Albini Group, historic manufacturer of high-end shirting fabrics, meets C.L.A.S.S. Eco Hub, international platform for the promotion and development of innovative and sustainable textiles. Two groundbreaking companies joining forces in the name of ethical and technological development through the C.L.A.S.S. Material Hub, the section dedicated to fibers, threads, yarns and fabrics that are changing the fashion and textile industry.
In addition to being a partner, Albini provides all-around support for the C.L.A.S.S. Smart Shop, a next-generation e-commerce where students, designers and brands can explore and test materials in which style, innovation and responsibility converge. All without minimums, and all with high quality, transparency and responsible costs.
“For Albini, sustainability is a process of continuous improvement, involving the company in all its aspects,” says President Stefano Albini. “This process also involves the choice and selection of realities with which to collaborate. In C.L.A.S.S. we have found a partner who shares our same goals and values, an ally in our ambitious and pioneering mission to make the fashion industry smarter and more sustainable. Collaborating with C.L.A.S.S. represents an opportunity for us to join forces, creating a network within which we can share our vision and witness the effort we are putting into the work of researching, developing and producing more sustainable products and processes.”
Since 1876 Albini Group has been committed to offering customers high-quality fabrics, made with full respect for the environment and safety and contributing to the well-being of employees and the communities in which it operates. Traceability of the entire production chain, transparency of production processes and social responsibility are essential requirements of Albini Group’s modus operandi.
The values in which Albini Group believes and the strong sensitivity to environmental issues have led the company to also address the issue of the risk of toxic and harmful chemicals in a systemic way, integrating into the production cycles activities and controls aimed at gradually eliminating their presence, with the clear objective of protecting man and the environment.
A virtuous example, which testifies to the company’s commitment to traceability and transparency, is certainly BIOFUSION®, Albini’s organic and scientifically traceable cotton. Albini Group directly manages and controls the cultivation of this cotton with the aim of ensuring total compliance with regulations, high quality standards and the traceability of the entire production chain. Thanks to the use of forensic science, BIOFUSION® is traceable from the country of origin to the finished fabric: a guarantee not only of origin, but also of quality and its ethical and sustainable production.
A 360-degree approach to sustainability, from which innovation absolutely cannot be missing. Precisely for this reason, ALBINI_next, Albini’s innovation hub, was inaugurated in 2019. Created in response to the need to find tangible solutions to environmental sustainability issues in the world of textiles, ALBINI_next collaborates with start-ups, research centers, universities, customers and partners.
Three main research areas – innovative fibers and yarns, sustainable dyes and green chemistry – united by the task of transferring cutting-edge technologies through open innovation.
Among the new projects presented is “Off the Grain,” born from the collaboration with Riso Gallo, a leading rice producer in Italy. It is a new type of dye derived from the processing of a particular variety of black rice: the boiling water of the rice, which can no longer be used for the food industry, is transformed into a natural dye, resulting in significant water savings during the dyeing process.
“Grounded Indigo” is a natural textile dyestuff, born from the search for dyeing practices that are more responsible to people and the environment. For this project, ALBINI_next chose to collaborate with Stony Creek Colors, an American producer of the world’s only 100% plant-based indigo that is USDA BioPreferred certified.
The third project, called “HempFeel,” is an innovative hemp oil-based finishing, tipically used for cosmetic products. ALBINI_next was the first company to apply it to fabrics of different weights, compositions and structures. HempFeel replaces silicones usually used in finishing, thus reducing the release of microplastics and giving fabrics a soft and durable hand.
“When discussing values related to creativity, next-generation production and commitment to ethics and traceability, Albini is an extremely important point of reference.” says Giusy Bettoni, founder and CEO of C.L.A.S.S. “This is why we are delighted with its inclusion within our Material Hub, alongside its colleagues of the responsible innovation movement. Follow us on this new common path. Next-generation solutions and nice surprises will not be missed.”
