Kelsun™
id card
Biopolymer alginate and naturally derived additives
composition
Cellulose
building blocks
Organic
material origin
Yarn
shape
6 – demonstrated in relevant environment
TRL
The team at Keel Labs is putting the focus back on to the ocean and on one of its most common tenants - algae - through their imaginative kelp derived solution for fibers.
Kelp, being one of the most regenerative organisms on the planet, is abundant in nature making it a great alternative to all of the many infamous conventional fibers littering the Earth.
Properties
Its biobased nature and components make the yarn fully biodegradable.
Naturally off-white in colour.
Toxin-free.
Can be dyed with natural pigments.
Fibers are strong and stretchable, making them viable to be spun by either man or machine!
Cyclability
Zero environmental harm - the ingredients are natural and treated with green chemistry.
Biodegradable.
APPLICATIONS
Fashion industry, in particular the fields of footwear, accessories and garments.
Other applications could consist of packaging and home furnishing inventions.
FOOTWEAR APPLICATIONS
Outsole
Production process
Alginate comes as a kelp extract, serving as a base for Kelsun during its production stage.
"Kelp derived biopolymer gets mixed up with water, binding the scraps of alginate together with natural additives and combining them into filaments awaiting further processing with green chemistry. A series of subsequent baths rinse and apply finish to the filaments prior to drying and spooling. The resulting material is then transformed into a staple fiber ready to begin the yarn spinning process."
Manufacturing facts
1kg/day
production time
Little to no waste production process.
They are careful to have more than 80% of kelp content in their products - nature overtake!
the factory
Behind the screen
products
Tessa Callaghan, Aaron Nesser & Aleksandra Gosiewski
founders
2017
Morrisville, North Carolina, USA
time & place
Fashion For Good
partnerships
