How many times have you discarded an orange peel without a second thought? Well, Italian challenger brand Orange Fiber is here to change that by weaving waste into wardrobe staples!
Orange Fiber was launched when its founder, Milan designer Adriana Santonocito, learned that the “pastazzo”, the remains of an orange after it’s juiced, accounts for 60% of the fruit’s weight, and a lot of waste. Unsatisfied with this level of agricultural waste, the designer set about finding a way to turn citrus into couture, resulting in an innovation that won the H&M Global Change Award.
To make fibres, orange waste is run through a patented chemical process to extract the cellulose. The cellulose is then spun, dyed, and printed to produce eco-friendly, biodegradable, vitamin-rich, and compostable plant wool – all while saving thousands of orange rinds from landfills.
Already, designers and brands are crushing on oranges. In a unique collaboration, Orange Fiber joined forces with Lenzing to create an Orange Fiber and Tencel™ collection, while H&M, E. Marinella and Salvatore Ferragamo have also embraced the innovation.
Orange fabric can be easily mixed with other fibres, such as lyocell and cotton, to make yarn for knits and even vegan silk for a smooth and shiny fabric.
Read more: Discover Crop Plant Wools
