France tries to make sustainable clothes with tons of wasted milk

Looking at the composition label of a garment that interests us can be a good reflection to get an idea of ​​the garment’s breathability, durability and even biodegradability. If synthetic materials (such as polyester) have the advantage of being very cheap, their production and end of life pose ecological problems. On the other hand, natural materials such as cotton, wool or silk are much more expensive. Between the two, artificial materials, that is, chemically treated natural-based materials, remain little known to the general public. This is the case, for example, of viscose (based on wood cellulose) or lyocell (generally of eucalyptus cellulose). An innovation is entering the ranks of man-made materials: a milk-based woven textile fiber.

Recycle tons of wasted and discarded milk into sustainable clothing

The National Interprofessional Center for the Dairy Economy (Cniel) and the European Center for Innovative Textiles (CETI) are developing a new material from tons of unfit milk wasted every year in Francethe specialized media report Fashion network.

In fact, this innovation turns out to be nearly 90 years old. As early as the 1930s it was possible to obtain casein fibers (milk proteins) which could be woven so that they could be used like wool. However, this production, costly in ecological and financial terms, could not be implemented at that time. But today, technical progress makes it possible to exploit better and on a larger scale.

How to transform unfit milk into clothing?

The German company QMilch Gmbh has been trying since 2011, as well as the Italian company Duedilatte, launched in 2013. Each on his side, they are improving this process of recycling milk unsuitable for consumption in textile fiber of natural and biodegradable origin, which therefore it reduces waste. Enough for provide many brands in this material of the future which France now wants to develop on its soil. Every year France throws away 7.4 million liters of milk… which could thus become clothes.

The operation consists of isolate the casein, add an acid to eliminate the liquid part and let it dry until a powder is obtained which can then be spun. We can therefore design different textures, similar to wool, cotton or silk, which would have the advantage of being compostable, thermoregulatory, hypoallergenic and even flame retardant.

Some French brands are already doing this, also notes Fashion Network, which mentions the milk cotton panties Germaine des Prés and the latest collection of the designer Mossi Traoré. And the more companies there are to prove it, the more technology will be able to develop and become more democratic at more affordable prices. So, will dairy products remain friends in our wardrobe for life?

Front page photo credit: Screenshot of Mossi’s eshop.