Saudi Fashion Commission Launches Breakthrough Red Sea Seaweed Textile At Misk Global Forum
The Saudi Fashion Commission has introduced a pioneering bio-based textile made from Red Sea seaweed, marking a significant leap in the Kingdom’s sustainable fashion ambitions. The announcement was made at the Misk Global Forum, where the Commission showcased garments crafted from the new material at The Lab, its dedicated product development studio.
The debut took place during the forum’s panel discussion, Fabric of the Future: Red Sea Seaweed Textile, featuring Fashion Commission CEO Burak Çakmak, KAUST Beacon Development (KBD) COO Fiona Symes, and PYRATEX® CEO Regina Polanco. Together, they outlined how scientific research, advanced manufacturing, and creative innovation converged to bring this project to life.
The textile is the result of a multi-year collaboration between the Fashion Commission, KAUST, and PYRATEX®. Leveraging KAUST’s leading expertise in marine algae, KBD carried out responsible surveys and harvesting of Red Sea seaweed, protecting marine ecosystems while preserving the bioactive properties of the algae. This sustainably collected biomass forms the foundation of a fully traceable, eco-conscious fiber designed in line with the Kingdom’s environmental priorities.
Speaking at the event, Burak Çakmak said, “This material represents a milestone in our mission to build a future-focused, sustainable fashion ecosystem in Saudi Arabia. It demonstrates how local resources, scientific excellence, and creative talent can come together to deliver solutions for the global fashion industry.”
Fiona Symes highlighted the scientific achievement, “By analyzing the biochemical properties of Red Sea seaweed, we were able to integrate local algae species into an innovative blended yarn. This project shows how KAUST’s research can directly support new economic opportunities for the Kingdom.”
Working with PYRATEX®, the seaweed biomass was combined with Lyocell to produce a new-generation textile fiber. The resulting fabric, blending Lyocell with algae additives and organic cotton, offers natural origins, skin-friendly benefits and end-to-end supply chain transparency.
In a first for Saudi Arabia, the Fashion Commission transformed the fabric into finished garments at The Lab, proving the potential to convert local, sustainable materials into wearable fashion entirely within the Kingdom.
The Red Sea Seaweed Project signals a major step forward in Saudi Arabia’s strategy to drive material innovation, reduce environmental impact and nurture a world-leading sustainable fashion industry. With this breakthrough, the Fashion Commission sets the stage for future advancements in bio-based textiles and positions the Kingdom as an emerging hub for next-generation fashion technologies.
