When producing clothes, the fashion industry uses a lot of materials. They can typically be separated into three basic categories: plant-based like cotton, synthetic like polyester, or animal-derived like silk.. Cupro is a curious mix of all three types, made from a combination of recycled plant-based fibres, treated with chemicals, and in the end, resembling silk. Like other rayon-type fabrics, cupro is a popular semi-synthetic option produced almost exclusively in China. But exactly what is cupro fabric? How is it made? And is it sustainable and ethical? Read on to find out.
Cupro is a ‘regenerated cellulose’ fabric made from cotton waste. It is made using the tiny silky cotton fibres, known as linter, that stick out of the cottonseed and are too small to spin. The linter is dissolved into a cuprammonium solution, which is a mixture of copper and ammonium, dropped into caustic soda, then spun into fibre. Much like tencel and modal, cupro is a plant-based material that is chemically produce the resulting fabric.
Cupro is said to have all the positive qualities of silk: it’s silky-smooth and drapes just like the luxurious material. First invented in the 1900s in Germany, cupro is also commonly known as ‘Bemberg’ (from the German manufacturer, J.P. Bemberg), as well as ‘ammonia silk’ and ‘cuprammonium rayon’.
The good news first: cupro is a by-product of cotton production, so it is technically a recycled textile.
Since cupro is plant-based—unlike silk which comes from silkworms—it is vegan and cruelty-free. Plus, unlike silk again, it is machine washable, which is more eco-friendly than the dry cleaning required for delicate silk garments.
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