Paradise Textiles, the material science arm of global end-to-end textile company Alpine Group , has teamed up with biotechnology company Nanollose to develop and commercialize Nullarbor tree-free cellulose fibers, made through an innovative process of microbial fermentation.
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Under the agreement, Paradise Textiles will work with Nanollose to take on the research, development and manufacturing of yarns and fabrics using the company’s signature innovation. An alternative to wood-pulp-based cellulosic fibers , Nullarbor is created through a process that converts industrial and agricultural waste products into rayon fibers using minimal land, water and energy resources.
The new agreement builds on the existing partnership between Paradise Textiles and Nanollose. Since 2022, Nanollose has provided 135 kg. of Nullabor-20 fibers to Paradise Textiles to be converted into yarns and textiles for apparel production. The successful completion of that initial program led to the current agreement.
“I’m delighted to see this collaboration begin to formalize in a way that establishes a framework for both companies to achieve a commercial outcome,” said Wayne Best, executive chairman of Nanollose. “The relationship has been growing organically for some time, and we’ve been delighted with the enthusiasm Paradise Textiles has displayed for our technology and fibers.”
As part of the agreement, Paradise Textiles will promote the Nullarbor brand and its fibers and fabrics to potential clients. Paradise Textiles’ parent company Alpine Group has worked with a number of fashion brands, including The North Face , American Eagle Outfitters, Under Armour and Gap, Inc.
“Nullarbor fiber’s unique properties and production process will enable us to offer our customers high-performance, sustainable textile solutions,” said Ashok Mahtani, co-chairman of Alpine Group. “We are confident that this partnership will drive significant advancements in the textile industry and help towards achieving our goal of making fashion fit for the future.”
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The Nanollose partnership represents just one aspect of Alpine Group’s efforts toward improving sustainability in textiles and apparel. Last year, the company joined sustainability platform Fashion for Good as an affiliate innovation partner, building on Paradise Textiles’ participation in the nonprofit’s pilot to develop and scale a black dope dye derived from industrial carbon emissions and wood and algae waste.
And Alpine Group’s Alex Apparels—which was ranked the No. 1 apparel exporter for 2021-2022 by the Export Council of Egypt—opened a gold Leed-certified facility in Alexandria, Egypt, in 2022. The company used environmentally friendly materials such as “green” concrete, which requires 25 percent less water than conventional concrete, to build the facility.
Nanollose filed a joint patent for Nullarbor in 2021 along with strategic partner Birla Cellulose, whose pilot production facilities in India have allowed the company to complete three successful pilot production runs. Nullarbor fibers have been converted into yarns, fabrics and garments for testing. Best said the partnership with Paradise Textiles will allow Nanollose to take their product development to the next level.
“[Paradise Textiles’] expertise, commitment to sustainability and innovation, and customer base is a natural fit for our Nullarbor fibre technology,” he said. “It has proven to be a strong working relationship to date, and I look forward to the joint pursuit of our commercial goals through this strategic joint venture agreement.”
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