On a supply chain, that of fashion, in which increasing attention to the environment translates into the search for alternative sustainable fibers and fabrics, kapok, whose fiber is derived from the inedible fruit of a tree typical of subtropical areas, has been appearing for a few years now.
Long used in China and Indonesia to stuff pillows and mattresses, it has only in the last few years, thanks to technology, been able to spread on a large scale. The patent is from Flocus™: founded in 2016, it is the first company in the world to produce kapok fibers by making yarns, fabrics, padding, and nonwovens. Many brands use it for outerwear padding, compared to goose down.
The production of kapok leaves a very low ecological footprint: it is 100 percent natural, vegan and its cultivation requires no irrigation, pesticides or fertilizers. In addition, it has numerous properties that make this material suitable for multiple uses: products containing Flocus™ are comfortable, lightweight, hypoallergenic and soft to the touch but also have thermal and acoustic insulation qualities. A versatile natural, sustainable and renewable alternative for the textile industry.
