In the guide below, we list and discuss some of the potential pros and cons of natural fibres.
It complements our separate guide on the potential pros and cons of synthetic fibres.
Summary – Pros & Cons Of Natural Fibres
Firstly, What Are Natural Fibres, & How Do They Compare To Other Types Of Fibres?
Potential Pros
Can Be Blended With Other Types Of Fibres
Can Come From Renewable Sources
Can Come From Non-Animal Derived Sources
Some Natural Animal Fibres Are Made With More Humane & Animals Friendly Practices
Can Have More Desirable Traits & Performance Than Some Synthetic Fibres In Some Instances
Can Sometimes Involve Mostly Mechanical Fibre Processing & Little Chemical Processing
Can Be Made According To Standards Are In Line With Specific Sustainability & Ethical Criteria
Natural Fibres Come In Both Short Staple Fibres, & Also Longer Fibres
Natural Fibres Can Be Important Economically & Socially
Potential Cons
Not Produced Or Consumed In The Quantities That Some Synthetic Fibres Are
Synthetic Fibres May Have More Desirable Traits & Performance In Some Instances
Can Come From Animal Derived Sources
Can Be Dependent On Certain Agricultural Variables That Might Impact Supply, Production & Other Factors
Can Involve The Unsustainable Use Of Resources, & Intensive Agricultural Practices
May Use GMOs
Can Sometimes Involve Heavier Chemical Processing
Some Natural & Organically Grown Natural Fibres Can Be Expensive
Some Question The Subsidies That Some Natural Fibres Might Receive In Some Countries
Other Notes
All fibres are produced by different brands and suppliers, and processed and used in textiles in different ways
Therefore, each individual fibre will have it’s own pros and cons, depending on variables to do with these aspects of fibres
The pros and cons in this guide are therefore generalized to an extent
Potential Pros Of Natural Fibres
Can Be Blended With Other Types Of Fibres
Natural fibres can be included in blends with other fibres to achieve desired traits in the end textile product
Cotton can be blended with polyester as one example
Can Come From Renewable Sources
Natural fibres tend to come from animal or plant based sources
Can Come From Non-Animal Derived Sources
Some natural fibres only come from vegetables, plants, grasses, wood, and other non animal derived sources
This might align with the ethics of those who believe in the use of non-animal derived products.
Some Natural Animal Fibres Are Made With More Humane & Animals Friendly Practices
For example, peace silk might be made with more humane practices than regular silk
Can Have More Desirable Traits & Performance Than Some Synthetic Fibres In Some Instances
Natural fibres have their own natural traits that synthetic fibres may not have
For example, some natural fibres are more absorbent, and more breathable than some synthetic fibres
These traits and the performance of the fibre can also impact what it can be used for in it’s end use applications
Can Sometimes Involve Mostly Mechanical Fibre Processing & Little Chemical Processing
Some fibres are either created from chemical reactions, or involve chemical processing, or both.
However, some natural fibres might come from a natural source, but mostly only involve mechanical fibre processing (instead of chemical processing).
Bamboo can be mechanically processed (instead of coming in the form of bamboo rayon), and so can linen and even jute.
Some cellulose fibres are also only processed as much as is needed to clean the fibre.
Can Be Made According To Standards Are In Line With Specific Sustainability & Ethical Criteria
One example is GOTS certified organic cotton
Natural Fibres Come In Both Short Staple Fibres, & Also Longer Fibres
But, there’s other natural fibre examples too.
Natural Fibres Can Be Important Economically & Socially
Potential Cons Of Natural Fibres
Not Produced Or Consumed In The Quantities That Some Synthetic Fibres Are
Synthetic fibres, and polyester are produced and consumed the most of all fibres
Cotton is most commonly produced natural fibre
Synthetic Fibres May Have More Desirable Traits & Performance In Some Instances
Some synthetic fibres can be more elastic, more water repellant, and easier to clean and care for than some natural fibres
Can Come From Animal Derived Sources
Some natural fibres come from animal derived sources, with wool from sheep (and other animals), and silk (from silkworms), being two examples.
This may not align with the ethics of some consumers who don’t believe in the use of animal derived products.
Can Be Dependent On Certain Agricultural Variables That Might Impact Supply, Production & Other Factors
Plants, grasses and other sources for natural fibres involve agriculture.
Because of this, these plants, grasses and other sources for natural fibres can be impacted by agricultural factors like weather, rainfall, and ultimately factors that can impact the end yield.
Yield impacts things such as revenue for farmers, and also supply/production of a particular fibre.
Can Involve The Unsustainable Use Of Resources, & Intensive Agricultural Practices
As one example, in some countries, cotton cultivation is responsible for:
– Significant water use via irrigation
– And, heavy use of agricultural chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers
Intensive farming practices of some plants, grasses and other agricultural products that produce natural fibres, may also contribute to issues like soil erosion
May Use GMOs
Cotton for example heavily relies in GMOs in some countries
The use of GMOs may not align with the beliefs of some consumers
Can Sometimes Involve Heavier Chemical Processing
Using the example of bamboo, there’s mechanically processed bamboo, and there’s also chemically processed bamboo rayon
The viscose process used for bamboo rayon has improved over time in some countries, but there’s still questions over some parts of the process in some countries
Some Natural & Organically Grown Natural Fibres Can Be Expensive
Some soya fibres grown organically without GMOs might be expensive
Comparatively, some polyesters are cheap to produce, and affordable for consumers
Some Question The Subsidies That Some Natural Fibres Might Receive In Some Countries
With one example being the subsidies that the cotton industry receives in some countries
Sources
1. Various ‘Better Meets Reality’ guides
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiber
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_fiber
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