The fashion industry accounts for 10% of annual CO2 emissions and produces massive amounts of waste that suffocates landfills, rivers and beaches around the world. Too much of the clothing we wear is made from petroleum-based fabrics like polyester. Tessa Callaghan Co-Founder and CEO keel lab, Named one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Leaders. Her contribution to plant-based fashion. An early-stage startup based in Morrisville, North Carolina, has developed a kelp-based alternative called Kelsun. According to the company, Kelsun is a compostable, soft natural fiber that can be integrated into clothing production systems without modification. The result is clothing that is as comfortable and durable as clothing made from moisture-rich cotton or oil-based fabrics.
Starting her career in the fashion industry, Tessa recognized the growing demand for sustainable alternatives to environmentally damaging clothing at all stages of the life cycle. Keel Labs converts kelp into Kelsun, and the resulting fibers are composted at the end of their useful life, making them a potentially circular material we can proudly wear. You can learn more about Keel Labs. https://www.keellabs.com/
Editor’s note: This episode originally aired on May 6, 2024.
