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The Flax Company leads the way Nature Coatings

as global demand for hemp and introduces BioBlack:

linen fibers surges A carbon-negative

pigment

revolutionizing

sustainable colorants

Kevin Bratcher, President at Nature Coatings
Kevin Bratcher, President at Nature Coatings, creates a net benefit of around five metric tons of
discusses the future of sustainable pigments with carbon per ton of pigment used.
TEXtalks, shedding light on BioBlack, an
eco-innovative black pigment made from wood TEXtalks: How do you see the future of BioBlack
waste that is non-toxic, carbon-negative, and a evolving in the next 5 to 10 years?
direct alternative to petroleum-based carbon black. Kevin Bratcher: I see BioBlack becoming a go-to
Herve Denoyelle, Managing Director, The Flax Company Nature Coatings is an innovative U.S.-based solution for brands and manufacturers looking for
company focused on replacing harmful and sustainable options. More companies are focusing
Herve Denoyelle, Managing Director, The Flax well-known in Pakistan and is the only sustainable fossil-based colorants with sustainable, on creating cleaner, non-toxic products—for both
Company, discusses the rising global interest in hemp fiber certified at the Cradle to Cradle (C2C) high-performance alternatives. Their flagship workers and consumers. As sustainability becomes
sustainable flax and hemp fibers and their growing platinum level with a full Life Cycle Assessment product, BioBlack, is gaining attention in the textile a central priority, we expect demand for alternatives
role in the textile industry with TEXtalks. With more (LCA). The other is Smart Linen, a new product in and coatings industries for its ability to significantly like BioBlack to rise significantly.
than three decades of expertise in the flax and linen Pakistan, which is the only Global Recycled reduce environmental impact while delivering
industry, Herve Denoyelle leads this enterprise that Standard (GRS) certified recycled linen fiber consistent and scalable results. TEXtalks: What are the key challenges and
has become a major player in the global sustainable available. opportunities for promoting BioBlack in developing
fiber market. The company has built a strong TEXtalks: Can you explain how BioBlack is different markets like Pakistan?
reputation for its commitment to quality, innovation, TEXtalks: How do you see the future of flax-based and sustainable from traditional dyes in the Kevin Bratcher: Introducing a new product is always
and environmental responsibility. It has expanded its textiles evolving over the next 5 to 10 years? market? a challenge—especially when it's priced higher or
global reach, including into emerging markets such Herve Denoyelle: Flax has shifted from being Kevin Bratcher: BioBlack is a new, innovative requires changes in processes. But the opportunity
as Pakistan, by offering innovative fiber solutions like considered a fashion fiber to becoming a pigment made from wood waste, not petroleum. is massive. Thankfully, BioBlack is only priced
certified sustainable hemp and recycled linen. commodity, which supports steady growth. We have That’s what makes it fundamentally different. It’s slightly higher than the current market offerings and
seen consistent increases in demand over recent sustainable because it's carbon-negative and does not require any processing changes.
TEXtalks: How has the demand for hemp and linen years, and we expect this trend to continue steadily. completely free from the toxic polycyclic aromatic Sustainability is no longer a trend; it’s a global
evolved with the rise of sustainable fashion and hydrocarbons (PAHs) typically found in traditional necessity. Pakistan produces goods for international
textiles? petroleum-based pigments. markets, where sustainable materials are becoming
Herve Denoyelle: Linen has been growing very fast TEXtalks: How do you see Pakistan as a potential standard. This gives BioBlack a real opportunity to
market, considering its interest in sustainable
over the last two to three years, with huge demand materials? TEXtalks: How does Nature Coatings help grow here.
globally. Hemp demand is increasing steadily as companies reduce their carbon footprints through
well, though not as quickly as linen. Both fibers are Herve Denoyelle: Pakistan is a large and developing the use of BioBlack? TEXtalks: How has the response been from the
now becoming commodities in the textile market. market for us, especially in the denim industry and Kevin Bratcher: BioBlack being carbon negative visitors at IGATEX?
increasingly in home furnishings. However, the means that for every one metric ton used, two metric Kevin Bratcher: It’s been great so far. We’ve had a
TEXtalks: What are some recent innovations at The domestic market in Pakistan is still emerging tons of carbon are removed from the atmosphere. In lot of productive meetings, and the booth setup by
Flax Company that you would like to share with us? compared to India, where much flax fiber is comparison, petroleum-based carbon black iTextiles has been excellent. The feedback from
R
Herve Denoyelle: We have two key innovations consumed locally. We see strong potential for releases about three metric tons of carbon. So visitors has been very positive, and there’s genuine
gaining traction. One is Marmara Hemp, which is growth as sustainability gains more focus here. switching from conventional pigments to BioBlack interest in what we’re doing.

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