Nanollose Unveils World’s First Wearable Garment Made From Liquid Waste

Australian biomaterial technology company Nanollose Ltd (ASX: NC6) has achieved a world first by creating a wearable fashion garment from liquid waste, using its Tree-Free Rayon fibre, Nullarbor, derived from sustainable coconut industry waste.

This breakthrough represents a significant advancement in the search for eco-friendly alternatives to conventional fibres like rayon and cotton, which are known for their environmental damage, including deforestation and heavy chemical use.

Executive Chairman Wayne Best stated, “We have successfully taken waste and created clothing, using industrial protocols and equipment. This validates our entire process.” The fibre was spun into yarn, woven into fabric, and manufactured into a sweater—without requiring any new machinery.

Each year, 150 million trees are cut down to make traditional viscose rayon. In contrast, Nanollose’s Nullarbor fibre is produced without harming a single tree, using a microbial fermentation process that transforms food industry liquid waste into cellulose in just 18 days—a fraction of the eight months required for cotton cultivation. The process uses minimal land, water and energy, offering a substantially lower environmental footprint.

“We believe we are the only company producing Tree-Free Rayon fibres from waste, and we’re now scaling beyond the lab,” said Best. “As demand grows, we aim to supply progressive fashion brands seeking sustainable alternatives.”

The company is actively building a supply chain around Indonesian coconut waste and other industrial waste streams, aiming to scale up fibre production within the next 3–6 months to meet growing commercial interest.

As fashion giants like H&M and Zara commit to sustainability—through initiatives like H&M’s goal for 100% sustainable materials by 2030 and Zara’s ‘Join Life’ collection—Nanollose sees its innovation as a key solution for the industry’s urgent shift toward circularity and low-impact materials.

“We’re not just a technology company—we’re enabling a new raw material ecosystem,” added Best. “Our fibre can integrate into existing clothing supply chains without retrofitting, offering brands a practical, eco-conscious alternative.”