The priority of sweater manufacturers has always been to select ingredients and fibres that are soft, hypoallergenic, and of the finest quality to meet consumer expectations that their sweaters are comfortable yet durable and easy to care for, says Kingsport, Tennessee based fibre maker Eastman.

According to the recent Eastman consumer study of sweater lovers, the sweaters consumers want to add to their wardrobes are soft, comfortable, stylish, and versatile. However, consumers are very disappointed when their sweaters look and feel differently after wearing and washing, the study found.

By using Naia blended knits in their collections, brands are not just choosing a sustainable ingredient, but also a certified and circular supply chain

Choosing fibres and materials that deliver comfort, quality and ease of care is essential to win with consumers, the company explains. Today, these are compounded by the ever-present consumer demand for a sustainable model. The promise of Naia from Eastman is to make sustainable style accessible to brands, and inclusive for everyone through a portfolio of fibres that don’t compromise on quality, comfort, or garment care.

Cosy blends

The results of soft and cosy blends between the versatile Naia fibres and other materials can be appreciated in the collections of Naadam and The Gap, which this year presented its third collection of men's sweaters blended with Naia and cotton.

By using Naia blended knits in their collections, brands are not just choosing a sustainable ingredient, but also a certified and circular supply chain. All Naia cellulosic fibre is produced in a safe, closed-loop process where solvents are recycled back into the system for reuse.

Eastman Naia partners with Textiles Genesis to provide track and trace solutions for brands. All Naia fibres are Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, ensuring no use of hazardous chemicals, and certified by TÜV Austria as biodegradable and compostable, also in the ocean, as supported by a recently published ocean degradation study conducted by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI).

Naia Renew

Naia fibres are designed to create unlimited possibilities for uncompromising, sustainable style - among these, Naia Renew staple fibre permits to create eco-conscious blends that are supremely soft, quick-drying and consistently reduce pilling which are ideal for T-shirts, casual wear, sweaters, comfy pants and home textiles.

Produced from 60% sustainably sourced wood pulp and 40% certified* recycled waste materials, Naia Renew creates the same top-quality fabrics as traditional Naia fibres, but with a reduced carbon footprint of around 35% - and it’s available at scale. This is why sweaters yarns producers choose this ingredient to increase the sustainability of their production, as the innovative cellulosic acetate materials can be blended with cotton, modal, merino wool, recycled polyester, or multiple content fancy yarns.

Naia blended yarns deliver super softness for supreme wearing comfort in knitwear, and sweaters made with Naia Renew can have good dimensional stability and shape retention even after multiple washes. Versatile Naia denier counts can be used in different yarn spinning processes, giving the yarn spinners freedom of creativity for trendy yarn designs perfect for year-round basic sweaters with good quality and a durable look. The unique cross section of Naia staple fibres enables designs that accommodate four seasons of wearing comfort.

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability.

The company’s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive and diverse company, Eastman employs approximately 14,500 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had a 2022 revenue of approximately $10.6 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA.

*Mass balance approach.

naia.eastman.com