Alpaca
The textile fibre obtained from alpaca is simply called “alpaca fibre.” Alpaca fibre has inherent sustainability attributes: It is a renewable, natural fibre that can be used as a viable alternative to cashmere, wool from sheep and even synthetic fabrics.
Contents
Benefits
There are two different breeds of alpacas: huacaya and suri. The main physical difference between these two alpacas is the fleece. Like wool from sheep, fibre from huacaya has a natural crimp and when the fleece grows out they look fluffy. Suri fibre has no crimp in its fleece, and the fibre drapes down from its body. It is soft and silky, and can be used as an alternative to silk.[1]
Alpacas have padded feet and toenails rather than hooves. Because of this, they are very gentle on the pasture. Alpacas don't consume the root of grass like sheep and Kashmir goats, so the grass can continue growing after they have eaten it.[1]
Alpaca fibre is a natural fibre and renewable. It is valued for its natural warmth and water repellence.
Alpaca fibre is highly valued for its softness, durability and silkiness. Due to its low micron count (20-70), it is very comfortable to wear and is also lightweight. It is naturally non-pilling.
The surface of alpaca fibre is water-, dirt- and stain repellent, whilst the fibre interior is highly moisture absorbent. Alpaca fibre is dyed readily and is naturally fire resistant. Since there is no need for the use of fire retardant coatings or synthetic topical finishes on wool, it may be used as a viable alternative to synthetic fabrics.[2]
Alpaca fibre absorbs odours and is, to some extent, self-cleaning. It tends not to smell bad, even after long periods of wear. Because of this, alpaca fibre garments and products do not need to be washed frequently.[3]
Alpaca fibre comes in 22 natural colours, including white, browns, greys and black, potentially eliminating the need to use synthetic dyes.[1]
Alpaca fibre does not contain lanolin or grease, so it can be easily cleaned in a rinse bath with natural products.[4]
In 100% form, alpaca fibre fabric is biodegradable after its useful life, though absolute biodegradability depends on the dyes and trims used, and route of disposal.
Potential impacts
Dyeing
The dyeing process for alpaca fibre involves standard industry chemicals and water use. Certain types of dyes are suspected carcinogens and mutagens, and untreated dye water can negatively impact receiving water bodies and harm aquatic ecosystems if left untreated before its release.
Consumer care/washing
Alpaca fibre fabrics may be handwashed, spot cleaned, or dry-cleaned, depending on the product. Washing and caring for any product can cause significant environmental impacts due to chemicals used in cleaning products.
End of use
Although 100% alpaca fibre is biodegradable, the amount of time it could take for a alpaca product to decompose naturally and in a short period of time is dependent upon a number of conditions—including how much air, temperature and sunlight the fibre is exposed to. If the waste is buried in a landfill, it can take even longer for it to break down.
Optimize sustainability benefits
- Promote the use of alpaca fibre as an alternative to wool, cashmere, silk and synthetics.
- Develop relationships with producers and monitor farmers to ensure animal-friendly practices are being implemented.
- Promote the use of natural colour alpaca fibre.
- Promote OEKO-TEK® certified alpaca fibre.[6]
Availability
Alpaca fibre is available from producers in Peru, North America and Australia.
Applications
Knitwear applications in clothing, accessories, outerwear, baby clothing, blankets, rugs, upholstery.
Marketing opportunities
renewable resource
OEKO-TEK® Standard 100 certified If verified and used.
biodegradable All fibres, yarns, trims and dyes used to manufacture the product or garment must also be biodegradable, or disassembled before disposal. This should be substantiated with documentation that the product can completely break down into non-toxic material by being processed in a facility where compost is accepted. Secondary label or marketing material should be provided to instruct customer.
natural colour If no dyes are used.
Innovation opportunities
- To minimize cost, use alpaca in blends with organic wool or cotton.
- Use naturally coloured alpaca fibre to create heathers with white wool or cotton.
- Design garments that use alpaca fibre in strategic areas, such as under the arms, to emphasize its self-cleaning and moisture absorbent attributes.
- Create an alpaca product that is 100% biodegradable and compostable: the product can break down in a reasonable amount of time and can provide valuable nutrients to the soil after disposal.
- Know whom your fibre or product is being sourced from. Be aware that when there is high demand for a fibre—a fibre that typically gets produced in poor countries with little or unenforced regulations for workers and animals—the likelihood of animal cruelty and poor worker conditions increases.
Sources
- Nelson, Bruce. Personal interview. 5 Jan. 2014.
- http://www.wildhairalpacas.com/pages/1414/wild-hair-alpacas-llc-whats-so-special-about-alpaca-fibre
- Sheep and Wool, Animal industry, http://www.h-ed.com.au/think/13-animal-industry/43-sheep-and-wool.html?
- http://www.usalpacacompany.com/Alpaca-Fibre.html
- http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/waste-decomposition-rates.html
- http://www.OEKO-TEK.com/media/downloads/Factsheet_OETS_100_EN.pdf
