The textile industry must undergo a radical transformation to become truly circular, local, and regenerative. Today, 35% of environmental microplastics come from synthetic, petroleum-based fibres – materials that are inherently non-biodegradable and represent a fundamental design flaw. To address this, we must transition from fossil-based inputs to renewable, locally sourced resources. A key barrier lies in access: while experimentation drives innovation, most designers and small-scale innovators lack the infrastructure needed to process and prototype new biomaterials. Without accessible tools, progress toward sustainable alternatives remains limited.

 

The wet biofibre spinner is the first open-source wet spinning machine for small-scale, bio-based fibre production, bridging low-tech experimentation and high-tech textile development. By enabling the development and production of biodegradable fibres at a small scale, the machine empowers designers, researchers, and communities to directly participate in material innovation.

 

By hacking and democratizing this technology, we can unlock new possibilities for regenerative textiles – where fibres are not only renewable and biodegradable, but also part of a circular ecosystem that prioritizes local production, resource stewardship, and environmental health.

The wet biofibre spinner was developed through extensive research on lab-scale wet spinning technologies, assessing the advantages and limitations of existing systems. Because these machines are costly, access is largely restricted to large corporations and research institutions, leaving innovators with limited opportunities to experiment and develop bio-based fibres. To overcome these barriers, an open-source, accessible, and simple machine was designed using 3D-printed parts and materials readily available at hardware stores. Multiple prototypes were built, tested with various bio-based spinning solutions, and iteratively refined to optimize performance and usability.

 

Comprehensive documentation – including a step-by-step assembly manual, all 3D printing files, and a complete materials list – was produced to ensure the machine is reproducible, adaptable, and accessible to designers, researchers, and small-scale innovators in bio-based fibre production.