For our MilkFibe™ fabric, we blend milk fiber with Tencel™ Modal and elastane.
See our process for the MilkFibe™ t-shirt below.
MilkFibe™ Ingredients
Our MilkFibe™ fabric is a carefully crafted blend of:
– milk protein fibers
– Tencel™ Modal, from sustainably sourced wood pulp
– elastane
Milk Sourcing
Milk fiber begins with fresh milk sourced from dairy farms in China. The milk used is often surplus or no longer fit for drinking but still rich in proteins. Once collected, it’s skimmed to remove the cream, leaving behind skim milk that becomes the base for the fiber. This approach not only puts unused milk to work but also gives new purpose to a resource that might otherwise go to waste.
Making Milk Fibers
A touch of acid is added to the soured milk, coaxing it to separate into curds and whey—just like in cheesemaking. The curds are carefully removed, then washed, dried, and milled into a silky fine powder. Through a wet spinning process, this powder is transformed into fiber, pushed through a tiny spinneret—imagine a miniature pasta press—where it solidifies into delicate strands. The result is an innovative, sustainable alternative to traditional textiles, turning what was once waste into wearable beauty.
Environmental Benefits
Milk fiber repurposes dairy that would otherwise be discarded, preventing the greenhouse gas emissions that occur when decomposing milk releases methane into the atmosphere. By transforming this former waste into a high-value fiber, we not only give new life to an existing resource but also reduce our reliance on energy- and resource-intensive production of new raw materials.
Finishing
The fabric is composed of milk fiber blended with TENCEL™ Modal, a cellulosic fiber derived from responsibly harvested beechwood using Lenzing’s closed-loop production system, which recovers and reuses process solvents. An additional percentage of elastane is incorporated to enhance tensile strength, elasticity, and fabric recovery. This composition delivers a smooth hand feel, high durability, and excellent drape.
