Changing an industry

New and sustainable industry standards won’t just pop up from nothing and from nowhere. It always starts with just an idea, a theory, a test. At NA‑KD we are always on the lookout for these ideas. Our flexible way of working makes it easy for us to partner up with smaller companies and entrepreneurs, maybe putting down their first order. Making them able to test their theories before they can scale them up for the rest of the industry.

On this page we have gathered a few innovations that we believe are worthy of some extra exposure. Some of these we are already working with today – others we hope to be working with in a sustainable tomorrow.

Shoes from apple waste

When life gives you apples… make trainers! Yeah, you read that right. Frumat‘s Apple Skin is a bio-based leather alternative created from the apple industry food waste. Mabel & Frumat developed this to answer both the local apple-waste issue and the growing demand for eco-friendly leather alternatives. With the help of Mabel & Frumat’s technology, we were able to create a range of sustainable sneakers.

Shoes from ocean plastic waste

Every year, over 22 million tons of plastics end up in the ocean. Zouri shoes decided to see this waste as a resource and do a little bit about it. We joined hands with Zouri and their shoes that are vegan, organic and with soles made from recycled ocean plastics. So far, Zouri has collected over 1000 kilos of trash from Portuguese beaches.

See them here

Swimwear from ocean plastics

A sporty swimwear collection and tops made out SEAQUAL® YARN. This is a high quality 100% post-consumer recycled polyester yarn containing approximatley 10% upcycled Marine Plastic from SEAQUAL INITIATIVE and 90% recycled PET plastics. Upcycled polyester stops plastic waste like PET bottles and fishing nets from littering our beaches, oceans and landfills. Examples of products can be found here and here.

Jeanologia

With Jeanologia, jeans are manufactured with up to 85% less chemicals in production, up to 98% less water use, and up to 79% less energy used.

To create a “used worn” look on the jeans, Jeanologia is using laser technology instead of traditional sandblasting, hand sanding and PP spray.

You can find examples of products here, here and here and here and here and here.

Using vegetable dyes

We recently started to work with vegetable dyed fabrics in Turkey. In this dying process, only waste from fruit and vegetable crops are used. Lemon, pomegranate, rose petals, lavender and walnut shells give colour to both denim and jersey.

The process requires 25% less water and creates an anti-allergenic garment. Check out these, and these, and these!

Turn to nature

Denim collection using natural clay-based dyes. Its more sustainable than the chemical processing of regular denim – using 70% less water and 35% less electricity. Plus, 100% of the waste water goes back to agriculture. Each item from the collection is made from at least 95% organic cotton and because the colours come from nature, they're skin-friendly without harsh chemicals. To view examples from this collection, have a look here.

Naia

Made from responsibly sourced pine and eucalyptus, in a closed loop with low-impact on the environment, Naia™ is a more sustainable option to polyester, nylon and viscose. Using wood pulp from sustainably managed forests and plantations, the process ensures that no protected forests are deforested. Naia™ is also certified biodegradable and compostable - making it easy for nature to break down. You can find some of our Naia™ products here, and here and here.

Upcycling materials to new fab products

We are currently working with different innovators to identify ways of upcycling textiles and different types of waste. Check out this, this and this product made from textile waste from production, instead of using new fabric.

PADDED JACKETS WITH SORONA

Bio-based Sorona® polymer is made from 37% plant-based ingredients. Sorona® polymer is made, in part, with annually renewable plant-based ingredients. Compared to nylon 6, the manufacturing of Sorona® polymer requires 30% less energy and results in 50% less greenhouse gas emissions. Whether a textile is made of 100% Sorona® polymer or is combined with other fibers, the end results are long-lasting performance and softness. Sorona® Aura insulation provides the same level of thermal resistance as premium branded polyester insulation in less filling by weight. Sorona® Aura insulation has a fill power 24% or higher than premium branded polyester insulation, providing a lighter, warmer garment with less filling. In our jackets, we combined the padding with 50% Sorona®️ Aura insulation and 50% recycled down.