The Regional Fiber Manufacturing Initiative

Catalyzing a Regenerative West Coast Fiber System

The Regional Fiber Manufacturing Initiative (RFMI) is developing a manufacturing system to regionalize the production of textiles, and foster climate solutions and community prosperity.

Local supply networks offer a significant reduction in fashion’s climate footprint: for wool, cotton, and linen we estimate ballpark manufacturing emissions reductions of about 75% when comparing renewable energy-powered local production to international or domestic production powered by grid energy.

In the Western United States, our current supply of natural fibers could provide for our clothing and textile needs while supporting Climate Beneficial agriculture and growing an equitable industry from soil to skin.The RFMI is working across manufacturing systems and with individual entrepreneurs, providing strategic visioning and technical assistance. By engaging stakeholders and experts throughout a circular soil-to-soil system, the RFMI identifies and prioritizes needs and designs solutions throughout the regional value chain.

Read more at https://fibershed.org/programs/regional-textile-economies/the-regional-fiber-manufacturing-initiative/