Turning wheat straw into fabric could cut Delhi smog, claims industry report

By A Representative 

An industry-sponsored report, "From Wheat Straw to Wardrobes: Fashioning a new fibre future", based on a pilot project has claimed that India’s agricultural waste can be transformed into sustainable fashion fabrics, offering a viable alternative to tree-based fibres. Project Latvus, led by Canopy and Laudes Foundation with global fashion brands including H&M Group, C&A, and Reformation, says, it successfully produced lyocell garments from wheat straw residues collected in Punjab and Haryana.

Each year, more than 300 million trees are cut down to make viscose, lyocell, and other man-made cellulosic fibres (MMCFs). At the same time, Indian farmers burn over 90 million tonnes of crop residue, contributing up to 40% of Delhi’s air pollution and reducing life expectancy by nearly a decade. “Project Latvus was developed as a proof-of-concept pilot to demonstrate how agricultural residues—specifically wheat straw—can be transformed into a valuable feedstock for producing low-impact, low-carbon MMCFs,” the report states.

The pilot demonstrated that pulp made from wheat straw can directly replace wood-based pulp in lyocell fibre production. Fabrics including jersey, warp-knit mesh, and sweaters were produced and tested by partner brands. Reformation reported that the Latvus fibre was “a strong aesthetic match to conventional lyocell with commercial viability.” While minor issues such as yarn hairiness and lower pulp yields were observed, these are expected to resolve with industrial-scale production.

The environmental and social benefits are significant. Repurposing crop residues reduces air pollution, creates new income streams for farmers, and eases pressure on climate-critical forests. According to the report, “Sourcing inputs for fabrics such as viscose and lyocell from Indian crop residues addresses many problems at once: Farmers gain access to new income streams while air pollution from burning crop residues is reduced, leading to better health outcomes. Forests…are preserved.”

Scaling up production is expected to make wheat-straw-based lyocell cost-competitive with conventional fibres. Co-products such as lignin and acetic acid could further strengthen financial viability. Next steps include a techno-economic assessment, optimization of production processes, and commercial scaling supported by brand commitments and investor confidence.

The conclusion of the report is clear: “By successfully producing wheat-straw-based lyocell for several fabrics, each comparable to commercially produced options, the pilot has proven that agricultural residues can serve as a viable, forest-free feedstock for MMCFs.” With continued collaboration, investment, and certification, Project Latvus points toward a future where fashion can reduce its dependence on forests while supporting rural livelihoods and cleaner air.