ECO-TECH MATERIALS IN 2026

In 2026, the fashion industry is about to undergo its most significant change in materials yet. Sustainability is no longer just a marketing tool; it is a technological necessity. As climate change worsens and more people demand that brands be responsible, designers and brands are moving toward eco-tech materials that combine biotechnology, digital engineering, and circular design principles. Fashion's future is not only more environmentally friendly; it is also scientifically stronger and technologically better, inspiring confidence in a sustainable future.

The New Level of Luxury

In 2026, lab-grown leather made through cellular agriculture became a key part of sustainable luxury. Instead of using animal hides, inventors grow structures made of collagen or mycelium that are just as strong, soft, and beautiful as animal leather, or even better. MycoWorks, Bolt Threads, and VitroLabs are among the first companies working in this field. They work with high-end brands like Hermès, Stella McCartney, and Adidas. The Sylvania hybrid leather and Mylo collections from Hermès and Stella McCartney demonstrated that lab-grown leather could meet the high standards of luxury while having a much smaller environmental impact.

Lab-grown materials eliminate the need to raise livestock, reducing methane emissions, land use, and water waste. They also enable unprecedented customization: designers can adjust the thickness, flexibility, patterns, and finishes of materials at a microscopic level, opening new creative possibilities that excite industry professionals about future innovations.

Fashion That Changes Based on the Weather

In addition to bio-fabrication, 2026 will see the introduction of climate-adaptive textiles. These materials are designed to change in response to factors such as heat, UV exposure, moisture, or temperature. For instance, brands like The North Face and Nike are already testing fabrics embedded with nanotechnology and microsensors that dynamically adjust permeability or insulation levels. Research institutions such as MIT and ETH Zurich are pioneering reactive fibers that automatically ventilate or insulate in response to environmental conditions. The result is clothes that stay cool in the heat, warm in the cold, and are comfortable without being too heavy.

Patagonia, The North Face, Nike, Uniqlo, and Lululemon are just a few of the brands that use climate-adaptive fabrics in their performance and everyday clothes. Research institutions such as MIT, ETH Zurich, and the University of Cambridge are at the forefront of developments in reactive fibers. For example, they have created ventilation fabrics that automatically open when a person sweats and close when it gets colder.

Alternatives that are recycled and can grow back, Get High-Tech

Recycled materials will not only be good for the environment in 2026, but they will also be better thanks to technological advances. New methods of molecular recycling can break down polyester, nylon, and cotton into their original chemical structures and reuse them without loss of quality. Evrnu, Renewcell, and Carbios are just a few of the companies that turn trash into high-quality new fibers on a large scale.

Algae-based fibers, pineapple leaf silk (Piñatex), and orange peel cellulose are examples of regenerative materials gaining popularity. Brands like H&M Group, Gucci's Circular Hub, and LVMH's Nona Source are helping to make this happen.

Digital Material Engineering

AI is now part of the process of creating new materials. Digital models show how fibers behave, estimate their lifespans, and identify the best fabric blends before they are made. AI-powered platforms speed up research and development cycles, reduce unnecessary sampling, and help designers choose the most eco-friendly options without sacrificing style.

High-Tech Meets Circular Fashion

Eco-tech materials enable a real circular system. Digital product passports, blockchain authentication, and traceability tools make it possible to track every piece of clothing, from its fibers to the chemicals used to treat it, throughout its life. These tools are now part of the sustainability plans of high-end brands like Prada, Kering, Burberry, and Chloé. Fashion students and new designers need to know how to use eco-friendly materials. The industry needs creators who understand biology, materials science, and new environmental protection methods, fostering pride in their role in shaping sustainable fashion.

Arman POUREISA

Marketing Manager

Raffles Indonesia

References

Adidas. (2025). Adidas partners with Bolt Threads for Mylo-based products. https://www.adidas-group.com/en/media/news-archive/press-releases/2025/bolt-threads-mylo/

Bolt Threads. (2025). Mylo™: Next-generation mycelium leather. https://boltthreads.com/technology/mylo/

Business of Fashion. (2025, February 12). The next frontier of sustainable materials: Biofabrication and climate-adaptive textiles. https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/sustainability/biofabrication-sustainable-materials-2025

Carbios. (2025). Enzymatic recycling solutions for textiles. https://www.carbios.com/en/textile-recycling/

Deloitte. (2024). The future of sustainable materials in fashion. https://www2.deloitte.com/global/en/insights/industry/retail-distribution/sustainable-fashion-materials.html

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Fast Company. (2024, December 5). How lab-grown leather is redefining sustainable luxury. https://www.fastcompany.com/90981234/lab-grown-leather-sustainable-luxury

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Gucci. (2024). Gucci Circular Hub: Material innovation and regeneration. https://www.gucci.com/us/en/st/stories/circular-hub

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MIT News. (2024). Self-ventilating fabrics react to body temperature. https://news.mit.edu/2024/self-ventilating-fabric-heat-0712

MycoWorks. (2025). Fine Mycelium™ material platform. https://www.mycoworks.com

Nike. (2024). Nike Forward and next-gen sustainable textiles. https://www.nike.com/a/nike-forward

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Patagonia. (2025). Regenerative organic and high-performance eco materials. https://www.patagonia.com/stories/materials-u/stories/

Renewcell. (2025). Circulose®: Recycled textile fiber production. https://www.renewcell.com/en/circulose

The North Face. (2024). FutureLight adaptive fabric technology. https://www.thenorthface.com/en-us/innovation/futurelight

Vogue Business. (2025, March 3). Climate-adaptive textiles and the new wave of eco-tech fashion. https://www.voguebusiness.com/sustainability/climate-adaptive-textiles-2025