C-Fiber

Two models wearing Pangaia with C-Fiber fabric / Source: Pangaia

AfricaAnti-MicrobialAsiaBreathableC-FiberEuropeLightweightLyocellNorth AmericaOceaniaOdour ResistantRegenerativeSeaweedSouth AmericaTextiles

WHAT WE SAY:

Seaweed is often touted as a miracle material, but too often it languishes in the research lab. Which is why we have high hopes for Pangaia’s C-Fiber – a seaweed and lyocell-based material.

The resulting fabric is used in a range of products that are widely available on its website (albeit at a relatively high price). Even better is that the brand plans to license the material to other apparel makers, although we are yet to see that happen. Solve these pricing and distribution issues and this could be a material to watch.

C-Fiber

WHAT IS C-FIBER?

C-Fiber is a trademarked fibre developed by the materials science company Pangaia, created from a blend of eucalyptus pulp and Seaweed powder.
The fibre is a combination of Icelandic seaweed and FSC-certified eucalyptus, which is turned into a fibre via a closed-loop Lyocell process.
Launched at the start of 2021, Pangaia markets the material as water-saving, bio-based and 100% biodegradable.
Pangaia’s C-Fiber products are typically Cotton blends, with products including t-shirts, pyjamas, hoodies and activewear.

KEY PROPERTIES:

Anti-Microbial
Breathable
Lightweight
Odour Resistant
Regenerative

INDUSTRY:

Textiles

AVAILABILITY:

Commercially Available

DIVE DEEPER:

Pangaia is a materials science company which looks to create sustainable new materials, primarily for apparel.
Its C-Fiber material is positioned as a water-saving alternative to cotton, using regenerative raw materials that require few resources in both the growing and the manufacturing stages.
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.
Through mechanical processes, the eucalyptus pulp is turned into lyocell, which is a bio-based, man-made fibre. This closed-loop process recycles water and reuses up to 99% of the solvents used, creating very little waste.
Depending on how it is blended, C-Fiber can be used to create a range of feels, from silky and smooth to soft and fuzzy, making it suitable for a range of apparel – from intimates to sweatshirts. Pangaia's C-Fiber collection includes products with between 20% and 100% C-Fiber content.

Sources of C-Fiber / Source: Pangaia

Model wearing Pangaia with C-Fiber material / Source: Pangaia

KEY FACTS:

99%

Pangaia's closed-loop process recycles water and reuses up to 99% of the solvents used

4 years

The seaweed is harvested every four years to allow for regeneration between harvests

Key Questions to Ask:

What is the recipe for C-Fiber?

While a sustainable option, eucalyptus-based lyocell is widely used, but because Pangaia has not released details of the recipe behind C-Fiber it is hard to know how innovative this fibre really is. Is the seaweed component truly disruptive, or a convenient marketing element?

Where is the eucalyptus sourced from, and how is it turned into fibre?

Not all lyocell is produced equally. While it is encouraging that Pangaia uses FSC-certified sources, it doesn’t disclose who produces the lyocell fibre. Given the brand’s sustainability credentials, we would expect it to be a similarly minded producer such as Lenzing, but you should confirm this.

What properties can C-Fiber offer you?

Pangaia’s C-Fiber products range from 100% C-Fiber hoodies and pants to activewear and pyjama products with 20-30% C-Fiber blends. Consider the usage of your products and how the fibre aligns with this.

Can you get access to C-Fiber?

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.

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