Milk fibre (casein)
Also known as: Casein fibre, Lanital, Aralac, QMilk, Azlon
Regenerated protein fibre from milk casein — silky hand, thermoregulating, can be made from non-food surplus milk.
Description
Milk fibre was patented in 1935 by Antonio Ferretti of Italy under the name Lanital and produced on a large scale in Fascist Italy as an autarkic wool substitute. It is based on casein — the main milk protein — which is dissolved in alkali, extruded through spinnerets and coagulated in an acid bath. After World War II the fibre largely disappeared as cheap acrylic hit the market.
Since the 2010s there has been a revival: German firm QMilch produces a pure casein fibre from non-food-grade surplus milk (millions of litres per year) without petrochemical additives. The hand is reminiscent of cashmere and silk, the fibre is antibacterial, skin-friendly and biodegradable. Applications are mainly in eco underwear, baby textiles and wellness swimwear.
- Regenerated protein fibre (Azlon class)
- Hand like cashmere/silk, thermoregulating
- QMilch: made from surplus milk, no petrochemical additives
- Antibacterial, skin-friendly, biodegradable
Properties
| Fibre type | Regenerated protein fibre (Azlon) |
|---|---|
| Raw material | Casein from cow milk (non-food grade) |
| Hand | Silky, soft, cashmere-like |
| Property | Antibacterial, biodegradable |
| Care | Wool cycle, ≤ 30 °C |
Related product categories
Sources & references
1- Wikipedia: Milk fiber Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk_fiber
