At Première Vision's Digital Denim Week (5–9 July 2021), most mills showed next season's fabrics. Azgard9 showed a garment designed for a season decades away. CO2AT is a living, breathing garment that absorbs carbon dioxide and produces oxygen.
"While brands are thinking about their next collections, we have been thinking about collections of and for the future," said Azgard9 CEO Ahmed Shaikh. "Essentially we want to provide a climate positive result simply from everyone wearing clothes. The goal now is to turn this into a mainstream concept."
The science comes from Post Carbon Lab in London. "Our photosynthetic coating is a living layer of photosynthetic microorganisms that we embed into textiles," explained Dian-Jen Lin of the lab. "It absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and releases oxygen during both its production and the user phase." Treated with this microbial pigmentation, the garment behaves like a plant, producing about as much oxygen as an oak tree. It is also water-resistant and breathable, with antimicrobial and anti-odour properties.
Textile World reported that the garment was being analysed by all of Azgard9's global customers, "from large luxury fashion groups like LVMH to fast fashion brands like Zara". Azgard9 produced 200 CO2ATs. With proper care, each can produce oxygen for four years, and in their first seven months the 200 garments together turned 204 kg of CO2 into oxygen.
Key facts
- LaunchPremière Vision Digital Denim Week, 5–9 July 2021
- PartnerPost Carbon Lab, London
- Oxygen outputabout the same as an oak tree
- Units made200
- Lifespanproduces oxygen for four years with proper care
- Impact204 kg of CO2 converted to oxygen in the first seven months
CO2AT is Future Before Fashion made wearable: Azgard9's way of showing brand partners that the garment of the future can start today.
