CLIMATE ACTION WEEK: Will we soon see a breakthrough for “next-gen” man-made cellulosic textiles?

Nicole Rycroft from Canopy believes “next-gen” materials are to forests and climate as renewables are to fossil fuels and climate. Her organization’s strategy is to remove the incentive to cut down forests, especially endangered forests, which play a crucial role in climate action. According to Nicole, man-made cellulosic fibers are the third largest fiber type used in apparel (think rayon, modal, viscose, Lyocell) and they are derived from forest ecosystems. Canopy reports that 300 million trees are cut down every year to make viscose and rayon textiles, and the demand is growing quite aggressively. That is why Nicole and Canopy are working to foster low carbon circular alternatives to forest derived clothing or packaging. Nicole explains that clothing or packaging can be made from inputs that would otherwise be burned or landfilled and in conversation with Michael she outlines what she sees as a fast developing ecosystem that is on the verge of a breakthrough, not unlike what has happened in the EV and renewable energy spaces. They discuss the technologies, financing, companies and regions where a new next-gen economy is taking shape. 

“Next-gen materials are to forests and climate what renewables are to fossil fuels and climate.”

For more information about this podcast and our guest experts, or to listen to other Climate Action Week 2025 conversations, please visit: https://sustainablefashionacademy.org/stica/climate-action-week-2025/