Bio-Based Polyester Fiber Substitutes: From GWP to a More Comprehensive Environmental Analysis

The textile industry has lately started exploring the possibility of bio-sourcing for synthetics, notably polyester fiber, in effort to break from proven fossil-fuel dependency and decrease environmental impacts. Traditionally made out fossil-based polyethylene terephthalate polymer, can be functionally substituted with three bio-based alternatives: bio-polyester, polytrimethylene terephthalate, polylactic acid fibers. At present, however, there is a lack studies on effects such substitution. We, therefore, performed comparative, cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment conventional those substitutes featuring varying levels bio-content. impact was most recent version Environmental Footprint method including some adaptations—using carbon crediting different, distance-to-target weighting approach. Bio-sourced fibers are found cause higher burdens than polyester. Acidification, eutrophication, ecotoxicity, water, land use increase bio-content predominantly linked first generation feedstock (agriculture transport). results climate change vary adaptations, yet do not manage offset aforementioned deteriorations. In single scores, only nine perform comparably, while rest significantly worse incumbent fiber.