According to a recent consumer study of sweater lovers conducted by Eastman consumers want sweaters that are: “soft, comfortable, stylish, and versatile”. However, when sweaters appear and feel differently after being worn and washed, customers are extremely unhappy. Choosing fibers and materials that deliver comfort, quality and ease of care is essential to win over consumers. These are now made worse by the constant desire for a sustainable paradigm among consumers.

Solutions offered by “Naia” fibers

The goal of “Naia” from Eastman is to provide a portfolio of fibres that don't sacrifice quality, comfort, or garment care, making sustainable fashion inclusive for all consumers and accessible to companies. The results of soft and cosy blends between the versatile “Naia” fibers and other materials can be appreciated for example in the collections of Naadam and The Gap, which this year presented its third collection of men's sweaters blended with “Naia” and cotton. The results are designs that accommodate four seasons of comfortable wearing made possible by the distinctive cross section of “Naia” staple fibers.

Brands who use “Naia” blended knits in their collections are choosing not only a verified and circular supply chain, but also a sustainable ingredient: all cellulosic fiber is produced using a secure, closed-loop method in which solvents are recycled back into the system for reuse. The fibers are Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and TÜV Austria certified. They are biodegradable in the ocean, too, as published in a study from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI).

Sustainable style using “Naia Renew” staple fibers

By adding them to their mixtures, producers can create eco-conscious blends that are soft, quick drying, and reduce pilling. Therefore, they are ideal for T-shirts, casual wear, sweaters, comfy pants, and home textiles. Creating the same high-quality fabrics as traditional “Naia” fibers but with a reduced carbon footprint of about 35%, because they are made from 60% sustainably sourced wood pulp and 40% certified recycled waste materials – and it’s available at scale. This is why sweater yarns producers choose this ingredient to increase the sustainability of their production, as the innovative cellulosic acetate materials can be blended with cotton, modal, merino wool, recycled polyester, or multiple content fancy yarns. Even after numerous washings, products made with “Naia Renew” can maintain their shape and have good dimensional stability. Utilising a variety of yarn spinning techniques, versatile “Naia” denier sizes allow yarn spinners to create trendy yarn designs ideal for year-round basic fabrics.