Have you ever looked at the green pond scum in a park and thought, “Wow, that would make a great jumper”? Probably not! However, biochemical engineers are doing exactly that – turning algae into innovative sustainable fashion: bio-yarn. So, here’s everything you need to know:
What is Algae-Based Bio-Yarn?
Simply put, Algae-based bio-yarn is a textile thread made from the cellular components of seaweed and kelp instead of traditional fibers from plastics. It looks, feels, and knits just like regular yarn does whilst being more sustainable!
Why Do We Need It?
Right now, most of our clothes are made from polyester, which is literally just plastic spun into thread. Every time we wash them, they shed microplastics into our seas. Cotton isn’t much better, consuming thousands of litres of fresh water to make one T-shirt.
Algae solves both problems:
- It grows incredibly fast using only sunlight and seawater (no farmland or pesticides needed!).
- It absorbs massive amounts of Co2 while it grows.
- It is 100% biodegradable, meaning it returns to nature at the end of its life instead of sitting in a landfill.
How is it Made?
The transformation from beach slime to sustainable fashion goes like this:
- Harvesting. Wild or sustainably farmed kelp is gathered from the ocean.
- Extraction. Scientists extract a natural chain of molecules called alginate from the seaweed cells (they’re sugary!).
- Spinning. This alginate is then blended into a paste and pushed through an extruder (like a pasta maker with tiny holes).
- Curing. The extruded liquid paste passes through a specialised salt bath, which instantly solidifies it into a strong, stretchy, wearable thread!
By combining marine biology and textile engineering, scientists are proving that fashion doesn’t have to cost the Earth. Would you wear a jumper made from algae?
