Pangaia C-Fiber Range

Pangaia's C-Fiber is made from seaweed and eucalyptus via a closed-loop lyocell process / Source: Pangaia

AfricaAsiaC-FiberCottonEuropeLyocellNorth AmericaOceaniaPyratex SeacellSeaweedSouth AmericaTextiles

3 MINUTE READ

Jessica Harman

WHAT WE SAY:

Even if we cannot all afford Pangaia’s premium clothing, it is still one to watch and take inspiration from, thanks to its position at the intersection of materials science, high-impact design and compelling modern retail branding.

Its C-Fiber collection is no exception – putting a modern twist on lyocell by introducing a new, regenerative seaweed ingredient and then layering on a customer benefit with its innovative PPRMNT odour-killing treatment. It is always difficult to x-ray through the marketing to the facts, but we applaud Pangaia for its sheer innovation.

KEY FACTS:

Materials science company Pangaia has created its C-Fiber range of apparel using its innovative, trademarked C-Fiber material.
C-Fiber is a combination of highly renewable Icelandic Seaweed and FSC-certified eucalyptus, produced via a closed-loop Lyocell process. This makes the material water-saving and biodegradable.
As well as being made from C-Fiber, the collection is treated with PPRMNT, another trademarked innovation from Pangaia, which uses peppermint essential oil’s natural, antimicrobial properties to control odours and reduce the need to wash clothes as frequently.
Pangaia’s C-Fiber capsule collection of 100% C-Fiber garments was released at the start of 2021 alongside the launch of the fibre – the brand has continued to release items with C-Fiber blends since then.

Men's C-Fiber Pure Long Sleeve T-shirt in Black / Source: Pangaia

Women's C-Fiber Pure Long Sleeve T-shirt in Cobalt Blue / Source: Pangaia

DIVE DEEPER:

The seaweed used in C-Fiber is harvested from Iceland every four years, which allows for full regeneration between harvests. The seaweed also requires no fresh water during its growing phase.
The other main ingredient in the fibre is eucalyptus pulp. Eucalyptus grows rapidly, without irrigation or pesticides, making it another low-impact, regenerative feedstock. Pangaia sources from FSC-certified forests.
Pangaia’s PPRMNT treatment is sourced from the Mentha piperita plant, with the essential oil extracted by steaming, without the use of solvents.
Pangaia claims that the treatment has no impact on the garment’s colour or texture, while its antimicrobial properties neutralise odour-causing bacteria.
The PPRMNT treatment can last for up to 50 washes, significantly reducing the in-use water consumption metrics related to the garment.
In many cases, the fabrics used in the C-Fiber range are made from a blend of C-Fiber and other fibres, such as organic Cotton. Pangaia have categorised its fibre usage into three categories – Pure is made from 100% C-Fiber and offers a silky smooth feel; Fusion is created with 54% of the fibre and offers a soft and fuzzy feel; the lowest percentage of the fibre used in the collection, at 20%, provides a cotton handfeel.
Styles within the C-Fiber range initially included t-shirts, dresses and terry styles, however, the fibre has since been rolled out across a wider range of other garments, from activewear to pyjamas.

"Our trademark technology C-Fiber combines wood pulp and seaweed powder from SeaCell to create problem-solving science you can wear. The resulting fabric is water-saving and biobased."

Pangaia

Key Design Considerations:

Functional as well as sustainable

Some producers of seaweed-based fabrics, such as Pyratex Seacell, promote its antioxidant benefits, so it is interesting that Pangaia steers away from this, instead promoting the functional benefits of its antimicrobial PPRMNT treatment. The wider point is that when considering novel fibres, can you offer functional benefits as well as sustainable ones?

Consider your market

Pangaia is a high-end brand with premium prices to match. Selling USD 70 t-shirts gives a brand some room to absorb materials with prices significantly above more ‘traditional’ materials such as organic cotton. If you are aiming at a more mass-market price point, C-Fiber may not be the right fibre for you, yet.

Accessibility

While Pangaia talks about licensing its materials through its B2B channel, little information about this is available and we have not seen in-market examples of other brands releasing products with Pangaia’s trademarked materials yet.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

C-Fiber

MATERIAL

Pangaia’s regenerative seaweed and eucalyptus-based lyocell fibre for the fashion industry.

Vollebak Black Algae T-Shirt

A pioneering, carbon sequestering black t-shirt made with algae

A nature-inspired reboot with modularity at its core

CirCot

Cotton

INSPIRATION
3M read

Everywhere Apparel Blanks

B2B blank garments made from recycled cotton

Pangaia C-Fiber Range

WHAT WE SAY:

Even if we cannot all afford Pangaia’s premium clothing, it is still one to watch and take inspiration from, thanks to its position at the intersection of materials science, high-impact design and compelling modern retail branding.

KEY FACTS:

DIVE DEEPER:

The seaweed used in C-Fiber is harvested from Iceland every four years, which allows for full regeneration between harvests. The seaweed also requires no fresh water during its growing phase.

The other main ingredient in the fibre is eucalyptus pulp. Eucalyptus grows rapidly, without irrigation or pesticides, making it another low-impact, regenerative feedstock. Pangaia sources from FSC-certified forests.

Pangaia’s PPRMNT treatment is sourced from the Mentha piperita plant, with the essential oil extracted by steaming, without the use of solvents.

Pangaia claims that the treatment has no impact on the garment’s colour or texture, while its antimicrobial properties neutralise odour-causing bacteria.

The PPRMNT treatment can last for up to 50 washes, significantly reducing the in-use water consumption metrics related to the garment.

Styles within the C-Fiber range initially included t-shirts, dresses and terry styles, however, the fibre has since been rolled out across a wider range of other garments, from activewear to pyjamas.

Pangaia

Key Design Considerations:

Functional as well as sustainable

Consider your market

Accessibility

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: