Background: Nowadays textile is indispensable as textiles are used for many applications and in a broad range of sectors. Unfortunately, the textile industry is known to be the second most polluting industry. This industry produces 1.2 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions in one year, makes use of 80 billion cubic meters of water yearly and is responsible for water- and microplastic pollution. Major emissions can mainly be traced back to raw material usage and transportation for both synthetic (e.g. polyester) and natural fibers (e.g. wool). Therefore, there is a need for a sustainable alternative that will revolutionize the textile industry. The solution lies in human hair, since it possesses 95% of the same strong keratin fiber as wool. This way the strong properties of wool fabrics can be preserved, but without obsoletion & zero ecological footprint regarding raw material usage. Moreover, this waste stream is abundantly present, serving as an excellent feedstock. Therefore, human hair could bring the revolution in the textile industry in motion.

Objective and quality of the cooperation: The applicants, Human Material Loop (HML) and EE Exclusives, aim on co-developing textile fabrics made of human hair based yarn. These fabrics are not reliant on fossil fuel based fibers and therefore highly sustainable. This will be achieved by developing the keratin extraction and filament yarn- and weaving process which has not been researched yet for filament yarns. The resulting woven prototypes are applicable for a broad range of textile products when converted to a suitable fabric. Furthermore, HML and EE Exclusives are complementary to one another since the collaboration is necessary for the development of human hair based textiles. Through knowledge and expertise regarding material knowledge and yarn- and weaving processes, the parties are able to efficiently produce textile fabrics in the most sustainable way.

Technological innovation: There have already been many companies that wanted to bring the textile revolution in motion with so-called next generation materials. These materials are non-plastic and non-synthetic fabrics, and therefore serve as a sustainable and ethical alternative for current traditional fabrics. However, the big disadvantages are the capital intensive machinery and the lack of supply, increasing the cost price of these materials. In contrast, for the innovative product in this project, material developments are designed for already existing machinery. Moreover, the feedstock is abundantly present and readily available. Altogether, making this product the most circular solution, while retaining high performance qualities.

Economic value: If the applicants are able to realize the intended developments, the intended yields are high. After five years, the estimated yield is 410.000 euros. The developments within this project lead to a future long-term partnership for the applicants, where after the end of the project the knowledge and expertise will remain inside the consortium. Which in the future could lead to advanced projects. For the South Netherlands region, the activities contribute to entrepreneurship and stimulate the innovation and economy of the South Netherlands in this field of expertise. For end users, textile companies further down the chain, the innovative product will lead to a stronger competitive position. The innovative product will have the same strong quality as wool, but without animal cruelty. Moreover, it contains no chemicals and the fabric will receive ECO labels. Therefore, the sale of this product will attract customers who are eager to buy sustainable textile products.

Alignment with Knowledge and Innovation Agenda’s (KIA’s): The project has a large potential social impact, because the project results in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, water- and microplastic pollution and the human hair waste stream. The developments within this project are therefore specifically in line with three important KIA’s. Namely, KIA 1: Energy and Sustainability, KIA 5: Key Technologies and KIA 6: Social Earning Capacity.