On average, nearly 8 billion metric tons of plastic are thrown into the ocean every year. 700,000 microfibers are released per laundry load.
Did you also find these facts astonishing!
Do you know that nowadays, microplastics can be found in nearly every part of our environment.
Philadelphia-based company Tandem Repeat headed by CEO Gözde enel-Ayaz and COO Dennis Werger, have developed Squitex— an alternative to thermoplastic fiber that has self-healing properties.
The start-up’s name – “tandem repeats” refers to the occurrence of a repeated pattern of one or more nucleotides in DNA and the repetitions are directly adjacent to each other.
Tandem Repeat discovered self-healing properties in squid genes. Through their innovative technology, thermoplastic fibers are extracted in an environmentally friendly and low-cost technique and turned into a biodegradable and 100% recyclable fabric. The material also works as an adhesive, which reduces microfibre shredding in the wash and so reduces plastic pollution in the oceans.
They use less energy in the manufacturing process (at least half of the energy cost compared to synthetic fibers). It’s a great alternative to synthetic fabrics like spandex, for example (elastane). Furthermore, the fibers are the only fabric capable of self-healing.
With their coating, various natural or synthetic yarn (polyester and nylon) becomes self-healing and repairing, and fiber integrity is preserved under heavy wear and tear situations. Tandem Repeat states that this enables the creation of products with longer life cycles and reduces environmental pollution.
How does the process work?
Tandem Repeat works by isolating genes from squids that have the ability to synthesize self-healing fibers. The thermoplastic fibers and coatings produced by industrial biofermentation are 100% biodegradable, 100% recyclable, up to 400% stretchable, and have a 50 MJ/m3 ultimate toughness. They are accessible in powder, polymer, and liquid forms. Fabrics made from these fibers are the only ones that have the ability to self-heal, resulting in products with longer life cycles and less pollution.
Applications
Tandem Repeat supplies green fibers and coatings to the medical, industrial, and textile industries, including wound care and catheters, food packaging, water filtration, and cosmetics, as well as synthetic leather, military nylon replacement, and high performance, self-healing fabrics.
Recognisation
Tandem Repeat’s work has received awards and recognition. The company was chosen as one of ten companies to compete in the 3rd Annual Green & Bio-Based Chemistry Technology Showcase & Networking Event, which was held on May 8th, 2018 at Eastman Chemical’s GC3 Innovators Roundtable in Kingsport, TN.
Tandem Repeat was also named the 2018 Global Change Award Early Bird Winner, which is the best entry from the pool of entries submitted during the first half of the application period.
REFERENCES:
Tales of the Apparel World 
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