Pros & Cons Of Synthetic Fibres (Advantages & Disadvantages)

In the guide below, we list and discuss some of the potential pros and cons of synthetic fibres.

It complements our separate guide on the potential pros and cons of natural fibres.

 

Summary – Pros & Cons Of Synthetic Fibres

Firstly, What Are Synthetic Fibres, & How Do They Compare To Other Types Of Fibres?

We outline what synthetic fibres are, and how they compare to natural fibres (and other types of fibres) in this guide.

 

Potential Pros

Can Be Blended With Other Types Of Fibres

More Commonly Produced & Used Than Natural Fibres 

Can Achieve Traits & Performance That Some Natural Fibres Might Not Be Able To 

Longer Synthetic Filament Fibres Might Have Benefits Over Some Shorter Natural Staple Fibres For Some Applications

Can Be More Affordable Than Some Natural Fibres

Recycled Synthetic Fibre Exists

Plant Based Polyester Fibre Exists

 

Potential Cons

Usually Comes From Fossil Fuels 

Some Natural Fibres May Have More Desirable Traits In Some Instances Than Synthetic Fibres

Tend To Always Involve The Use Of Chemicals At The Sourcing Stage

Can Have Other Sustainability Concerns

Even ‘Semi-Synthetic’ Fibres Aren’t Fully Natural 

Can Release Plastic Based Microfibers

Plant Based Polyester Might Have Drawbacks

 

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 Synthetic Fibres

Can Be Blended With Other Types Of Fibres

Synthetic fibres can be included in blends with other fibres to achieve desired traits in the end textile product

Polyester can be blended with cotton as one example

 

More Commonly Produced & Used Than Natural Fibres

Synthetic fibres are currently the most produced and most consumed fibre – more than natural fibres

Synthetic fibre production is also forecast to maintain or grow it’s market share in the future according to some reports.

Polyester is the most produced and consumed synthetic fibre.

Demand for polyester, the qualities and traits of polyester, and it’s affordability make it widely produced. 

 

Can Achieve Traits & Performance That Some Natural Fibres Might Not Be Able To

Synthetic fibres can be engineered/designed and manufactured for certain desirable properties 

As an example, some polyesters are more elastic, more water repellant, less prone to pilling and wrinkling, and easier to clean and maintain compared to some natural fibres 

Some synthetic fibres can also be made to be stronger than some natural fibres

These traits and the performance of the fibre can also impact what it can be used for in it’s end use applications

 

Longer Synthetic Filament Fibres Might Have Benefits Over Some Shorter Natural Staple Fibres For Some Applications

As one example, longer and smoother filaments fibres might be used in silkier items of clothing and silkier textiles compared to some short natural fibres

Having said this, some natural fibres (like flax/linen for example) have short and longer fibres.

 

Can Be More Affordable Than Some Natural Fibres

Some polyesters are cheap to produce, and affordable for consumers

In comparison, some natural fibres can be more expensive to produce, and therefore more expensive for consumers too

 

Recycled Synthetic Fibre Exists

Such as recycled polyester

 

Plant Based Polyester Fibre Exists

For example, toray.com mentions that in plant based polyester, molasses left over from processing sugar cane can partially replace petroleum

 

Potential Cons Of Synthetic Fibres

Usually Comes From Fossil Fuels 

Made from compounds derived from petrochemicals

Polyester is made from petroleum feedstock for example

Three considerations from this are:

Petrochemicals involve mining (instead of agriculture for growing plants, or rearing farming animals, that natural fibres might come from)

Petrochemicals are considered non-renewable

Synthetic fibres are impacted by supply issues and price changes with petrochemicals

 

Some Natural Fibres May Have More Desirable Traits In Some Instances Than Synthetic Fibres

For example, some natural fibres may have better absorbency and breathability than some synthetic fibres

 

Tend To Always Involve The Use Of Chemicals At The Sourcing Stage

Unlike natural fibres that can be grown and sourced from plants for example, synthetic fibres usually always require chemical reactions to make polymers before synthetic fibres can be created

 

Can Have Other Sustainability Concerns

We list some of the other potential sustainability concerns of some synthetic fibres in this guide

 

Even ‘Semi-Synthetic’ Fibres Aren’t Fully Natural

Semi-synthetic fibres come from plant based sources, but are modified by chemicals during the fibre forming or processing stage

 

Can Release Plastic Based Microfibers

Synthetic fibres are reported to be one of the key causes microplastics and microfibers in the environment

As one example, synthetic fibres can break off in the washing machine, and find their way into the environment via discharged waste water

 

Plant Based Polyester Might Have Potential Drawbacks

For example, plant based polyester might still currently:

– Come from 30% sugar cane, and 70% petroleum

– Cost more than petroleum based polyester

– Be less durable than regular polyester

 

 

Sources

1. Various ‘Better Meets Reality’ guides

2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthetic_fiber

3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiber

4. https://www.toray.com/global/sustainability/articles/vol02.html

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