A report by Textile Exchange concludes that 54% of the total 113 Million tonnes of textiles produced in 2023 were polyester. And the fact that polyester is outselling a natural fiber like cotton. It won’t be exaggerating to say that polyester is becoming people’s new favorite.
Photo by Landiva Weber
This article explains what polyester is, its pros and cons, and its comparison with other fabrics. It also addresses consumers’ environmental concerns related to polyester. Let’s dive in!
Definition and Composition of Polyester
Polyester is a highly breathable artificial synthetic fiber composed of two components - terephthalic acid (PTA) and monoethylene glycol (MEG). Polyester is formed as a result of a chemical reaction which contains the following main ingredients:
- Petroleum
- Air
- Water
Invented around the 1940s, research confirms that polyester has now become the most widely used man-made synthetic fiber. It is present almost everywhere. From casual clothing to sportswear, upholstery, and curtains, polyester covers a major part of our needs. Not only is it used as a single fiber but also as a blend with other materials.
Its versatile use accounts for its existence in various types, which are:
- Ethylene polyester
- Plant-based polyester
- PCDT polyester
Ethylene polyester is the most popular type mainly used in clothing, thermoforming, food containers, and engineering resins. The plant-based polyester is mainly used to make waterproof and breathable clothes since it is biodegradable. Whereas, PCDT polyester is the most elastic and durable of all, making it a perfect fit for upholstery, etc.
Pros and Cons of polyester
In a addition to being one of the cheapest synthetic fibers, polyester has several properties that make it no less than a miracle. This section uncovers the pros (properties) and cons of polyester to help you become an informed consumer.
Pros (properties) of Polyester
-
Incredibly soft and drapey
As polyester is a polymer with filaments of continuous fiber, it can be engineered to be a really soft and supple fabric. This makes polyester perfect for clothes that need a drapey feel and finish. And who does not love dresses that flow and flatter the body?
- Retains shape
If someone refers to a shape retention champion, it must be polyester. It does not wrinkle easily and holds the cloth in shape, providing a neat look to the apparel. The wrinkle resistance property is especially beneficial to cater to specific garment needs, such as pleats, uniforms, and customized pieces.
- Highly durable
Polyester provides long-lasting durability being able to withstand long wear. It is exceptionally resilient and promises no rips and tears, perfect for making frequently used items, such as uniforms, activewear, sportswear, outdoor gear, etc.
- Dries fast
Polyester dries in a matter of minutes due to its moisture-wicking properties. Therefore, it saves you time and prevents dampness.
- Easy to iron
Due to its wrinkle-resistant nature, there’s less to no need to iron polyester clothes. Since they maintain a neat look naturally, polyester clothes are a convenient option for your busy lifestyle.
- Easy to wash
Polyester garments are machine-washable and do not require any special care. Since it's a wash-and-wear fabric, it requires minimal ironing.
- Mildew and stain-resistant
Another wonderful property is the stain resistance of polyester. It is very less likely to absorb stains, making it easy to wash. It also holds out against mildew growth, brilliantly withstanding damp environments.
- Retains heat-set pleats
An interesting property of polyester is its ability to perfectly define and maintain heat-set pleats for a long time. This eliminates the need to re-press the pleats and retains a fresh look of the garment.
- Takes dye well
The smooth texture of polyester allows dyes to absorb deeper and remain for a long time. The colors appear to be brighter and are very hard to get washed out or fade.
Cons of Polyester
As fantastic of a fabric as polyester is, it has a few drawbacks. Let’s have a look.
- You may experience unpleasant shocks or zapping while wearing polyester. It is because polyester has slow moisture absorption which makes it prone to static buildup.
- Since polyester does not allow moisture to escape, it traps the sweat and body odor in the fabric, leaving you feeling stinky.
- The tightly woven fibers make polyester a little less breathable than other natural fabrics like cotton. This might be an inconvenience in hot weather or during extreme workouts.
- One major disadvantage of polyester is its environmental impact. Since polyester manufacturing involves releasing waste material at various stages, its usage raises environmental concerns.
Sustainability and Recyclability of Polyester
The sustainability and recyclability of polyester are complex topics. Many polyester products are now made through recycled rPET (plastic bottles). This reduces the reliance on virgin resources but the recycled polyester is still not completely biodegradable. Also, its recyclability is limited to an extent and may require adding virgin resources to maintain the quality of recycled polyester.
Photo by Claudio Schwarz on Unsplash
Moreover, each stage of polyester production and processing releases waste materials, potentially impacting our environment. Its reliance on fossil fuels contributes to climate change. And some research also indicates the health concerns related to polyester.
On the other hand, polyester production consumes less water as compared to other natural fibers. The durability makes polyester products last longer and the recyclability of polyester offers reduced environmental impact.
Although these concerns can not be overlooked, polyester is considered a sustainable choice to an extent and has been a part of the consumer wardrobe for decades.
Polyester vs other fabric materials
Here’s a comparison of polyester with some of the most popular fabric options to help you understand what’s best for you:
- Cotton
Cotton is highly breathable, hypoallergenic, and sustainable as compared to cotton. However, cotton garments wrinkle easily. Its dye or print fades over time and the fabric retains moisture and is prone to mildew.
- Nylon
Nylon is almost the same as polyester in durability and strength. It is lightweight, dries fast, wrinkle-resistant, and breathable but is less heat-resistant than polyester.
- Wool
Wool is warmer, fire-resistant, and has moisture-wicking properties. However, it is expensive compared to polyester and requires special care.
- Silk
Silk is highly breathable, lightweight, and drapes beautifully. It is softer and has natural insulating properties. However, it absorbs stains that look prominent, is expensive, and requires handwashing.
Cut & Sew Custom Polyester Shirts
When it comes to trendy cut-and-sew custom shirts, polyester is an ideal fabric. Since it takes dyes well, the custom print appears to be brighter, and neater and does not fade easily. The durability allows the shirt to go a long way, without the need to get new ones designed and manufactured frequently, hence reducing the environmental impact and contributing to sustainability. They are lightweight, moisture-wicking, heat-resistant, machine-washable, and whatnot, making a perfect addition to your wardrobe.
Conclusion
Polyester is a man-made synthetic fiber whose production and usage have exceptionally outperformed natural fibers like cotton in recent years. Polyester does have a few drawbacks and environmental concerns, but it is considered sustainable, recyclable, and durable, and has a list of fantastic pros and properties, making it an ideal choice for clothing, such as cut-and-sew custom corporate shirts.