SG Innovate + Sinergy

BIOFABRICATION: INTRODUCING SUSTAINABLE BIOMATERIALS

ABSTRACT:

Most of the focus of sustainable manufacturing is on reducing the use of disposables and single-use-plastics. However, what if sustainability starts at the production and not the consumption stage? Another form of waste that tends to be overlooked is during the production of materials. A report by Forbes stated that the apparel and textile industry produces 10% of global carbon emissions and is the second-largest polluter in the world after oil. In particular, the leather industry has been categorised as one of the highest polluting industries due to its high waste production in the forms of solid waste from leather production processes and sludge from tannery wastewater treatment.

To tackle this, new developments in the materials industry has allowed for new, sustainable next-gen materials to be bioengineered through biofabrication. New techniques such as fermentation, mycelial growth, and more have been developed, allowing for the sustainable production of these next-gen materials. These technological advancements have the potential to revolutionise and disrupt the textiles industry as not only can they produce more sustainable biomaterials, but they can do so in an efficient manner as well.

Join us as we hear from startups and other key thought leaders in this space as they explore the latest developments in sustainable biomaterials through biofabrication and how this has the potential to change the textile industry.