So it may not be bamboo—which is our featured theme for this week—but it does include significant incorporation of another fast-growing grass that’s beyond plentiful.

Yes, the humble corn kernel takes center stage in the exciting relaunch of Ultrafabrics’ Volar Bio line. Initially debuting in 2019, the collection of resilient, versatile fabric now enjoys more than a double-dose of sustainable material. To quote Ultrafabrics, “The line now has a 66% mix of recycled, rapidly renewable and bio-based content – a remarkable achievement in sustainable innovation.” The figure also represents the brand’s increasing capacity to incorporate bio-based material, as it’s up from the original 29% in 2019.

The key addition here is corn, “Dent corn,” to be precise, which is the common yellow variety so named for the small indentation at the crown of each kernel. This type of corn is ideally suited for conversion into Susterra 1,3 propanediol, Ultrafabrics’ proprietary petroleum-free raw material that’s cultivated using regenerative practices: “a key ingredient for producing bio-based resins for leather alternatives.”

Apart from the addition of Susterra, the backcloth construction remains the same, containing Ultrafabrics’ Repreve recycled polyester and Ecovera viscose.

Volar Bio’s signature soft feel makes it ideal for multiple applications in a variety of venues, including hospitality, workspace, retail, healthcare, and residential. The lines’ mass appeal is reflected in Ultrafabrics’ broad base of clients, which includes renowned brands such as MillerKnoll, Jaguar, Land Rover, Google Fitbit, Virgin Galactic, and Gulfstream Aerospace.

See Ultrafabrics to find out more.