Is Orange Fiber Vegan? Material Facts & Alternatives

Vegan status: Vegan

Also known as: Citrus cellulose fibre, Citrus silk

Origin

Plant-derived — produced from the pastazzo (citrus peel and pulp waste) left over from the Italian citrus juice industry, particularly in Sicily. Developed by Adriana Santanocito and Enrica Arena.

Environmental impact

Rating: low. Uses industrial waste from the citrus juice industry — approximately 700,000 tonnes of pastazzo is generated annually in Italy alone. The fibre itself requires no dedicated agricultural land. Production is chemical-free.

Durability

Comparable to silk in drape and feel. Relatively new — long-term durability data accumulating.

Common uses

Luxury fashion. Ferragamo produced a limited capsule collection in 2017 in collaboration with Orange Fiber.

Notes

One of the most innovative next-gen materials. The fabric can be infused with citrus essential oils during production, providing a subtle natural scent. Currently very limited production and high cost. Fully biodegradable. A compelling waste-to-fibre story.