Microfibre Testing Services

Recent studies have revealed that the fibres in our clothes could be polluting our waterways and food chain on a massive scale. Microfibres – tiny fibres shed from fabric – have been found in abundance in the environment.

In 2023 the Environmental Science and Pollution Research published a study titled “Quantification of microfibre release from textiles during domestic laundering” by authors Alice Hazlehurst, Lucy Tiffin, Mark Sumner and Mark Taylor. The results of this study were scaled to reflect possible annual microfibre release from untreated domestic laundering in the UK. Depending on different laundering and fabric variables, these values range from 6490 tonnes to 87,165 tonnes of microfibre discharged in the UK each year.

Another 1,300 tonnes was shed during domestic machine washing and tumble drying, and over 350,000 tonnes resulted as residual waste. While the volume of fibre released during laundry contributes to a relatively low level of fibre loss, the likelihood of this fibre source entering marine ecosystems is significantly higher than other sources.

The textile industry has shown a growing awareness of the issue of fibre fragmentation. Next to being damaging to wildlife and ecosystems, there are concerns about the health risks posed to humans due to their physical presence and their ability to carry other harmful chemicals.

That is why it is important to understand the full impact of these fibres’ physical and toxicological presence. TÜV Rheinland is a signatory and an accredited laboratory to measure microfibre loss. Via scientific research we can learn more about the drivers and impacts on the ecosystem and can find the right actions to reduce these negative effects.

Founded in 2018, The Microfibre Consortium (TMC) now has more than 100 signatories from across the outdoor sector, sports, high street, luxury fashion and home textiles. TMC‘s vision is to work towards zero impact from fibre fragmentation from textiles to the natural environment. They work to connect and translate deep academic research with the reality of commercial supply chain production.

TMC also has a rapidly growing network of research institutions and affiliates from around the world, supporting the consortium’s mission for research to understand and reduce microfibre pollution. The problem is clear: microfibres have the potential to harm the environment, wildlife and people through their presence in our ecosystems from marine and freshwater environments to air and soil.

The TMC Test Method the Quantification of Fibre Release from Fabrics During Domestic Laundering; TMC Test Method, V 1.2. is an aligned and validated test method to quantify fibre release from fabrics during a simulated domestic washing cycle. The main steps of the TMC test method are:

• Laundering Procedure
• Rinsing Procedure
• Filtration Procedure

Other similarly equivalent testing standards are also excepted by the TMC:

• ISO 4484-1: 2023 – Test standard for determination of material loss from fabrics during washing, test to determine the fibre loss during the washing process using the same equipment as the TMC.
• AATCC TM212-2021 – Test standard for fibre fragment release during home laundering, this method provides a standardised method for quantifying fibre fragment shedding and is also of technical equivalence to the TMC method.

TÜV Rheinland provides comprehensive fibre fragmentation testing services to evaluate the durability and performance of textiles. With precision and quality at the heart of our process, we assess how fabrics release fibres under controlled laundering conditions, delivering critical data that ensures reliable insights into fabric performance and longevity.

Each stage of the process, through preparation, testing and final calculations, is conducted with rigorous attention to detail, in accordance with Quantification of Fibre Release from Fabrics During Domestic Laundering UoL TMC Test Method, V 1.2.

As part of our participation in The Microfibre 2030 Commitment, we are dedicated to providing result data that helps brands, retailers, and suppliers understand and mitigate the effects of fibre release. Our expertise in textile testing contributes to informed decision-making and enhances sustainability within the textile industry.

The following sections outline the various stages of our testing process, highlighting our commitment to quality and sustainability.

Our textile testing laboratories in Shenzhen, Shanghai (China), Tamilnadu, Haryana (India), Bangladesh and Alfreton (UK) are approved to conduct tests for quantifying fibre loss from fabrics during domestic laundering.

With our comprehensive testing services, we can help you to improve your business’s sustainability along your supply chain. TÜV Rheinland textile testing services can assist you to better perceive the environmental impact of your products and to stay a step ahead of legislation regarding fibres and fabrics.