What is unique/innovative about the products fabrication that makes it biodegrade?Updated a year ago
The main fabric is a blend of TENCEL™ and Merino wool (both of which are biodegradable fibres), and the construction is super fine 1x1 rib knit that is used to maintain garment shape, rather than an elastane blend (as used for other undies).
The Merino wools' natural crimp helps to allow the knit to retain its shape (it is the Merino in the blend, rather than the TENCEL™ that provides the fabric structure, with TENCEL™ providing a finer, soft hand-feel).
The unique innovation is partly this unique blend of outer pant fabrics, but the real innovation is the fabric combinations that create the absorbent layers and leak-proof fit needed for Modibodi underwear (the multiple layers and waterproofing this entails), while still being biodegradable at their end of life:
Most leak-proof undies | Our Biodegradable Pant |
Use a synthetic (non-bio) wicking top layer for the gusset. | Use 100% Merino wool (which forms part of our Modifier Technology ™ patent) wicking top layer for the gusset. |
Use a synthetic (non-bio) absorbent layer in the gusset. | Feature a 100% bamboo terry fabric absorbent layer in the gusset.
|
Have a polyester/plastic based waterproof layer as the bottom layer to protect from leaks. This does not breakdown. | Uses a biodegradable film made from a thermoplastic polymer, as the bottom layer to protect from leaks. This layer is proven to biodegrade within 3-5 years.
|
Most undies (not just leak-proof ones) | Our Biodegradable Pant |
Use nylon or polyester elastane blends in their elastics. | We have used a nylon yarn with enhanced biodegradability combined with standard elastane (non-biodegradable elastane makes up 11% of the waist elastic and 14% of the leg elastic, or less than 3% of the total garment). The enhanced biodegradable nylon used in our waist and leg elastic will biodegrade in 3 – 5 years when disposed of in landfill compared to over 50 years (or more!) for synthetics. |
Use a non-biodegradable polycotton blend thread.
| Uses a cotton thread, which is naturally biodegradable.
|