Seacell is an artificial fiber, produced from seaweed. Seaweeds are a biological resource with unique characteristics.
In the case of Seacell, the seaweed used to produce the fiber is planted and collected in Iceland, in a fresh and natural environment.
The harvest is selectively done, to maintain the sustainability levels of the entire seaweed fields. Algae grow in a natural environment, without any kind of chemical treatment. During recollection, their regenerative compounds are considered to be untouchable.
However, Seacell fiber is not just seaweed. Its production process is very similar to what is found during production of artificial fibers such as Viscose or Modal.
This means Seacell is also produced based on cellulose, which comes from wood pulp.
It is during a very specific stage of its production process that the properties of seaweed are added, together with the normal chemical substances needed. Once harvested, the algae are properly washed and dried, grounded, and only then added to cellulose. The result is an innovative and sustainable circular knitted fabric, made from Seacell fiber.
Seacell is an artificial fiber developed exclusively by the company smartfiber AG. Its production method uses only sustainable raw materials, such as wood and seaweed.
Like other man-made fibers, here too the process begins with the collection of wood pulp, mainly from Beech trees. Then, the production of Seacell fiber is also very similar to that found in the production of Lyocell, with a slight difference.
After cellulose is produced, the pre-ground seaweed is transformed into a liquid state and only then introduced into the mixture. In this way, the properties of marine algae remain intact when creating Seacell fibers.
The method then returns to the original model, proceeding to the extrusion process. In here, the solution is forced to pass through spinnerets, is hardened, and, in the end, cut into fibers, afterward used for the creation of circular knitted fabrics made from Seacell.
There is also a note worth mentioning about the way in which the whole process takes place.
Although the energy used to produce this fiber is still electrical, the transition towards renewable energies has been increasing over the years. At the same time, the chemical substances used throughout the process seek to be as less harmful as possible to the environment.
The production method is properly patented, and the result is a very comfortable circular knitted fabric with unique characteristics.
Seacell characteristics can be applied in the most diverse areas, from medicine to fashion, sports, and underwear, or even home items, such as towels and bed linen.
Seacell is thus a very special artificial fiber, with unique characteristics made from marine algae. These circular knitted fabrics provide softness and breathability for the skin, in addition to the natural feeling of well-being and an appearance of constant care.
There are also those who share the idea that the very properties of the marine algae, such as their anti-inflammatory capacity, are transferred to the fibers during their production. However, there is still no scientific agreement on the subject.
Even so, it is certain that Seacell benefits from some of the characteristics of these algae, namely its unique softness every time you touch it. Like other fibers, Seacell can also be mixed with different types of fibers, natural or not, in order to enhance the positive characteristics of both.
Seacell fiber allows for the creation of circular knitted fabrics that are soft to the touch, with added comfort and breath, alongside essential elements for today's generations, whose lifestyle increasingly demands the option of choosing sustainable products.
The outcome is very airy, soft, and flexible, available at the ITJV only through catalogue request and sample validation.
This text was written and published in 2021
