Output details

Ecological Issues and Solutions for British SMEs In The Clothing and Fashion Industry

Brief Description

Dillon investigated the technical manufacture of nettle fibre/fabric development. This research into ecological textile manufacture through environmental low impact regional co-operation was undertaken for Philippa Roberts, MD of Low & Behold Ltd. for the INDEX scheme which is funded by Advantage West Midlands, Economic and Social Research Council, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and European Regional Development Fund.

Dillon was commissioned to research textile alternatives that could be locally produced. The report was presented at Aston University. Dillon developed a business model to investigate nettle production as a non-food crop and provide a “local” supply, manufacture and distribution chain working collectively to reduce the impact the fashion and textile industry has on the environment.

Research Rationale

Dillon’s research proposed localised, collaborative manufacturing practice for a new textile with low environmental impact, considering: ecological options for UK textiles; cultivation of non-food crops; climate, growing conditions, location; low impact manufacturing processes; supply and distribution; consumer awareness/perception. The aim of the research was to

• raise awareness of the economic potential of non-food crops;

• Investigate local manufacturing cycles, increasing collaboration and regional growth;

• Investigate the cradle to cradle potential of locally produced organic fibres, specifically nettle

thus advancing the European development of ecological textile fibre production and manufacture.

Strategies Undertaken

An investigation into nettle as a low-impact textile suitable for T-shirt production, including:

• Research into the production of nettle crops and fibre for clothing with low environmental impact;

• Comparative life cycle assessment for T-shirts made of nettle/cotton respectively;

• Investigation into organic fibre options, indigenous to the UK as alternatives to nettle;

• Review of existing West European eco manufacturing from locally grown non-food crops and supply chains;

• Supply chain for nettle textile production