FABRICS FAQ : eco-fabrics

Brentano's eco-fabrics are made out of bamboo, Eco Wool, recycled polyester and polyurethane.

Because of its quick growth, bamboo is an ideal sustainable source of raw material. The harvest of bamboo has minimal impact on its surrounding environment. Its inherent insect-resistant properties render pesticides needless. Bamboo does not require replanting after harvesting because its vast root networks continually sprout new shoots, which pull in carbon dioxide and convert it to new growth. This elaborate root system makes agricultural tending using diesel-emitting equipment to plant seeds and till soil unnecessary. Plus, growing bamboo improves soil quality and helps rebuild eroded soil.

Bamboo is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-fungal due to the unique bacteriostatic agent in bamboo plants called "bamboo kun." The bamboo kun in the bamboo fiber stops odor-producing bacteria from growing and spreading, allowing for a more hygienic, fresher smelling fabric. It is 100% biodegradable and can be completely decomposed by micro-organisms and sunlight. It will not decompose into any pollutants such as methane gas, a common by-product of decomposition in landfills. Bamboo fibers absorb dyestuffs faster than cotton and viscose, resulting in less water use during the dying process.

Bamboo fiber is made of cellulose produced by the plant. The yarn is produced in a process like a rayon (viscose) yarn. The first step is to harvest the bamboo. Next, the wooden parts of the stem are used and cut into smaller pieces, which is where the bamboo cellulose is found. This bamboo-cellulose is made into a powder. Following this, the powder is chemically split up to a cellulose- pulp and then spun to a filament. Finally, the bamboo filaments are cut into the required length from which various types of yarns are spun.

Brentano's bamboo yarn is dyed and woven in facilities that comply with Oeko-Tex or environmental protection policies in Europe.

Bamboo fabrics are not only very strong, but also have a beautiful luster that allows them to avoid the chemical baths needed to mercerize cotton.

5012 Bamboo Cloth
01 Moon	02 Pale Earth 03 Mountain Dusk 04 Water's Edge 05 Footbridge

Wool is naturally an environmentally friendly fiber. The process of raising and sheering the animals, then carding, scouring and dying the wool fiber requires less water and fewer pesticides and chemicals than cotton or linen. Because wool absorbs VOCs (Volatile Organic Compound) in the atmosphere, it aids in reducing air pollution. The Eco Wool fibers have almost no toxic residues. During the manufacturing processes of scouring, dying and weaving, local established criteria is followed in order to reduce the harmful substances. Additionally, production of the Eco Wool meets EU Eco-expectations of reduction of air and water pollution.

Brentano's Eco Wool fiber is from Tasmania, Australia. As such, it is produced according to EU Eco-label for textiles. EU Eco-label, comparable to MBDC and GREENGUARD in the US, is an independent organization that promotes environmental protection. It aims to achieve significant environmental improvements by developing, publishing and promoting criteria that push the market forward. The goal is to minimize the environmental impacts of a wide range of products and services over their life-cycle. The product labeling serves to educate the general public on environmental concerns.

Brentano Eco wool fiber is Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified. Oeko-Tex Standard 100 evaluates and screens for any harmful substances present in processed textiles.

The New Zealand Mill that produces Brentano's Eco Wool textiles has achieved a silver Enviro-Mark rating. Enviro-Mark is a set of standards designed to help businesses enhance their environmental performance. This mill maintains Enviro-Mark standards and continues demonstrating their commitment to improve the environment. Eighty percent of electrical energy used throughout the mill comes from renewable resources (hydro and wind power), energy usage is reduced through use of high speed energy-efficient looms and seventy-percent of all used cardboard packing is recycled.

7107 Eco Flannel
01 Swan	02 Chinchilla 03 Camel 04 Bluebird 05 Red Fox 06 Coyote 07 Rhino 08 Tortoise
7100 Eco Satin
01 Paper Birch	02 Bellflower 03 Butternut 04 Gladiola 05 Shamrock 06 Mushroom 07 Ironwood 08 Walnut
7110 Eco Stripe
01 Sandstorm	02 Moonrise 03 Landslide 04 Hot Spring 05 Mountaintop 06 Nightfall 07 Eclipse

Brentano's recycled polyester fiber is made from post consumer polyesters. One source of post consumer polyester is recycled soda and water bottles that otherwise may have ended up in landfills. Additionally, using recycled polyester fibers preserves virgin oil that would be needed to manufacture new fibers. All the dyestuffs used have gone through chemical analyses ensuring no harmful chemicals or heavy metals. The fabrics are tested for air-emissions to certify that there are no compounds deemed unsafe by MBDC standards. All finishing chemicals are also tested for human safety. This fabric is never intended to reach the landfill and can continue to be recycled.

Brentano's recycled polyester fabric has achieved an MBDC Cradle to Cradle rating of Silver.



This icon appears on all Brentano fabrics that are MBDC Cradle to Cradle certified.

This product is made meeting strict environmental guidelines. The mill that produces Brentano's recycled polyester textiles has installed a computerized temperature and humidity system at each loom to regulate temperature and save energy. Throughout the mill, there are low energy lights and a temperature controlled heating and cooling system. For ten years, this American mill has labored to create a completely sustainable facility. They recycle 100% of their used cardboard. Lastly, all the plastic waste that cannot be recycled is sent to local concrete factory where it is burned and used as energy, saving an estimated 65,000 lbs of coal a year.

2538 Barkcloth
01 Sunrise	02 Morning 03 Sandbar 04 Island 05 Daylight 06 Mountain 07 Lagoon 08 Ember 09 Forest Floor
2525 Rainforest
01 Kauai	02 Cameroon 03 Yucatan 04 Amazon 05 Congo 06 Blize 07 Queensland
6530 Second Chance
01 Moonlight	02 Whisper 03 Hard to Get 04 Arm in Arm 05 Teardrop 06 Candlelight 07 Red Roses 08 Box of Chocolates
2532 Thicket
01 Lady's Slipper	02 Shepherd's Purse 03 Bachelor's Button 04 King's Cup 05 Traveler's Joy 06 Snake's Head 07 Pheasant's Eye 08 Cupid's Dart 09 Turk's Cap 10 Monk's Hood

Polyurethane is a green alternative to PVC (vinyl) and leather. PVC contains chloride and is not biodegradable. In landfills, it leaches toxic additives and when incinerated, it emits carcinogenic dioxin and heavy metals. Comparatively, polyurethane is much more environmentally friendly in both production and after-care.

Polyurethane is biodegradable. Naturally soft and flexible, polyurethane does not require the solvents used to soften PVC or leather. General cleaning of polyurethane surfaces often only require soap and water. Polyurethane based man-made faux leather is also an animal friendly alternative to natural leather.

Brentano polyurethane
Brentano polyurethane product is manufactured in facilities that are conscientious of the green movement. The manufacturing facilities have been researching to reduce the use of solvent and emission of VOCs, and are either 14001 certified or compliant with European pollution protection laws. All pigments and chemicals used in the facilities comply with EPA guidance. The solvents used in the process of the coagulation process are distilled, recaptured and reused at the manufacturing facility.

Brentano Ultra Friendly Series
Brentano's Ultra Friendly Series of polyurethane faux leathers are made using a patented "dry" process. Compared to the traditional "wet" process, the Ultra Friendly Series has the following benefits:

1. It consumes 0.1% of solvent, almost none.
2. It requires 1/3 of the energy to produce (compared to the traditional "wet" method).
3. It requires 1/5 of the labor to produce (compared to the traditional "wet" method).

In addition to the green aspect, the Ultra Friendly Series is tested to be extremely strong in abrasion and exhibit superior hydrolysis performance.

Brentano's Faux Leather Polyurethane Textiles

Brentano's Ultra Friendly Series