The collections of Malina consist only of thoughtfully chosen fabrics and materials. We want to create a design that is timeless, bold and holds the highest quality. All our textiles are handpicked, and our choices aims towards a more sustainable fashion world. We want everyone to treat their Malina garments for a long-lasting journey, to be a true wardrobe savior for many years ahead. We are constantly working to improve our purchase precision, continue to choose more environmentally-friendly materials and ordering long-lasting products of quality to meet these golas. New materials for 2020 are 100% Re-cycled Polyester, Organic Cotton and ECONYL®, amongst other natural fibers, reducing the use of virgin Polyester. In March 2020 20% of our stock on hand was made of Sustainable materials (Recycled Polyester, ECONYL®, Organic Cotton).
In March 2020 20% of our stock on hand was made of Sustainable materials (Recycled Polyester, ECONYL®, Organic Cotton).
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VISCOSE & PROVISCOSE® (RAYON*)
FIBER FROM FOREST
Viscose is simply a form of rayon; it is produced from a natural material called cellulose. The cellulose fibers are made from woods like pine, birch, eucalyptus or bamboo. Viscose has a similar hand feel and is usually a substitute to cotton and silk. The Viscose production accounts for 6 percent of the annual world production.
General advantages with the Viscose fabric are the strong and resistible characteristics. It also has a great capability of transporting moist. General disadvantages are that the solvents used to produce the material are very poisonous and the recycling of the detergent is low.
The environmental challenges based on this fabric are the processes around the fabric – it demands high water usage, energy and chemicals.
Another risk is the illegal lumbering of wood. Because it’s made from cellulose, there is an argument to say that it is a more sustainable fiber then other synthetic fiber. It can be damaged by excessive wringing and twisting that’s why dry cleaning is the preferred method of cleaning. ProViscose® is a trademarked fabric. It is a fiber that makes up for weaknesses of rayon fiber (i.e., decrease in strength & elongation in humidity) by blending Lenzing Viscose (70%) and Tencel (30%). The fabric is wearable and breathable based on its great softness and absorbance. Although it’s a material based on cellulose it causes no deformation when wet or after strong laundering.
1.6 to 8.3 kg CO2 equivalents per kg fiber
U&We presentation 200122
*Rayon and Viscose are the same type of fiber, Rayon is an older name and is mostly used in the US. The hand feel can be different between the two since Viscose is made with longer fibers and Rayon with shorter.
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COTTON & ORGANIC COTTON
SOFT NATURAL FIBER
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows into a boll, or protective case. The fiber is almost pure cellulose and is most often spun into yarn or thread and used to make a soft, breathable textile. Cotton production accounts for almost half of the world’s textile production. 2% of all cultured Cotton is organic.
General advantage with the Cotton fabric is its light composition, strong and absorbable features and that it’s non-allergenic. Cotton can be recycled chemically to Lyocell or Viscos. General disadvantages are that culturing Cotton demands huge amounts of water, fertilizers and pesticides. The fabric is difficult to color and therefore it demands a lot of treatment to dye.
The environmental challenges based on the Cotton fabric is mainly the usage of water, watering the plants and washing.
Malina’s denim supplier is currently working on a new depuration system that aims at recycling and re-using water from the laundry instead of simply cleaning it. Moreover, they only use Eurotex-certificated products (without metals) and they replaced pumice stone wash with enzyme (organic) wash. A part of our collection is made in organic cotton, for example our t-shirts. Using organic cotton, instead of conventional cotton, saves up to 90% of water, significantly reducing the amount of chemicals.
0.5 to 4 kg CO2 equivalents per kg fibers (excluding CO2 sequestered in the fiber), but it is not unusual with results up to about 6 kg CO2 equivalents
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POLYESTER & RECYCLED POLYESTER
DURABLE AND RESISTANT
Polyester is a plastic material made from petroleum products, like oil or natural gas. The raw material in Polyester usually arise from fossil sources. The environmental impact can be reduced if the Polyester is made from Recycled material.
General advantage with Polyester is the very low usage of water in the manufacturing. The material is not in need of the use of chemicals since it’s not cultivated. It is very durable, resilient and a non-wrinkly material. It can be woven in many weights and textures, very versatile!
General disadvantages are when both in the extraction of the oil/gas and the production of Polyester itself are very energy intensive. Three times more energy is needed to produce polyester fibers than Cotton. The fabrics is not as breathable as natural fibers.
The environmental challenges based on Polyester and other plastic-based textiles are the microplastics that derives from the fabric when washing. This is despite the usage of Recycled Polyester. An important solution here is the usage of washing bags in laundry.
Our goal is to work with more recycled polyester that is made from recycled materials (PET and polyester fabrics). By choosing Recycled Polyester, we’re able to deliver the same technical performance in fibers with a smaller environmental footprint.
1.7 to 4.5 kg CO2 equivalents per kg fiber
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SILK
NATURAL AND BIODEGRADABLE
Silk is a natural filament fiber produced by the silkworm in the construction of its cocoon. Most silk is collected from cultivated caterpillars and comes from Asia and represent 0,2% of the world’s textile production.
Silk is regarded as one of the most expensive fabrics in the world, because of the work that goes in to making this luscious fabric. Malina are currently working with establishing a production based on a silk with elastic for a longer lasting and higher qualitative product.
General advantages with Silk are the softness, it is easy to dye, has great absorbent ability and regulates temperature. Disadvantages are for example the price, hence the difficult processing technique with its time requirements. Environmental challenges are the usage of chemicals. There is also a relevant animal right perspective. The climate footprint is bigger than other fabrics, because of the production, although the lifetime of this garment often is long this could be discussed.
52.5 to 80.9 kg CO2 equivalents per kg fibers
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TENCEL
HIGHLY SUSTAINABLE WOOD SOURCE
Tencel is the trademark name for lyocell. It’s a material made from cellulose fibers derived from wood pulp. While the fibers are nature-based, the fabric is manufactured by treating the wood fibers with chemicals. 99 % of the biodegradable chemicals can be regained thereby it won’t contaminate the water.
Tencel is a better sustainable choice since it doesn’t take up very big cultivation areas, they use less water for the process and less chemicals for the plants then cotton and similar materials.
The material can be damaged by excessive wringing and twisting, we recommend for you to dry clean these materials.
1.6 to 8.3 kg CO2 equivalents per kg fiber
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LEATHER
STRONG AND LONG LASTING
Leather is a natural durable and flexible material created by tanning animal rawhides and skins. Leather is a very rough material and will be softer the more you wear it, it will also adapt easily to temperature and damp alterations. You should not wash leather, take a white cloth and wipe off spots if needed. Our leather is originated from Pakistan, near the place of production of the garments. The leather pieces come only from sheep raising (domestic animals).
Everything is certified with REACH*, and the production is Chrome VI free (metal free, which is referred to as eco-friendly tanning) *REACH is a regulation of the European Union, adopted to improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals, while enhancing the competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry.
It also promotes alternative methods for the hazard assessment of substances in order to reduce the number of tests on animals.
6,5-8 kg CO2 equivalents per m2
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NYLON & ECONYL®
USEFUL FIBER IN MANY APPLICATIONS
Nylon and Spandex is entirely synthetic fabrics. It is known for its superior flexibility and excellent resilience. The materials are lightweight, highly elastic, strong, durable and non-absorbent to water and oils.
All of our swimsuits are made in nylon and spandex. Consider hand-washing or use a gentle cycle with the item placed in a protecting mesh bag. The CO2 effects of Nylon lacks studies, but is equivalent of Polyester of more.