Altag
Alttag by AltMat are natural fibres, yarns and fabric made from agricultural waste and biomass.
Production process
AltMat is an Alternative Materials company that went from Lab Research to Pilot Factory, and now it is an Industrial Scale Production. It uses materials science and sustainable proprietary processes to transform biomass of certain food, medicinal and industrial crops into natural fibres.
To make the Alt Yarns, fibres from food crop waste are blended with any desired materials like cotton, lyocell, recycled polyester, etc.
Altag fibres are also made using food crop waste fibre. Altag Fabrics are manufactured with the same ingredients.
No hazardous chemicals are used in the process. The by-products of this process contribute to bio-energy, biochemistry and packaging material.
Material properties
Renewable resources like agricultural residue and biomass are wasted and also burnt, only to cause more air pollution. AltMat converts biomass of food, medicinal and industrial crops into natural fibres.
The fibres used are natural and not regenerated fibres, as the latter uses massive amounts of chemicals, energy, and water.
The yarns and fibres are made from the waste of food crops like hemp oil seed, banana, pineapple, renewable feedstocks, etc. These yarns offered are of different counts and blends.
The material is naturally anti-bacterial and also preventive against sweat and odour. It possesses qualities of thermal along with sound insulation. It is breathable in summer and warm in winter.
It finds various applications in interiors, fashion, accessories, packaging and many non-woven applications.
Availability
India
Circular features
AltMat products utilize zero hazardous chemicals and very little water is used, all of which is treated and most is reused (<1/4 water used by cotton).
The products use zero to minimum pesticides and no microplastics. The workplace is socially inclusive for both factory workers and farmers. AltMat is well-rooted with its supply chain and can perform traceability.
Raw Materials
- Agricultural waste, i.e. biomass or secondary produce from plants that are primarily NOT grown for textiles or materials but are grown for other purposes like food, medicines, etc.
Afterlife Plan
- The material is recyclable in a closed loop and also biodegradable