AltMat
AltMat uses a proprietary technology consisting of the combination of mechanical, chemical and enzymatic processes to produce Altag, an industrial fit natural fibre made of agricultural residues from food crops (for example, residual stems of hemp) sourced directly from farmers and hemp producers.
AltMat Fiber Club
The Altmat Fiber Club is a strategic initiative focused on fast-tracking the commercial adoption of Altag®, a high-value fiber derived from agricultural residue. By consolidating brand demand and streamlining the supply chain for agri-waste materials, this club supports the industry’s transition toward circularity and enables the scaling of next-generation sustainable alternatives.
In Conversation with AltMat: Natural fibre made from agricultural residue
The Fashion for Good team interviewed Almat’s founder, Shikha Shah, to learn more about the innovator’s story, technology, challenges, and successes and showcase innovations that are driving tangible change in the industry and leading the path to scale.
Why Fashion for Good is working with AltMat
By focusing on agri-residues of plants like hemp, pineapple, linseed and others, AltMat aims to not only provide a solution for the underutilisation of agricultural waste (which could otherwise be burnt in open air) but also achieve competitive economics and scale as an alternative material suitable for the textile industry.
Relevant Project
Fiber Club
Fiber Club is an umbrella initiative by Fashion for Good and selected innovators, aimed at enabling faster adoption of next-gen materials, through Innovator specific consortia that provide brands with early and simplified access to an innovator’s materials, secure supply terms, and seamless supply chain integration. By aggregating demand and standardising specifications, the program de-risks innovation for brands and suppliers alike, fostering the market validation necessary for innovators to secure long-term partnerships. Fiber Club aims to not only shift the cost structure but to help align brands in a very fragmented and competitive industry.
Agriwaste Natural Fibres
The aim of the project was to explore the use of agricultural residues to produce natural fibres, reducing reliance on conventional fibres like cotton. Building on the findings of the Laudes Foundation commissioned report ‘Spinning Future Threads’.
