Carbon negative textiles issued from marine materials

Abstract: Marine materials are a potential new raw source for the production of organic and vegan leather and cushioning materials. Being a carbon sink, seaweed and marine plants like seagrass and seaweed farming activity could have a crucial role in the current environmental crisis for the absorption of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Products extracted from brown and red seaweed can be used for the production of a variety of material categories. This study takes into account the potential of seaweed exploring through an experimental approach different paths for the development of new materials for the textile industry and compliant to the IKEA 2030 agenda. These new materials will be developed from an initial exploration of the known material sources (seaweed, seagrass and by-products, including alginate, fibers). The study will cover the first steps of material development, exploration and ideation through an experimental approach aimed to uncover the potentials of seaweed as future resources for textile production.