Avantium, Casa da Malha and Lacatoni have created PEF-based yarn, fabric and sportswear prototypes, including a sports shirt.
The project tests plant-based, recyclable PEF in knitted performance apparel, relevant for brands assessing lower-impact material options.
The shirt is being shown at Milano Unica from July 7-9, 2026, with wider prototypes planned for stakeholders and consumers.
PEF is a plant-based, recyclable polyester alternative made from renewable feedstocks. The material offers an attractive combination of sustainability and performance characteristics, including excellent mechanical properties, making it a promising candidate for a variety of textile applications.
Casa da Malha is a Portuguese fabric knitting company specializing in premium circular knitted fabrics and innovative textile solutions. Driven by a commitment to sustainability and material innovation, the company continuously explores next-generation fibers and materials that can help reduce the environmental footprint of textile products. Lacatoni is a Portuguese sportswear brand and manufacturer that designs and supplies technical apparel, teamwear, and performance clothing for a wide range of sports. With a strong focus on innovation, functionality, and athlete comfort, Lacatoni works with sports clubs, federations, and teams in Portugal and internationally.
The partners developed a series of sportswear and textile prototypes incorporating PEF-based yarns and fabrics. Among the first tangible results of the collaboration is a prototype sports shirt developed by Casa da Malha for Lacatoni, demonstrating the potential of plant-based, recyclable PEF in performance apparel applications. The sports shirt prototype is being showcased at Milano Unica in Milan from 7–9 July 2026, one of Europe’s leading textile trade fairs, and forms part of a broader range of textile prototypes that will be presented to brands, manufacturers, industry stakeholders, and consumers.
Filipa Costa, Innovation & Sustainability Director of Casa da Malha, said: “This project allows us to work with a novel polymer and to translate its properties into knitted fabric constructions that meet the quality and performance standards expected by apparel brands. We are proud to contribute our textile expertise to this important step in material development.”
Belisa Rodrigues, CEO of Lacatoni, added: “Our customers increasingly expect sportswear to combine performance with responsible material choices. Through these prototypes, we can evaluate how next-generation materials such as PEF perform in real apparel applications and help inspire the market with new possibilities for sustainable sportswear.”
Laleh Maleki, Business Development Manager at Avantium, said: “We are excited to explore the potential of PEF in textiles together with leading partners across the value chain. Collaborations like this help accelerate the development of new, high-performance applications for renewable materials and bring them closer to commercial adoption.”
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ALCHEMPro News Desk
