Sportswear from corn-based textiles

A company from Indiana (appropriately enough) is among the latest to introduce an apparel line made entirely of from corn-based compounds... which its proponents say could give polyester a run for its money.

Engro, based in Indianapolis, is using fabric for its initial polo-style shirt, made from Ingeo, a new fiber developed by Cargill and Dow Chemical. Ingeo itself is made from polylactic acid, or polylactide, a new polymer made from corn intended to displace petrochemical-based polymers.

Polyesters and other common clothing fibers are made from petrochemicals.

Ingeo's makers tout that it can be used to produce clamshell food service containers and disposable cups, as well as a variety of clothing and consumer goods ranging from comforters, pillows, sleeping bags, to packaging and carpeting.

"It's soft - really", says model.

Yet, enviro-appeal aside, how comfortable could it be to wear a to-go container?

"It's soft to the touch, and the strength of the fiber itself, and the feel of the fabric can be changed or altered while it's still being manufactured," said Larry Grider, Engro CEO, who compared its feel and wicking properties to activewear made out of polypropylene, commonly known to sporty types as "polypro".

In addition to keeping its wearer dry and comfortable, advocates like Grider say clothing made from Ingeo offers many other benefits to those with active lifestyles.

For instance, Grider says the clothing he's making is wrinkle-free, won't shrink, washes in cold water, won't absorb odors, is soil and stain resistant, hypoallergenic, naturally antimicrobial, biodegradable, and won't fade, ever.

"Cotton comes only in white, and you have to dunk it in a hot soup to get what ever color you want. With this process, we put the dye directly into the material prior to it turning into fiber. So it does not fade."

"It’s the most comfortable, intelligent apparel you can own," Grider said.

Ingeo claims to be the world’s first and only ‘greenhouse neutral’ polymer, and its manufacturer says it requires 68 percent less fossil fuel to make than traditional synthetic textiles. And, unlike synthetics like polyester, the fabric itself is not based on petroleum, or as Grider put it to the Cleantech Group, "dinosaur juice."

"This is one of the most significant developments in the textile industry of our generation," said Grider. "This new fiber is made from a 100 percent renewable resource grown right here in our own backyard and everyone benefits…farmers, customers, everyone."

Engro unveiled its new corn-based polo shirt today at the Promotional Products Association International trade show in Las Vegas. The company, which doesn't yet have a web site, plans to introduce more shirts and an underwear line made of Ingeo in the future.

Dozens of other clothing manufacturers, including the popular Diesel brand, are experimenting with Ingeo fibers. Some have already introduced products.

Cleantech developments making news in the past 24 hours

• Qteros claims 15-fold improvements in cellulosic ethanol yield
• Solairedirect raises €20M to move into commercial solar
• Intel, Numonyx open $20M water treatment plant in Israel
• Booming data-center business creates troubles for India

View the last week of cleantech developments here | Subscribe to full feed