Fashion for Good has launched the Mass Balance Demonstrator project, a collaborative industry initiative aimed at scaling the adoption of mass balance attribution (MBA) for biomass-attributed polyester (PET) in textile applications. The project marks a significant step toward accelerating decarbonisation across the global apparel value chain.
While bio-based and next-generation materials offer strong potential for reducing emissions, their adoption remains limited due to high costs and lack of large-scale infrastructure. The MBA model addresses this challenge by enabling renewable and fossil-based feedstocks to be processed together, while accurately tracking and allocating renewable content through certified systems.
How Mass Balance Attribution Works
Under the MBA system, renewable feedstocks such as agricultural waste or used cooking oil are introduced into existing production systems alongside conventional fossil inputs. Although the materials become chemically indistinguishable during processing, a verified accounting system tracks the proportion of renewable input and assigns it to final products accordingly.
For example, if 30% of the input feedstock is renewable, an equivalent share of the output—such as polyester yarn—can be labelled as biomass-attributed. This ensures transparency while preventing double counting, as certified attributes are strictly monitored and audited.
Driving Industry Collaboration
The project brings together key industry players including Indorama Ventures, BESTSELLER, Textile Exchange, and other global partners across the value chain. The initiative aims to create a scalable model that can be adopted widely across the apparel industry.
Key Objectives of the Project
- Production of biomass-attributed materials: Demonstrating real-world manufacturing of PET resin and yarns using renewable inputs
- Climate impact assessment: Developing a full lifecycle greenhouse gas model to measure decarbonisation benefits
- Scalability roadmap: Creating a blueprint for industry-wide adoption, including supply chain and economic feasibility
- Standardisation support: Contributing insights to global climate frameworks and certification systems
Accelerating Decarbonisation in Fashion
Polyester remains one of the most widely used fibres in the apparel industry, making it a critical focus for emissions reduction. By leveraging existing infrastructure, the MBA approach offers a practical and immediate pathway to integrate renewable feedstocks without waiting for entirely new production systems.
The initiative is expected to play a key role in bridging the gap between innovation and large-scale adoption, helping brands transition toward more sustainable material sourcing while maintaining performance and cost efficiency.
Industry Outlook
As sustainability regulations tighten and demand for low-impact materials rises, solutions like mass balance attribution are gaining traction. By enabling scalable adoption of bio-based inputs, the project sets the stage for faster decarbonisation and a more circular textile economy.
