Key facts
Sectors covered: Technology innovation in textile and clothing
Innovation priority: Smart, high-performance materials
Start: 2020
ELIIT funding: €70 000
Nanocork is a new bio-denim finish that can be used for garments and textiles, using leftovers from the production of cork stoppers.
A key step in upcycling cork waste is “micronebulisation”, in which the cork particles, along with other bio-based products and natural pigments, are nebulised to create a mist that envelops the support garment or fabric, gradually penetrating its fibres. This can achieve bio-denim effects using only vegetable raw materials, achieving a worn effect without adding toxic products.
The production process yields significant savings in water and chemicals, as minimal water is needed for the particles to penetrate the fibres. Enough cork solution is appliedfor the garments to absorb it without leaving any waste. The process additionally creates important savings in textiles, as it allows for the production of ad hoc garments. Dyes can also be added without producing more than needed, thereby avoiding overproduction.
What's the goal?
This project aims to adjust and scale up its technology to provide a new generation of fabrics and garments made from renewable resources and waste from the cork industry. To achieve this, it will improve the composition of the cork finish for nebulisation, and customise the ECOFinish device to adapt it to the size of the cork particles.
Key challenges
The project will need to test the product’s resistance to washing and rubbing. It will also be necessary to design a production process that can be scaled up to industrial level, along with a technique to increase the concentration of particles in certain parts of the garment. For example, to protect - the inner part in contact with the skin. Expanding the production technique with different fabrics and colours will also be necessary.
How has ELIIT helped?
Thanks to ELIIT support, the design company Lèbiu will be ready to market the new finish and receive royalties from the compound, using an innovative technology to produce bio-denim clothes.
Meet the partners
Lèbiu is a young Italian company based in Sardinia. An innovative start-up that cares about the environment, it produces materials in line with human and environmental needs. It reuses waste from the cork industry in a circular approach to create new bio-material for garments, shoes, accessories, and furniture that can be used in the fashion and design industries.
The Spanish company Care Applications, established in early 2015, was born out of a passion for creating a business that cares about the product, the environment and the customer. It develops unique technologies for the garment processing industry, which optimise existing garment washing and dyeing machinery to make them more sustainable. Existing machines are recycled, and training on more sustainable processes is provided.
SME: Lèbiu
Country: Italy
Founded: 2020
Tech provider: Care Applications
Country: Spain
Founded: 2015