The Fiber and Materials Matrix is an interactive tool to help assess the performance of different sustainability standards, branded materials, and programs.
The Fiber and Materials Matrix (formerly the Preferred Fiber and Materials Matrix, or PFMM) is a tool designed to provide sustainability standards systems, branded fibers, and improvement programs with a consistent way to assess their performance. It helps them move collectively toward beneficial outcomes — while also guiding brands in making more informed sourcing decisions.
Goals
Driving beneficial outcomes from the start of the value chain.
The Fiber and Materials Matrix brings Textile Exchange’s LCA+ approach to life, recognizing that it’s essential to go beyond lifecycle assessment data when evaluating the impacts of different fiber and raw material production systems. The tool enables owners of sustainability standards systems, branded fibers, and improvement programs to assess themselves against a shared framework and identify opportunities for improvement. 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.
How it works
Holistically assessing fiber and materials programs
Development
We have updated the Fiber and Materials Matrix to function as a self-assessment tool.
In 2025, several key improvements were made:
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The content and structure were streamlined to align with Textile Exchange’s “Preferred Fibers and Materials: Definitions,” which are organized around five core pillars: Climate, Nature, People, Animals, and Governance.
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The Matrix is now designed as a self-assessment tool, supported by an online platform and an external review process, which will be piloted in 2025.
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The methodology has been refined to better apply across a wider range of initiatives, including standard systems, branded fibers, and improvement programs.
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It has been further aligned with external frameworks such as Science Based Targets for Nature and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance.
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Additional material categories have been brought into scope as part of the methodology update.
The results dashboard will go live in Q4 of 2025, following the completion of self-assessments by Tier 4 programs and third-party review of the results.
