Kintra Fibers
The circular material is a proprietary bio-based and biodegradable polyester.
Production process
Kintra resins and yarn utilize the same standard equipment required to make PET.
The production process incorporates bio-based material from the outset and converts it into resins and yarn.
Material properties
Kintra's polyester is as strong as PET with a similar tenacity, and it is also 10X softer and has a 10-15% stretch recovery. These properties render the material ultra-soft, comfortably stretchable, yet durable.
It finds its applications in athletic wear, athleisure, and ready-to-wear. Kintra Fibers has prototyped a variety of knit and woven fabric constructions using filament yarns.
Availability
Made in the USA. Planning to scale up commercially in 2024.
Circular features
Unlike conventional polyester, which requires fossil fuels, Kintra Polyester uses 100% bio-based inputs. A preliminary Cradle-to-Gate LCA of Kintra’s raw material and resin production process showcased a 95% reduction in emissions compared to traditional polyester.
The yarns passed the ASTM D6400 / ISO 14855-1 tests for aerobic biodegradation in controlled compost conditions, which makes them biodegradable in aerobic conditions. Thus it is viewed with the potential to alleviate microfibre pollution in wastewater treatment facilities.
The manufacturing uses the same machinery required in polyester production, thus seamlessly integrating Kintra Fibers into the existing supply chains. Moreover, the resin and yarn production is at low temperatures, which reduces the related manufacturing emissions. The preliminary LCA for resin production showed a marked 20% decrease in energy in comparison to PET resin.
Raw Materials
- First-generation bio-based feedstock
Afterlife Plan
- Biodegradable
- Compostable (Industrial)
- Recyclable (Industrial)