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Turning Monsters into Materials: Deep Sea Threads Wins the ReThink Textile Hackathon
The ReThink Textile Hackathon has found its champion, and the winning idea is as unexpected as it is groundbreaking: creating sustainable textiles from hagfish slime. These slimy, nightmare-inducing creatures became the inspiration for Deep Sea Threads, a team whose eco-friendly innovation pushed the boundaries of imagination and sustainability, securing them the top spot in the competition.
Innovating in Two Weeks
Spanning two action-packed weeks, the ReThink Textile Hackathon brought together creative minds to address the pressing challenges of the textile industry. Participants engaged in expert-led workshops, received mentorship, and accessed valuable resources to refine their solutions.
The culmination of this intense period came during the Grand Finals, where teams pitched their ideas to a panel of industry experts. The competition tested their creativity, technical skill, and dedication to sustainable innovation, making the victory of Deep Sea Threads even more impressive.
Creepy Creatures, Brilliant Solutions
When most people think of hagfish, the words “innovative textile” don’t immediately come to mind. But for Deep Sea Threads, these slimy, deep-sea creatures were the perfect solution to a complex problem: the need for sustainable alternatives to traditional textiles.
“Hagfish are really gross, disgusting animals,” said team member Michael J. Purcell. “But it’s still very interesting, and I love bad ideas. When I thought about the idea of using really disgusting creatures as a textile material, I brought it to my team, checked it out, and realised this could actually be a fun, innovative idea.”
Their concept involves harvesting the slime proteins of hagfish to create durable and versatile textiles. These proteins can be spun into fibers with properties comparable to silk, offering a biodegradable alternative to synthetic fabrics.
Beyond the science, the team’s chemistry and collaboration played a vital role in their success. “Be wild in your imagination and creativity,” reflected teammate Kingdavid Ozobodo. “Just go for it, put all your mind and heart into it. But above all, choose your team wisely. I was lucky to work with a group of passionate individuals with amazing chemistry. Working together was a joy.”
Creativity Across the Board
While Deep Sea Threads captured the spotlight, other teams brought equally impressive ideas to the table:
- Bloom-Loop Fibre: Crafted garments from discarded tulips, turning waste into wearable art while celebrating Dutch heritage.
- Urtica-Tex: Explored the untapped potential of stinging nettles as a durable and sustainable alternative to cotton.
- PALUS: Designed cattail-based baseball caps tailored to Gen Z, emphasising cattail’s adaptability to wet Dutch landscapes.
- Couchious: Presented hemp-derived modular fabrics for sustainable and stylish home furnishings.
Beyond the Competition
The hackathon wasn’t just about competition. Attendees had the opportunity of hearing from Sanabel Abdulbawab, who detailed the importance of shifting textile production entirely within Europe. Her talk highlighted how localised production models contribute to greater sustainability and transparency in the industry.
The event also featured the "My Fossil-Free Wardrobe" exhibition, presented by Paulien Harmsen, Senior Scientist in Sustainable Textiles & Biorefinery at WUR and Co-Founder of Anderlus. The exhibit showcased innovative approaches to eliminating fossil fuels from fashion, inspiring attendees to envision a greener, more sustainable wardrobe.
Partners and Collaboration
The ReThink Textile Hackathon was organised by Wageningen University & Research in collaboration with Transformative Bioeconomies and Engage4Bio. Supporting partners, including OostNL and Saxion University of Applied Sciences as part of the NewTexEco initiative, provided the resources and expertise necessary to empower participants in exploring innovative solutions for a more sustainable textile industry.