According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the world discards over 92 million tonnes of textiles every year, most of which ends up in landfills or incinerators. This not only generates pollution and CO2 emissions but also wastes some really valuable material streams. Biochar offers a radical alternative: transform textile waste into carbon-negative material, and then embed it back into fabrics, shoes, and clothing.

In Japan and China, this vision is already reality.

Patent number  CN1920165A describes a method of printing textiles with bamboo charcoal powder, giving fabrics enhanced odour resistance, antibacterial action, and thermal regulation. Similarly, CN102011262A covers the production of bamboo-charcoal polyester knitted fabrics, integrating biochar directly into fibers to improve breathability and sweat absorption. On the product side, Japanese “Binchotan reflexology socks” developed with Gifu University use patented Binchotan charcoal fabric (Patent number C-21NX 2000-290826) to reduce odour and improve comfort, while Taiwanese manufacturers market bamboo-charcoal blended socks claiming over 99% deodorizing performance. These examples show that biochar textiles are not just lab concepts but protected innovations which are already moving into consumer markets.

This week, we deep dive into biochar in textiles : 

1. Biochar as a fabric additive: functional innerwear

Performance underwear must deliver moisture regulation, odour control, and long-lasting comfort. Biochar contributes naturally:

1. Moisture regulation : porous biochar absorbs and slowly releases sweat, keeping skin dry.

2. Antibacterial action : biochar surfaces inhibit bacterial growth, reducing odour without chemicals. It is an effective suggestion for people suffering from urological distress as well. 

3. Comfort integration :  milled biochar powders blend seamlessly into yarns and coatings.

Real-world example commercial product “NC-1309 Bamboo Charcoal Anti-Odor Fabric” from Taiwan Textiles is used in garments including underwear linings. Key features listed include anti-odor, bacteriostatic behaviour, soft touch etc. This shows textile manufacturers are using bamboo bamboo biochar fabrics in real products.

2. Biochar as thermal insulation: functional clothing

Outdoor and sports apparel need warmth without bulk. Biochar helps deliver:

1. Insulation : porous carbon traps air pockets, lowering heat loss.

2. Breathability : unlike synthetic foams, biochar composites allow moisture vapour to escape.

3. Lightweight integration : biochar-infused fleeces and paddings enhance warmth with minimal weight.

Real life example- University of Borås (Sweden). A current European research project explicitly converting industrial hemp waste into biochar with applications in composites and textiles (practical EU/region-level demonstration of turning fibre waste into biochar feedstock for textile applications).

3. Biochar as a deodorant: shoe soles and socks

Footwear and socks face constant sweat and odour challenges. Biochar provides a sustainable fix:

1. Odour adsorption : activated biochar binds volatile molecules responsible for foot odour.

2. Moisture absorption : insoles with biochar keep footwear drier and more comfortable.

3. Waste-to-product :  biochar insoles can be made from textile scraps or agricultural residues.

Real-world example -University of Borås (Sweden) – Baltic Hemp to Biochar (B2B project) again.

Why this matters commercially

The commercial case for biochar in apparel and footwear is compelling. Textile waste management alone represents a multi-billion-dollar challenge, and converting discarded fabrics into biochar transforms a disposal liability into a valuable input material. At the same time, consumer demand is shifting toward high-performance garments that are odour-resistant, breathable, and thermally efficient, but free from toxic chemical finishes. Bamboo, a fast-growing and widely available biomass in Asia, offers a cost-effective and scalable feedstock for producing textile-grade biochar. Regulatory momentum in both the EU and Asia is also accelerating, with new frameworks targeting microplastics, toxic additives, and waste reduction, making biochar-based textiles well positioned for compliance and brand differentiation.

Importantly, biochar production is inherently carbon-negative, creating a dual pathway of performance gains and climate finance.

Market scale:

According to industry forecasts, the global shoe insoles market was valued at US$5.6 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow steadily over the next decade (Global Market Insights, 2024). Broader market estimates suggest that the functional textiles sector could surpass US$300 billion by 2030, reflecting rising demand for performance apparel and sustainable materials. If biochar were to capture even a modest 2 - 5% substitution share across these segments, it would translate into multi-billion-dollar revenues. More importantly, this shift would help brands meet circularity goals, reduce waste, and tap into carbon-negative supply chains. In short, biochar in textiles is not just a novel material choice, it can  be a strategic lever for performance, compliance, and climate advantage.

Biochar is no longer confined to soils or construction sites ; It is now woven into the fabric of our daily lives. From underwear to outerwear to footwear, biochar is stitching together performance, sustainability, and circularity in textiles.

Biochar in textiles transforms waste into comfort, carbon into function, and sustainability into commercial opportunity.