About Soy Fiber
Motor magnate Henry Ford first talked of soy fibers in the 1940s and was photographed wearing the first known soy suit and tie. But it wasn't until the technological break through in 1999 making mass production of soybean fiber realistic and economically sound. The invention was awarded the gold prize by World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2003.
The following Q & A will provide some insights to soybean fiber and why Babysoy chooses soybean fiber as our fabric choice.
What is soybean fiber?
Soybean fiber is a sustainable textile fiber made from renewable natural resources. It is part of an effort moving consumers away from petrochemical textile products and turning waste into useful products.
What is the manufacturing process of soybean fiber?
Manufacturing is done through using cutting-edge bioengineering extract proteins from leftover dregs from soybean oil/tofu/soymilk production. Then through a process called wet-spinning, the protein liquids are forced through a device resembling a showerhead, called a spinneret, to make liquid soy. Finally, the liquid soy is solidified to make soybean fiber.
The raw material, bean dregs, after having their protein extracted, can be used as fodder or fertilizer. All auxiliaries used in production of soybean fiber are of a harmless nature, and they are recyclable making the production process a closed end process.
How does soybean fiber help our environment?
Soybean fiber is part of "sustainable clothing", where sustainable raw materials or waste are used to produce textile products. Soybean fiber does not add any extra burden on mother nature
Another way to look at it is like using "recycled paper", turning waste into useful things thus greatly reduced impact on environment.
Why soybean fiber?
Babysoy wanted to contribute our efforts in cutting down human damages to mother nature and help to promote sustainable clothing to the public. Aside from being eco-friendly, soybean fiber itself also has superior warmth retention and moisture transmission, thus keeping babies warm and dry. It also has silky luster and super soft hand feel. We believe soybean fabric is the perfect product for babies with its superior quality. Soybean fiber is being touted as "vegetable cashmere"!
How does soybean fiber compare to other fibers?
Soybean fiber is soft, smooth, and light. It has cashmere feel, but is smoother than cashmere. Soybean fiber has joyful silky luster with perfect drape and elegant feel. It has the same moisture absorption as cotton but with better moisture transmission than cotton, making it more comfortable to wear. Soybean fiber has a stronger tensile strength than wool and almost as good as wool in terms of warmth retention.
Caring for soybean fabric is relatively easy as it can be machine washed with little shrinkage and air-dried. We don't recommend high temperature drying because it will damage the protein structure.
Are babysoy soybean fiber clothes made under fair trade condition?
Yes!! Babysoy makes 100% certain that our contractors are practicing fair trade and obey the local labor laws. Every year, our inspector will visit the contractors' facility 3-4 times without advance notice and make sure everything meets requirements.
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