Seaweed fabric, also known as Kelsun™, is an innovative, bio-based material that feels similar to common yarns but it has a significantly smaller environmental footprint. Developed by Keel Labs, Kelsun™ uses a biopolymer derived from seaweed to create a luxurious yet eco-friendly fibre, offering an exciting alternative to traditional textiles.
Seaweed is remarkably versatile, resilient and has wide-ranging ecological benefits. As it grows, it absorbs carbon dioxide from the ocean, actively combatting climate change.
Unlike conventional crops, seaweed doesn’t need arable land, pesticides or fertilizers, making it an exceptionally sustainable resource. Its rapid regeneration makes it an ideal material for addressing the environmental impacts of mass textile production.
How is seaweed made into fabric?
The process of turning seaweed into fabric starts by harvesting and extracting the biopolymer from the seaweed. This biopolymer is then mixed with non-toxic additives and water to form a solution. Through this process, polymer chains link to create thousands of fine filaments. These filaments are stretched, rinsed, finished, dried, and spun into spools of Kelsun™ fabric.
What makes seaweed a sustainable material?
Each year, up to 500,000 tonnes of microplastics from textiles enter our oceans, wreaking havoc on marine life, ecosystems and even human health. This is where seaweed offers a compelling alternative–it can prevent the need for these microplastics and it is one of the most efficient carbon sequesters around. Just as trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air, kelp absorbs CO2 from the ocean. Seaweed grows using only the renewable resources found in the ocean, which means its cultivation has minimal environmental impact.
Keel Labs has designed its seaweed-harvesting process to use clean, non-toxic inputs and outputs, ensuring that the ecological footprint remains as small as possible while maximizing positive impacts. Kelsun™ is produced using no pesticides and 70% less water than traditional textile production, making it an excellent alternative to synthetics. Additionally, Kelsun™ is highly compostable, taking just 61 days to decompose, meaning it does not contribute to landfill.
Seaweed in fashion: taking steps towards a sustainable future
Seaweed fabric is already making waves in the fashion world. In 2024, designer Stella McCartney showcased Kelsun™ on the runway, highlighting its potential as a next-generation material. Her collection included two intricately crocheted Kelsun™ garments, decorated with platinum mirrors and flowing loose threads. The ecru-colored pieces showcased the beauty of seaweed fabric and raised awareness of the urgent need for sustainable materials in fashion.
Kelsun™ is a great example of how innovation can shift the tide away from harmful synthetics and toward a more sustainable, regenerative future. As the fashion industry increasingly embraces alternatives like seaweed fabric, the potential for a cleaner, greener world grows ever more promising.
Pictured: Kelsun™ on the Stella McCartney runway & editorial shoot
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