Threading the Future at the Fragmented Fibres Symposium

Posted by Design Studio

Threading the Future at the Fragmented Fibres Symposium

Written by Holly Roberts, PhD Student at the University of Exeter

I recently had the pleasure of attending the Fragmented Fibres (Including Microplastics) Symposium, hosted by Professor Muhammad Tausif at the University of Leeds. The event was held in the beautiful Glass Studio at the School of Design, which, surprisingly, let in some well-needed sunshine.

A Little Apprehension and a Lot of Learning

Coming from a background in Biology and Environmental Science, stepping into the world of textiles is new to me—and, if I’m being honest, a little intimidating. I always feel nervous at the start of these events, often leaving with a list of twenty new terms to look up and pages of notes. However, the experience is invaluable.

Highlights From the Symposium

Attending gave me the chance to hear from experts in the fashion and textile sector, offering diverse and in-depth perspectives on fibre pollution. The friendly and passionate nature of everyone involved made the experience even more enjoyable. Some of my personal highlights of the day include:

• Dr Abdul Jabbar and Alma Palacios-Marín summarised the key findings of the EPSRC funded project “STOP fibrous microplastic pollution from textiles by elucidating fibre damage and manufacturing novel textiles”, highlighting how different material types and structures affect fibre fragmentation
• Alice Hazlehurst explained why literature estimates in fibre fragmentation may vary due to reporting discrepancies and methodology, and how to quantify fibre fragmentation during the laundering process
• Ángel Palacios-Marín from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile showcased videos of real-time fibre fragmentation using Particle Image Velocimetry

Panel Discussion

The event was also a great opportunity to reconnect with fellow Future Fibre members and hear their insights on fibre pollution. Professor Tamara Galloway and Professor Paul Kay, joined by Dr. Mark Taylor and Elliot Bland from The Microfibre Consortium, led a discussion on the present and future of fibre pollution. Topics covered included the sources of fibre waste, knowledge gaps, impacts, mitigation strategies, and how to handle washing machine and vacuum filters once they’re full. A key takeaway was the emphasis on considering the entire garment supply chain and end-of-life.

What is ‘Natural’?

One thing that particularly stuck with me was Professor Richard Blackburn’s presentation on his PhD student Olivia Skillbeck’s research into the biodegradation of cellulosic fibers. Cotton is often called a ‘natural’ material and thought by many to be better for the environment. However, after all the chemical and physical processing it undergoes for use in textiles, can we still truly call it natural?

The Long Journey Home

As I rushed to the station and stood on a packed train back to Exeter (passing through Cheltenham just as the races ended – poor timing on my part!) I had plenty of time to reflect on my PhD so far. Although I’m only six months in, being part of the Future Fibres Network has already shown me the power of cross-disciplinary collaboration. To tackle the complex issue of fibre pollution effectively, we must unite and combine our expertise – only then do we stand a chance.