progress has been rapid since then. Production of the fibre and the thread is still a cumbersome process, but we have managed to triple the amount of fibre that is produced in six months. The quality has also improved: the fibers are stronger and of more even quality, Professor Sixta says with satisfaction.
The surface of the ready textile has a dim glow and it is pleasing to the touch. According to Sixta, because of its strength, the strength properties of the Ioncell fibre are equal or even better than other pulp-based fibres on the market. The fibres are even stronger than cotton and viscose.
‒ If everything goes well, it will be possible to produce Ioncell fibre on an industrial scale in 3-5 years. Before that the process needs to be developed in such a way that the solvents that are used are completely recovered. This is an absolute necessity from the point of view of economic profitability and that of the environment, Sixta says.
Marimekko started cooperation with Aalto University
The Finnish textile and clothing design company Marimekko became inspired by the new fibre at an event organised by the Finnish Bioeconomy Cluster FIBIC, which coordinates bioeconomy research, and immediately got in touch with Professor Herbert Sixta at Aalto University.
‒ Marimekko wanted to know if we can produce enough material for a dress. Cooperation with the company went very well, Sixta says.
‒ We monitor product development for materials closely in order to be able to offer our customers new and more ecological alternatives. It was a wonderful opportunity to be able to join this Aalto University development project at such an early stage. Fibre made from birch pulp seems to be a promising material by virtue of its durability and other characteristics, and we hope that we will soon be able to utilise this new material in our collections, says Noora Niinikoski, Head of Fashion at Marimekko.
Further information:
Professor Herbert Sixta
Aalto University School of Chemical Technology
+358 50 384 1764
herbert.sixta [at] aalto [dot] fi
Professor Ilkka Kilpeläinen
University of Helsinki Department of Chemistry
+358 50 5181148
ilkka.kilpelainen [at] helsinki [dot] fi
PR Manager
Merja Paulamäki
Marimekko
+358 9 758 7473
merja.paulamaki [at] marimekko [dot] com