The aim of SwissNettle Textile is to research the potential of the "large stinging nettle" (Urtica dioica) for textile applications. The SpinLab at Lucerne School of Design, Film and Art enables us to test and prototype these nettle fibers into yarns and twines in various blends with other natural and cellulose fibers.

Even though the stinging nettle has fewer fibers than the cultivated fiber nettle, its main advantages are the added value for biodiversity in agriculture and its robustness. The yarns and twines are woven and knitted to test their suitability as alternative for diverse textile products. Further fields of application are food, medicine, fertilizer and animal feed.

Funding: Zürcher Stiftung für Textilforschung ZSFT
Project partner: Swiss Nettle GmbH
Project collaboration: SlowGrow GmbH, Lukas Müller, Marianne Leupin (ZHAW), Iwan Bischof (STF), Martin Klöti (Genossenschaft Glärnisch Textil), Institut für Textilchemie und Textilphysik (Dornbirn), Oliver Feig