Silk & Sustainability
Cillouettes · 2 min read
Mulberry silk and responsible material choices
Silk is a natural fibre often highlighted for its special properties. It is produced from the silk threads spun by silkworms, which feed on mulberry leaves. The material is known for its lustre, strength and long lifespan - and because it is an animal fibre, it naturally biodegrades over time under the right conditions.
In this guide
Efficient use of resources
Silk is a valuable material, which means that producers typically make great efforts to use the entire raw material. Leftover materials from silk production are often used for other purposes - for example, as filling in silk duvets and pillows, or in the production of smaller textile components. In addition, mulberry tree leaves are used as feed, the fruit as food and the wood for materials such as building materials.
Resource-intensive, but evolving
Traditional silk production requires large amounts of boiling water to extract the fibres. Historically, this has meant high water and energy consumption. Today, however, several producers are working with modern technologies in which the water is cleaned and reused, reducing the need for new process water in production.
