The global fashion industry is accelerating efforts to reduce its reliance on fossil-based materials. A new initiative by Fashion for Good signals a practical shift toward scaling biobased polyester through a mass balance approach.
The project, named the Mass Balance Demonstrator, focuses on implementing the mass balance attribution model for biomass-attributed PET in textiles. This approach allows renewable and fossil-based inputs to be mixed during production while ensuring that the renewable share is tracked, verified, and allocated through certified systems.
Polyester remains the most widely used fiber in apparel. However, fully biobased alternatives are still expensive and limited in supply. This creates a major barrier for brands aiming to reduce carbon emissions at scale.
The initiative brings together key players across the value chain. These include Indorama Ventures, Textile Exchange, UPM Biochemicals, and certification body ISCC.
Fashion brands such as Bestseller, On, and Beyond Yoga are also part of the project, highlighting growing commercial interest in biosynthetic materials. For many brands, polyester is still a key fiber by volume. This makes innovation in polyester critical for achieving near-term climate targets.
Four key focus areas
The project is structured around four strategic objectives:
- Producing biomass-attributed polyester resin and yarns with comparable performance
- Measuring full lifecycle emissions through a cradle-to-grave model
- Developing a scalable roadmap for industry adoption
- Supporting global standards and climate frameworks with verified data
For manufacturing hubs like Bangladesh, this development is significant. The country is heavily dependent on imported polyester and is under increasing pressure to decarbonize its supply chain.
Mass balance-based materials could offer a realistic entry point. Factories can continue using existing systems while gradually integrating certified renewable inputs. This reduces both cost pressure and operational disruption.
