MATERIAL

miDori bioWick

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A piece of fabric treated with miDori bioWick/ Source: Patagonia

Last updated: 8 Aug 2024

miDori bioWick is a revolutionary moisture-wicking treatment for textiles made from microalgae. A performance-enhancing solution for activewear powered by green chemistry.

Commercially Available

Garments from WNDR Alpine's Phase Series feature the algae coating / Source: WNDR Alpine

Algae oil / Source: Checkerspot

A fabric treated with the moisture-wicking agent / Source: Checkerspot

Beyond Surface Technologies uses green chemistry to produce its coating / Source: Beyond Surface Technologies

Isotrope Women's Longsleeve top from WNDR Alpine's Phase Series, treated with miDori bioWick / Source: WNDR Alpine

A sample bottle of microalgae oil / Source: Flo Schweighofer via WNDR Alpine

SNAPSHOT

miDori bioWick is the world's first petroleum-free textile coating engineered by Swiss company Beyond Surface Technologies. Made from microalgae oil, this 100% biobased finishing agent offers advanced cooling and moisture-wicking properties without compromising on competitive performance.

PROS

Regulates body temperature

Up to 8x lower carbon footprint than petroleum-based agents

Naturally biodegradable

CONS

Water and energy intensive

Best used on synthetic fabrics

miDori bioWick

Key properties:

Breathable / Moisture Barrier / Quick Dry / Regenerative / Wicking

Common uses:

Textiles

LIFE CYCLE

Sourcing

miDori bioWick is a bio-textile finishing technology designed for textiles, offering a wicking and drying finish for outdoor apparel.
It is manufactured and sold by Swiss green chemistry company Beyond Surface Technologies.
The pioneering formula uses Algae as its active ingredient, made from 100% microalgae oil extracted from dried microalgae biomass.
The GMO-free microalgae is grown and cultivated in a controlled and sealed environment.
The company formulates miDori bioWick using algal oil sourced from its partner, Californian biotechnology company Checkerspot.

Production

The 100% bio-carbon finishing agent is engineered through a process of green chemistry and does not require any additional chemicals for its formulation.
miDori bioWick is designed to be a 'plug-and-play' solution for textile finishes. It can be easily integrated into existing textile industry production processes and standards at mass scale without the need for adjustments.
The company states that miDori bioWick is compatible with a range of fibres, although it also states that it is suitable for synthetic fabrics.
The coating holds a number of certifications, including ECO PASSPORT Level 3, USDA Bio-Preferred 100% bio-carbon certified, and ZDHC Level 3.

In Use

miDori bioWick offers fast-drying properties and durability to the textiles it is applied to.
In cold climates, garments treated with a wicking coating allow the body to stay warm by keeping the fabric dry on the skin. In hot environments and during workouts, wicking technology cools the body by conducting sweat efficiently.
It pulls moisture away from the body and enables accelerated evaporation, cooling, and comfort without impeding on competitive performance.
miDori bioWick offers up to an 80% lower carbon footprint than conventional wicking finishes.
The 100% bio-based solution is ideal for the sportswear and outdoor apparel industry for use on technical garments.
Notable partners, such as outdoor clothing brand Patagonia and material science company Pangaia, apply miDori bioWick to treat their range of activewear.
In May 2023, outdoor brand WNDR Alpine launched its Phase Series, a five-piece activewear collection featuring miDori bioWick.

End of Life

Although miDori bioWick is naturally biodegradable due to its algae-based formula, its end-of-life scenario depends on the type of fabric it is applied to.
If it is applied to synthetic fabrics, it will still biodegrade in a natural environment, but toxic fibres will also be leached into the ecosystem.

HOW TO ACTION

1

Ditch synthetics

Opt for natural fabrics to ensure that your entire end product is free from harmful synthetics. A 100% biobased coating paired with a naturally biodegradable fibre like cotton or hemp ensures a safe end-of-life scenario.

2

Embrace collaboration

Find a willing collaborator to partner with and develop your own industry-first innovation. Beyond Surface Technologies' partnership with Checkerspot made miDori bioWick possible - co-solving is a sure-fire way to create the next solution businesses and brands are looking for.

3

Champion biomaterials

Algae is an emerging material that is proving its worth across multiple industries and use cases. As green chemistry and biotechnology models continue to grow, what other materials found in nature can you draw inspiration from to cancel out fossil fuels?