How does the unique composition of VivÈrdie's leather-like material, combining 93% unrecyclable fabric scraps with a natural binder, enhance its performance compared to traditional materials?
We are still in full development of the material. Right now, the material functions perfectly for floor or wall pieces and compares well to the strength of materials normally used for these applications. The material is, however, not yet as strong as a textile normally used for interior pieces.
Could you describe the specific natural binding materials used in Vifour material and their impact on the biodegradability and recycling process?
Our textile material Vifour is bound with a natural binder of our creation. The base of this binder mostly consists of corn starch. Indeed, the whole textile is not completely compostable since the textiles we recycle are not, to start with.
The beauty of our binder is that the chemical process within the binder can be endlessly restarted. This means that we can, in theory, recycle our material endlessly as well. We are now up to 150 recycling loops without quality loss or any other additions. If the textile has to be recycled in another way at some point, the binder can also be eliminated from the textile, and the fibers will be the same as they were before.
Could you explain the care package for end-users to repair or upgrade their items made from Vifour?
For the cleaning of the material, we would recommend natural cleaning sprays and a slightly wet cloth to deb the material clean.
We also provide care packages for our material. Each package includes a piece of material in the same color, along with instructions for its use, such as repairing a tear. The material can be heated on a normal stove and applied to patch the damaged area. The advantage of this technique is that it leaves no visible signs of repair once the process is complete.
What are the most significant obstacles you have encountered in sourcing unrecyclable fabric scraps for Vifour, and how do you ensure a consistent supply chain for these materials?
The most challenging aspect of sourcing our material is finding matching colors to create larger sheets. We partner with two charities in the Netherlands that collect second-hand clothes for their shops. Many of these garments are no longer suitable for resale, and we purchase these from these charities. This arrangement provides them with additional income and supplies us with a continuous stream of base materials. They gather a significant amount of clothing each week, giving us a broad selection to choose from. However, the wide variety of shades within each color makes it difficult to find exact matches for larger material sheets.
What specific areas of material chemistry and physics is VivÈrdie Industries exploring to further enhance the sustainability and functionality of your textiles?
We are working on enhancing the water resistance of our material by testing various binding agents and additives. Additionally, we are exploring ways to make the material more functional for dynamic applications like clothing. Another focus is developing a fully circular system for the water used in production. Currently, we clean the water before releasing it back into the environment, but our goal is to continually reuse it.
