Castor oil is the star of new sustainable yarns from RadiciGroup

RadiciGroup’s latest sustainable product is aiming to penetrate number of markets: fabrics, fine garments, home textiles, sporting goods and automotive interiors.

The chemical company’s Biofeel Eleven is a naturally sourced yarn made from the castor oil extracted from the small Eranda bean in India. Introduced during the Performance Days trade fair in Munich earlier this month, Biofeel Eleven offers lower water absorption, increased lightness and improve strength, according to RadiciGroup. “This means being able to produce fabrics that are both durable and comfortable to the touch and skin,” said Marco De Silvestri, sales and marketing head of the company’s advanced textile solutions business area.

Currently, 80% of the world’s castor-oil plantations are in India, particularly in the Gujarat region. Local people can earn an additional income by cultivating semi-arid land that does not compete with food production, the company said.