The origin of artificial and synthetic materials
Did you know that synthetic and artificial materials do not have the same origin?
In common parlance, the terms “artificial” and “synthetic” are often used interchangeably, creating confusion about their true meanings. It is important to understand that these two types of materials have distinct origins, which has a significant impact on their properties and manufacturing.
Artificial materials:
Artificial textile materials come from natural sources. The fibres are extracted from the cellulose present in wood or other plant materials and then chemically transformed into threads. With these threads, fabrics with properties such as softness and shine can be created. The most common artificial materials are viscose and acetate.
Synthetic materials:
Conversely, synthetic textiles are made entirely in a laboratory from chemicals, often derived from non-renewable resources such as petroleum. Synthetic materials can have interesting properties such as elasticity, waterproofness, strength, wrinkle resistance, heat transfer, etc. Common synthetic textiles are polyester, nylon and elastane (polyurethane base).
Polyester Jacquard fabric from Dutel
Understanding the difference between man-made and synthetic textile materials is essential for consumers who want to make informed choices about comfort, durability and environmental impact.