Fiber and Materials Matrix

Brands and retailers can use the Fiber and Materials Matrix to explore a range of options within a material category, seeing what each covers (and what it doesn’t), to help inform their sourcing strategies. Information on a range of raw material and fiber programs is available across cotton, wool, recycled and manmade cellulosic materials.

Scores shown in the Fiber and Materials Matrix reflect the availability of publicly accessible, organizational, and program-level evidence. Low or no scores do not necessarily indicate that an impact area is not being addressed. In some cases, practices may be supported through national or regional legislation, industry-wide norms, or other compliance mechanisms that are not captured in program documentation. Therefore, results should be interpreted as representing the level of documented evidence, not the full extent of on-the-ground practices.

Programs and standards are often developed for specific contexts – such as geographic regions, production environments (for example, large-scale farms versus smallholder farm systems), or in some cases, for global application. Due to these contextual differences, the scope and design of each standard can vary significantly. The FMM applies a standardized global assessment framework to evaluate all standards in a uniform way, supporting a consistent understanding of performance while acknowledging that each program operates within its own unique context.

To learn more about the indicators and criteria in this years survey, refer to the Fiber and Materials Matrix Survey. For information on a program’s production system, legislative context, or other commitments and outcomes not reflected in the Fiber and Materials Matrix, we encourage you to reach out to the program directly or contact us at matrix@textileexchange.org

English is the official language of Textile Exchange documents and tools. For any questions related to the accuracy of the information contained in any translation, refer to the official English version. Although reasonable care was taken in the preparation of this tool, the tool is provided without warranty, either expressed or implied, of accuracy or fitness for purpose, and Textile Exchange hereby disclaims any liability, direct or indirect, for damages or loss relating to the use of this tool. The information contained in this tool does not replace or imply compliance with any legal or regulatory requirements. Potential environmental savings (impacts) associated with the use of preferred renewable or recycled raw materials are based on Cascale’s Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI) version 3.6. These calculations include only fiber-level impacts and exclude impacts from finished material manufacturing. For the calculation of full material and product manufacturing and life cycles, please visit Higg.org.