Ingeo
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Ingeo™ is a trademark for the first commercially viable man-made fiber made from 100% annually renewable resources. The process to create Ingeo makes use of the carbon naturally stored in plants by photosynthesis. Plant starches are broken down into sugars. The carbon and other elements in these natural sugars are then used to make a biopolymer through a process of simple fermentation and separation. The resulting resin, called NatureWorks™ PLA, can then be spun or extruded into Ingeo for use in textiles.
Like other synthetic fibers, Ingeo has a number of advantages over natural fibers. Examples are high strength, high dimensional stability, and high resiliency. In addition, PLA is more resistant to ultraviolet light than most other synthetics. It has relatively low flammability and smoke generation. Because it is more hydrophilic than common polyester fibers, when blended with cotton and wool, Ingeo results in lighter garments that absorb moisture better, wicking water away from the skin.
Disadvantages of Ingeo are its relatively low dye uptake and poor colorfastness.