Bridging Fashion and Agri-Food Sectors: Exploring Industrial Symbiosis for Sustainable Material Innovation

This article explores the potential for environmental impact reduction in the fashion and agri-food industries thanks to industrial symbiosis, with a focus on transforming food by-products and waste into sustainable materials for fashion applications. Both industries contribute significantly to environmental degradation: fashion through its reliance on synthetic fabrics and the fast fashion model and agri-food through large volumes of by-products and waste. This research focuses on transforming food by-products into sustainable materials for fashion applications, thereby creating a practical link between two traditionally separate sectors. Through a systematic review, this study identifies bio-based materials derived from agri-food waste, examining their properties, production methods and potential applications in fashion. The findings emphasize innovative materials like plant-based fibers, bio-fabricated materials and do-it-yourself creations, all of which offer promising alternatives to traditional materials. Additionally, a model which proposes bio-based substitutes for different types of apparel is developed to support companies in selecting the most suitable sustainable materials, tailored to their specific needs in apparel production. The research contributes to the broader understanding of sustainable material innovation, offering insights into industrial symbiosis between food and fashion sectors and highlighting pathways to foster circular economy practices.