The global spandex market, valued at nearly $8 billion in December 2024, is expected to expand by 2% to 8% each year over the next decade. This growth, while beneficial for comfort, poses environmental challenges due to the petroleum-based fibers in stretch fabrics, which shed microplastics and are not biodegradable. Good Fibes, a startup from Tufts University and Argonne National Laboratory, is developing biodegradable textiles using silk elastin-like proteins (SELPs). These proteins, engineered from recombinant DNA, mimic the properties of silk and elastin, offering customizable strength and elasticity. The company has received a $200,000 grant from the US Department of Energy to explore nonwoven versions of their textiles, aiming for a softer, stretchier material. Despite challenges in scaling and durability, Good Fibes plans to commercialize their product within two years, with interest from major athletic apparel retailers.
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